For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public elementary schools serving 11,160 students in Forrest County, MS.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Forrest County, MS are Petal Elementary School, 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 57% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Forrest County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Petal Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1179 Hwy 42 E
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 582-7454
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 582-7454
Gr: 3-4 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Petal Upper Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
400 Hillcrest Loop
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660
Gr: 5-6 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
Longleaf Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5279 W. 4th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-3858
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-3858
Gr: PK-5 | 751 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #44.
Dixie Attendance Center
(Math: 61% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
790 Elks Lake Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-4890
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-4890
Gr: PK-8 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #55.
Bellevue Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1760 Old Highway 24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-6724
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-6724
Gr: PK-5 | 1,179 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #66.
North Forrest Attendance Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
702 Eatonville Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6466
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6466
Gr: K-6 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #77.
Oak Grove Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2543 Old Hwy.24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-4634
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-4634
Gr: 6-8 | 1,286 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #99.
Grace Christian Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2207 W 7th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0662
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0662
Gr: PK-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Rowan Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 Martin Luther King Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Gr: PK-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #1111.
South Forrest Attendance Center
(Math: 59% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8 Burborne Street
Brooklyn, MS 39425
(601) 545-7714
Brooklyn, MS 39425
(601) 545-7714
Gr: PK-8 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1212.
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
Gr: 4-5 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1313.
Rawls Springs Attendance Center
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1414.
Runnelstown Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9214 Highway 42
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 544-2811
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 544-2811
Gr: K-5 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1515.
Hawkins Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
901 Ida Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1616.
Thames Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2900 Jamestown Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 582-6655
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 582-6655
Gr: PK-5 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1717.
Hattiesburg Steam Academy
(Math: 41% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
176 Wsf Tatum Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Gr: 6 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Earl Travillion Attendance Center
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
316 Travillion Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-9303
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-9303
Gr: PK-8 | 258 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
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 584-6311
Gr: 4-12
Rank: n/an/a
70 Leaf Lane
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-9764
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-9764
Gr: PK-5 | 747 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: n/an/a
60 Herrington Road
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Gr: PK-2 | 1,089 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Forrest County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
301 Hutchinson Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 544-0811
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 544-0811
Gr: 9 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
901 Ida Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-5291
Gr: PK-6 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
526 Forrest Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Gr: K-6 | 373 students Minority enrollment: 99%
5489 Highway 42
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Gr: K-6 | 337 students Minority enrollment: 98%
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 School, 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 57% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Forrest County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Forrest County include: Oak Grove Elementary School vs. Longleaf Elementary School, Hawkins Elementary School vs. Grace Christian Elementary School, Rowan Elementary School vs. Thames Elementary School
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