Best Forrest County Public Preschools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 7,331 students in Forrest County, MS.
The top ranked public preschools in Forrest County, MS are Longleaf Elementary School, Dixie Attendance Center and Bellevue Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Forrest County, MS public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the Mississippi public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 43% statewide average). Pre schools in Forrest County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Mississippi public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public preschool average of 55% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Forrest County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Longleaf Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5279 W. 4th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-3858
Gr: PK-5 | 751 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #22.
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 | 507 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #33.
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 | 1,179 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #44.
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 | 461 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #55.
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 | 345 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
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 | 388 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Rank: #77.
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 | 565 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #88.
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 | 215 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #99.
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 | 289 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1010.
Thames Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Jamestown Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 582-6655
Gr: PK-5 | 537 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 258 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
70 Leaf Lane
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-9764
Gr: PK-5 | 747 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: n/an/a
Petal Primary School
60 Herrington Road
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Gr: PK-2 | 1,089 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Forrest County, MS

Forrest County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
301 Hutchinson Ave
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
Gr: PK-6 | 391 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
526 Forrest Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-4311
Gr: K-6 | 373 students Minority enrollment: 99%
5489 Highway 42
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0960
Gr: K-6 | 337 students Minority enrollment: 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public preschools in Forrest County, MS?
The top ranked public preschools in Forrest County, MS include Longleaf Elementary School, Dixie Attendance Center and Bellevue Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Forrest County?
13 public preschools are located in Forrest County.
What is the racial composition of students in Forrest County?
Forrest County public preschools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public preschools average of 55% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Forrest County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.