Home > Mississippi > Forrest County

Petal School District

Item: Petal School District
Rating: 10
Author: Public School Review

103 East Central Ave.
Petal, MS 39465

( shown in map)

10/

Top 5%

Tel: (601) 545-3002

Top Rankings

Petal School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Mississippi for:

Overview

This School District

This State (MS)

# Schools

5 Schools

1,028 Schools

# Students

4,250 Students

432,864 Students

# Teachers

327 Teachers

30,920 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Petal School District	Mississippi
Pre-K	81	66
Kind	313	203
1	320	211
2	302	205
3	324	212
4	312	195
5	311	193
6	321	191
7	343	204
8	302	210
9	348	207
10	357	213
11	356	204
12	260	191

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Petal School District, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 147 school districts in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 98% has increased from 88% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (MS)

#5 out of 148 school districts
(Top 5%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Petal School District
2023	#5
2022	#5
2021	#1
2019	#1
2018	#1
2017	#1
2016	#3
2015	#2
2014	#21
2013	#7
2012	#5
2011	#5
2010	#3

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

74%

52%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	74%	52%
2022	72%	47%
2021	68%	37%
2019	76%	46%
2018	74%	43%
2017	69%	37%
2016	57%	31%
2015	51%	27%
2014	72%	64%
2013	82%	68%
2012	82%	64%
2011	82%	62%
2010	81%	60%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

60%

42%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2022	60%	42%
2021	56%	35%
2019	62%	41%
2018	74%	39%
2017	55%	35%
2016	49%	33%
2015	57%	33%
2014	66%	56%
2013	73%	59%
2012	73%	56%
2011	71%	53%
2010	71%	51%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

76%

55%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2022	76%	55%
2021	73%	49%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

98%

89.4%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	98%	89%
2022	99%	89%
2021	96%	88%
2020	95%	88%
2019	90%	85%
2018	88%	84%
2017	87%	83%
2016	87%	83%
2015	90%	82%
2014	84%	78%
2013	83%	76%
2012	83%	75%
2011	83%	75%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(2022-23)

16.9%

26.5%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	16.9%	26.5%
2022	14.7%	31%
2021	12.4%	22.9%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.50

0.63

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	0.48	0.60
2022	0.46	0.60
2021	0.45	0.59
2020	0.44	0.59
2019	0.44	0.58
2018	0.41	0.58
2017	0.41	0.57
2016	0.40	0.56
2015	0.38	0.55
2014	0.37	0.55
2013	0.36	0.55
2012	0.36	0.54
2011	0.34	0.54
2010	0.32	0.54
2009	0.30	0.54
2008	0.29	0.53
2007	0.26	0.53
2006	0.25	0.53
2005	0.22	0.52
2004	0.24	0.52
2003	0.22	0.52
2002	0.21	0.52
2001	0.19	0.52
2000	0.18	0.52
1999	0.17	0.51
1998	0.17	0.51
1997	0.16	0.51
1996	0.17	0.51
1995	0.19	0.51
1994	0.24	0.51
1993	0.17	0.51
1992	0.17	0.51
1991	0.17	0.51
1990	0.18	0.50
1989	0.18	0.50

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (2008-2023)
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2020	2%	1%
2019	2%	1%
2018	1%	1%
2017	1%	1%
2016	1%	1%
2015	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%
2013	2%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	2%	1%
2008	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (2002-2023)
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	6%	5%
2022	5%	4%
2021	6%	4%
2020	5%	4%
2019	5%	4%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	3%
2016	4%	4%
2015	3%	3%
2014	3%	3%
2013	3%	3%
2012	3%	2%
2011	3%	2%
2010	2%	2%
2009	2%	2%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%
2006	2%	1%
2005	2%	1%
2004	1%	1%
2003	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

18%

45%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1989-2023)
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	17%	47%
2022	18%	47%
2021	17%	48%
2020	17%	47%
2019	17%	48%
2018	18%	48%
2017	18%	49%
2016	17%	49%
2015	17%	50%
2014	16%	49%
2013	15%	49%
2012	15%	50%
2011	15%	50%
2010	15%	50%
2009	14%	50%
2008	14%	51%
2007	13%	51%
2006	12%	51%
2005	11%	51%
2004	12%	51%
2003	12%	51%
2002	11%	51%
2001	11%	51%
2000	10%	51%
1999	10%	51%
1998	9%	51%
1997	9%	51%
1996	9%	51%
1995	11%	51%
1994	9%	51%
1993	10%	51%
1992	10%	51%
1991	10%	51%
1990	10%	51%
1989	10%	51%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

68%

40%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1989-2023)
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	70%	42%
2022	71%	43%
2021	72%	43%
2020	73%	44%
2019	73%	44%
2018	75%	44%
2017	75%	44%
2016	76%	45%
2015	77%	45%
2014	78%	46%
2013	78%	46%
2012	79%	46%
2011	80%	46%
2010	81%	46%
2009	82%	46%
2008	83%	46%
2007	85%	46%
2006	86%	46%
2005	87%	47%
2004	87%	47%
2003	87%	47%
2002	88%	47%
2001	89%	47%
2000	90%	47%
1999	90%	48%
1998	91%	48%
1997	91%	48%
1996	91%	48%
1995	89%	48%
1994	87%	48%
1993	90%	48%
1992	90%	48%
1991	90%	48%
1990	90%	49%
1989	90%	49%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2012-2023)
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	6%	4%
2022	5%	4%
2021	5%	3%
2020	3%	3%
2019	3%	2%
2018	2%	2%
2017	2%	2%
2016	2%	1%
2015	2%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	2%	1%
2012	2%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,919 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,756. The school district revenue/student has grown by 16% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,738 is less than the state median of $14,421. The school district spending/student has grown by 22% over four school years.

This School District

This State (MS)

Total Revenue

$55 MM

$6,387 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	$55 MM	$28 MM
2022	$47 MM	$27 MM
2021	$44 MM	$24 MM
2020	$41 MM	$23 MM
2019	$40 MM	$23 MM
2018	$38 MM	$22 MM
2017	$40 MM	$22 MM
2016	$38 MM	$22 MM
2015	$34 MM	$20 MM
2014	$35 MM	$20 MM
2012	$34 MM	$21 MM
2011	$34 MM	$21 MM
2010	$34 MM	$20 MM
2009	$34 MM	$21 MM
2008	$35 MM	$20 MM
2007	$32 MM	$20 MM
2006	$34 MM	$20 MM
2005	$27 MM	$17 MM
2004	$25 MM	$17 MM
2003	$23 MM	$16 MM
2002	$22 MM	$15 MM
2001	$21 MM	$13 MM
2000	$20 MM	$13 MM
1999	$18 MM	$12 MM
1998	$17 MM	$12 MM
1997	$15 MM	$11 MM
1996	$15 MM	$11 MM
1995	$15 MM	$10 MM
1992	$10 MM	$8 MM
1990	$9 MM	$7 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$54 MM

$6,242 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	$54 MM	$28 MM
2022	$44 MM	$25 MM
2021	$41 MM	$23 MM
2020	$39 MM	$23 MM
2019	$37 MM	$22 MM
2018	$37 MM	$21 MM
2017	$38 MM	$21 MM
2016	$36 MM	$21 MM
2015	$39 MM	$20 MM
2014	$34 MM	$20 MM
2012	$33 MM	$20 MM
2011	$33 MM	$20 MM
2010	$39 MM	$20 MM
2009	$35 MM	$20 MM
2008	$44 MM	$20 MM
2007	$30 MM	$19 MM
2006	$28 MM	$18 MM
2005	$26 MM	$17 MM
2004	$25 MM	$16 MM
2003	$22 MM	$15 MM
2002	$20 MM	$14 MM
2001	$21 MM	$14 MM
2000	$21 MM	$14 MM
1999	$21 MM	$14 MM
1998	$17 MM	$12 MM
1997	$15 MM	$11 MM
1996	$14 MM	$11 MM
1995	$14 MM	$10 MM
1992	$9 MM	$8 MM
1990	$9 MM	$7 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$12,919

$14,756

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	$12,502	$14,478
2022	$11,101	$13,779
2021	$10,767	$13,142
2020	$9,909	$11,172
2019	$9,709	$11,082
2018	$9,407	$11,559
2017	$9,689	$11,251
2016	$9,270	$11,100
2015	$8,217	$9,638
2014	$8,567	$8,965
2012	$8,453	$8,998
2011	$8,467	$9,729
2010	$8,599	$9,638
2009	$8,500	$9,999
2008	$8,653	$9,551
2007	$8,211	$8,944
2006	$8,999	$9,208
2005	$7,313	$8,125
2004	$6,864	$8,004
2003	$6,154	$7,380
2002	$5,941	$6,736
2001	$5,579	$5,913
2000	$5,278	$5,664
1999	$4,785	$5,597
1998	$4,700	$5,260
1997	$4,317	$4,903
1995	$4,302	$4,082
1992	$3,050	$3,514
1990	$2,988	$2,973

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$12,738

$14,421

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Petal School District	Mississippi
2023	$12,327	$14,623
2022	$10,400	$12,603
2021	$10,054	$12,566
2020	$9,384	$11,286
2019	$8,902	$10,735
2018	$9,071	$10,908
2017	$9,121	$10,891
2016	$8,882	$10,668
2015	$9,422	$9,666
2014	$8,490	$8,852
2012	$8,163	$8,869
2011	$8,184	$9,323
2010	$9,860	$9,666
2009	$8,775	$9,596
2008	$10,970	$9,285
2007	$7,854	$8,688
2006	$7,322	$8,675
2005	$7,047	$8,168
2004	$6,665	$7,902
2003	$5,927	$7,198
2002	$5,593	$6,475
2001	$5,623	$6,210
2000	$5,627	$6,202
1999	$5,736	$6,315
1998	$4,748	$5,370
1997	$4,160	$4,828
1995	$4,149	$4,089
1992	$2,993	$3,260
1990	$2,992	$3,118

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Best Petal School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Petal High School

(Math: 91% | Reading: 58%)
:

10/

Top 5%

Add to Compare

1145 Highway 42 E
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 545-1229

Gr: 9-13 | 1,321 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%

Rank: #22.

Petal Elementary 3-4

(Math: 72% | Reading: 63%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

1179 Hwy 42 E
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-9400

Gr: 3-4 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

Rank: #33.

Petal Upper Elementary School

(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

400 Hillcrest Loop
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660

Gr: 5-6 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%

Rank: #44.

Petal Middle School

(Math: 73% | Reading: 55%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

203 East Central Avenue
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-6301

Gr: 7-8 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Rank: n/an/a

Petal Primary School

Add to Compare

60 Herrington Road
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244

Gr: PK-2 | 1,016 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Petal School District?

Petal School District manages 5 public schools serving 4,250 students.

What is the rank of Petal School District?

Petal School District is ranked #5 out of 147 school districts in Mississippi (top 5%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Mississippi school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 5%), Highest math proficiency (Top 5%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%), Highest science proficiency (Top 5%), Highest graduation rate (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Petal School District?

68% of Petal School District students are White, 18% of students are Black, 9% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Petal School District?

Petal School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Mississippi state average of 14:1.

What is Petal School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $12,738 is less than the state median of $14,421. The school district spending/student has grown by 22% over four school years.

Recent Articles

October 07, 2026

How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?

Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.

October 07, 2026

Does Your Child Need More Recess?

Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.

October 07, 2026

Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know

Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.

Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 5 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 4,250 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 32%
: 98% (Top 1% in MS)
: Top 5%
: 74% (Top 5%)
: 60% (Top 5%)
: 76% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MS Dept. of Education