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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Forrest County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public elementary schools serving 11,160 students in Forrest County, MS.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Forrest County, MS are Petal Elementary 3-4, Petal Upper Elementary School and Longleaf Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Forrest County, MS public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Mississippi public elementary school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 43% statewide average). Elementary schools in Forrest County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Mississippi public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Forrest County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Petal Elementary 3-4
(Math: 72% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1179 Hwy 42 E
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-9400
Gr: 3-4 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #22.
Petal Upper Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
400 Hillcrest Loop
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660
Gr: 5-6 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #33.
Longleaf Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5279 W. 4th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 261-6892
Gr: PK-5 | 787 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #44.
Dixie Attendance Center
(Math: 61% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
790 Elks Lake Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-4890
Gr: PK-8 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #55.
Bellevue Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1760 Old Highway 24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-6724
Gr: PK-5 | 1,145 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #66.
North Forrest Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
702 Eatonville Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6466
Gr: PK-6 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #77.
Oak Grove Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2543 Old Hwy.24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 261-4132
Gr: 6-8 | 1,160 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #88.
Woodley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2006 O Ferrell St
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-8112
Gr: PK-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #99.
Grace Christian Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2207 W 7th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0662
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Rowan Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
500 Martin Luther King Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #1111.
South Forrest Attendance Center
(Math: 59% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8 Burborne Street
Brooklyn, MS 39425
(601) 545-7714
Gr: PK-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1212.
Rawls Springs Attendance Center
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10 Archie Smith Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 268-2217
Gr: PK-6 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1313.
Runnelstown School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
9214 Highway 42
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 544-2811
Gr: K-5 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1414.
Hawkins Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
901 Ida Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Gr: PK-5 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1515.
Thames Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Jamestown Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 582-6655
Gr: PK-5 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
Hattiesburg Steam Academy
(Math: 41% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
176 Wsf Tatum Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Gr: 6 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1717.
Earl Travillion Attendance Center
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
316 Travillion Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-9303
Gr: PK-8 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Lillie Burney Learning Center
Alternative School
901 Ida Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6311
Gr: 4-12
Rank: n/an/a
Oak Grove Elementary School
70 Leaf Lane
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-9764
Gr: PK-5 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Petal Primary School
60 Herrington Road
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Gr: PK-2 | 1,016 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Forrest County, MS?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Forrest County, MS include Petal Elementary 3-4, Petal Upper Elementary School and Longleaf Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Forrest County?
21 public elementary schools are located in Forrest County.
What is the racial composition of students in Forrest County?
Forrest County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Forrest County are often viewed compared to one another?

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