For the 2025 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 17,401 students in Forrest County, MS (there are 8 private schools, serving 2,452 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Forrest County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Forrest County, MS are Oak Grove High School, Petal High School and Petal Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Forrest County, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Forrest County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 58% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Forrest County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Oak Grove High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5198 Old Highway11
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-7232
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-7232
Grades: 9-12
| 1,772 students
Rank: #22.
Petal High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1145 Highway 42 E
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 583-3538
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 583-3538
Grades: 9-12
| 1,335 students
Rank: #33.
Petal Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1179 Hwy 42 E
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 582-7454
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 582-7454
Grades: 3-4
| 631 students
Rank: #44.
Petal Upper Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
400 Hillcrest Loop
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660
Grades: 5-6
| 665 students
Rank: #55.
Bellevue Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1760 Old Highway 24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-6724
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-6724
Grades: PK-5
| 1,179 students
Rank: #66.
Petal Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
203 East Central Avenue
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-6301
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-6301
Grades: 7-8
| 680 students
Rank: #77.
Dixie Attendance Center
(Math: 64% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
790 Elks Lake Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-4890
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-4890
Grades: PK-8
| 507 students
Rank: #88.
Longleaf Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5279 W. 4th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-3858
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-3858
Grades: PK-5
| 751 students
Rank: #99.
Woodley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2006 O Ferrell St
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-8112
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-8112
Grades: PK-5
| 461 students
Rank: #1010.
Oak Grove Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2543 Old Hwy.24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-4634
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-4634
Grades: 6-8
| 1,286 students
Rank: #1111.
Runnelstown Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
9214 Highway 42
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 544-2811
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 544-2811
Grades: K-5
| 200 students
Rank: #1212.
Forrest County Agricultural Hi School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
215 Old Hwy 49 East
Brooklyn, MS 39425
(601) 582-4741
Brooklyn, MS 39425
(601) 582-4741
Grades: 9-12
| 586 students
Rank: #1313.
Rowan Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 Martin Luther King Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Grades: PK-5
| 388 students
Rank: #1414.
South Forrest Attendance Center
(Math: 52% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8 Burborne Street
Brooklyn, MS 39425
(601) 545-7714
Brooklyn, MS 39425
(601) 545-7714
Grades: PK-8
| 565 students
Rank: #1515.
North Forrest Attendance Center
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
702 Eatonville Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6466
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6466
Grades: K-6
| 214 students
Rank: #1616.
Hattiesburg High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 Hutchinson Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 544-0811
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 544-0811
Grades: 9-12
| 988 students
Rank: #1717.
Oak Grove Upper Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1760 Old Hwy. 24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-6724
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-6724
Grades: 4-5
| 628 students
Rank: #1818.
Grace Christian Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2207 W 7th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0662
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0662
Grades: PK-5
| 345 students
Rank: #1919.
Rawls Springs Attendance Center
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 Archie Smith Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 268-2217
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 268-2217
Grades: PK-6
| 215 students
Rank: #2020.
North Forrest High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
693 Eatonville Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-9304
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-9304
Grades: 7-12
| 347 students
Rank: #2121.
Hawkins Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
901 Ida Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Grades: PK-5
| 289 students
Rank: #2222.
Thames Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2900 Jamestown Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 582-6655
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 582-6655
Grades: PK-5
| 537 students
Rank: #2323.
N R Burger Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
174 Wsf Tatum Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-0536
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-0536
Grades: 7-8
| 533 students
Rank: #2424.
Hattiesburg Steam Academy
(Math: 41% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
176 Wsf Tatum Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Grades: 6
| 205 students
Rank: #2525.
Earl Travillion Attendance Center
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
316 Travillion Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-9303
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-9303
Grades: PK-8
| 258 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lillie Burney Learning Center
Alternative School
901 Ida Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6311
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6311
Grades: 4-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
70 Leaf Lane
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-9764
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-9764
Grades: PK-5
| 747 students
Rank: n/an/a
60 Herrington Road
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Grades: PK-2
| 1,089 students
Forrest County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
301 Hutchinson Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 544-0811
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 544-0811
Grades: 9
| 342 students
901 Ida Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Grades: PK-6
| 391 students
526 Forrest Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Grades: K-6
| 373 students
5489 Highway 42
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Grades: K-6
| 337 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Forrest County, MS?
The top ranked public schools in Forrest County, MS include Oak Grove High School, Petal High School and Petal Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Forrest County?
28 public schools are located in Forrest County.
What percentage of students in Forrest County go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Forrest County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Forrest County?
Forrest County public schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 58% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Forrest County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Forrest County include: Petal High School vs. Oak Grove High School, Oak Grove Elementary School vs. Longleaf Elementary School, Hawkins Elementary School vs. Grace Christian Elementary School
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