For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 11,229 students in Jones County, MS (there are 4 private schools, serving 895 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Jones County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jones County, MS are Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, West Jones High School and Glade Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jones County, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Jones County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Jones County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1125 North 5th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-7446
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-7446
Gr: PK-6 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
West Jones High School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
254 Springhill Road
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 729-8144
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 729-8144
Gr: 7-13 | 1,585 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Glade Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
990 Highway 15 South
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 428-4265
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 428-4265
Gr: PK-6 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Moselle Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
168 Rayner Road
Moselle, MS 39459
(601) 582-7586
Moselle, MS 39459
(601) 582-7586
Gr: PK-6 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
South Jones High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
313 Anderson Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-8451
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-8451
Gr: 7-13 | 1,295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
South Jones Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
27 Warrior Road
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-3577
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-3577
Gr: PK-6 | 1,129 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
West Jones Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5652 Highway 84 West
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 439-4823
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 439-4823
Gr: PK-6 | 1,114 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #88.
East Jones Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
108 Northeast Drive
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-9799
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-9799
Gr: PK-6 | 794 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #99.
North Jones Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
650 Trace Road
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 426-6632
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 426-6632
Gr: PK-6 | 854 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1010.
Northeast Jones High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
68 Northeast Drive
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-2347
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-2347
Gr: 7-13 | 937 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1111.
Laurel High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1100 W 12th Street
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4145
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4145
Gr: 9-12 | 732 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Laurel Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Grandview Drive
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5312
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5312
Gr: 7-8 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1205 Oak Park Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5046
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5046
Gr: PK-1 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Laurel Upper Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
600 South 16th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-8573
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-8573
Gr: 5-6 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Jones Co Career & Technical Education Center
Vocational School
2409 Moose Drive
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 425-2378
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 425-2378
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Jones County Learning Center
Alternative School
301 N. Deason Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 428-8800
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 428-8800
Gr: 3-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laurel Education Center
Alternative School
795 South 19th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-5195
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-5195
Gr: 4-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laurel High School Voc Complex
Vocational School
1100 W 11th Street
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4144
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4144
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
1305 Martin Luther King Ave
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 438-3140
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 438-3140
Gr: 2-4 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Jones County, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Jones County, MS include Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, West Jones High School and Glade Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Jones County?
19 public schools are located in Jones County.
What percentage of students in Jones County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Jones County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jones County?
Jones County public schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Jones County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Jones County include: Oak Park Elementary School vs. Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, Laurel High School vs. West Jones High School, North Jones Elementary School vs. West Jones Elementary School
Recent Articles
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.
