For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public middle schools serving 4,224 students in Jones County, MS.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Jones County, MS are West Jones High School, South Jones High School and Northeast Jones High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jones County, MS public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Mississippi public middle school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 39% statewide average). Middle schools in Jones County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Mississippi public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public middle school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Jones County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Jones High School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
254 Springhill Road
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 729-8144
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 729-8144
Gr: 7-13 | 1,585 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
South Jones High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
313 Anderson Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-8451
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-8451
Gr: 7-13 | 1,295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #33.
Northeast Jones High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
68 Northeast Drive
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-2347
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-2347
Gr: 7-13 | 937 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #44.
Laurel Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Grandview Drive
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5312
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5312
Gr: 7-8 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Jones Co Career & Technical Education Center
Vocational School
2409 Moose Drive
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 425-2378
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 425-2378
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laurel Education Center
Alternative School
795 South 19th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-5195
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-5195
Gr: 4-12
Jones County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Jones County Learning Center (Closed)
Alternative School
301 N. Deason Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 428-8800
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 428-8800
Gr: 3-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Jones County, MS?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Jones County, MS include West Jones High School, South Jones High School and Northeast Jones High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Jones County?
7 public middle schools are located in Jones County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jones County?
Jones County public middle schools minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public middle schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Jones County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Jones County include: Northeast Jones High School vs. West Jones High School, South Jones High School vs. West Jones High School, Laurel Education Center vs. Jones Co Career & Technical Education Center
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.