For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 4,176 students in Forrest County, MS.
The top ranked public middle schools in Forrest County, MS are Petal Middle School, Dixie Attendance Center and Oak Grove Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Forrest County, MS public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the Mississippi public middle school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 39% statewide average). Middle schools in Forrest County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Mississippi public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public middle school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Forrest County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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
Gr: 7-8 | 680 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
North Forrest High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
693 Eatonville Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-9304
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-9304
Gr: 7-12 | 347 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #66.
N R Burger Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
174 Wsf Tatum Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-0536
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 582-0536
Gr: 7-8 | 533 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
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
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 middle schools in Forrest County, MS?
The top ranked public middle schools in Forrest County, MS include Petal Middle School, Dixie Attendance Center and Oak Grove Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Forrest County?
8 public middle schools are located in Forrest County.
What is the racial composition of students in Forrest County?
Forrest County public middle schools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public middle schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Forrest County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Forrest County include: Petal Middle School vs. Oak Grove Middle School, Oak Grove Middle School vs. Petal Middle School
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