For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 8,327 students in Laurel, MS (there are 1 private school, serving 168 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Laurel, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Laurel, MS are Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, West Jones High School and Glade Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Laurel, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Laurel have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Laurel, MS (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1125 North 5th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-7446
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-7446
Gr: PK-6 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
Glade Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
990 Highway 15 South
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 428-4265
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 428-4265
Gr: PK-6 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
West Jones Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5652 Highway 84 West
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 439-4823
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 439-4823
Gr: PK-6 | 1,114 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #55.
East Jones Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
108 Northeast Drive
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-9799
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-9799
Gr: PK-6 | 794 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #66.
North Jones Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
650 Trace Road
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 426-6632
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 426-6632
Gr: PK-6 | 854 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
Laurel High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1100 W 12th Street
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4145
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4145
Gr: 9-12 | 732 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1205 Oak Park Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5046
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5046
Gr: PK-1 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
Laurel Upper Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
600 South 16th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-8573
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-8573
Gr: 5-6 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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
Rank: n/an/a
Laurel High School Voc Complex
Vocational School
1100 W 11th Street
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4144
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4144
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
1305 Martin Luther King Ave
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 438-3140
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 438-3140
Gr: 2-4 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Laurel, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Laurel, MS include Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, West Jones High School and Glade Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Laurel?
15 public schools are located in Laurel.
What percentage of students in Laurel go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Laurel are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Laurel?
Laurel public schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Laurel are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Laurel include: North Jones Elementary School vs. West Jones Elementary School, West Jones Elementary School vs. North Jones Elementary School, Laurel High School vs. West Jones High School
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