Summary:
The city of Laurel, Mississippi is home to 11 schools across two school districts - the Laurel School District and the Jones County School District. The schools include 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools, serving students from diverse backgrounds.
Among the standout schools in Laurel are the Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, a top-performing elementary school in the state, and Glade Elementary School, which ranks in the top 30% of Mississippi elementary schools. The largest high school, West Jones High School, also performs well, with strong results on end-of-course exams. However, there is a clear divide in performance between the Jones County and Laurel school districts, with the Jones County schools generally outperforming the Laurel schools.
The data highlights the challenges faced by high-poverty schools in Laurel, with many schools having over 99% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. These high-poverty schools tend to struggle academically, underscoring the need for additional resources and support. Additionally, the analysis suggests the critical importance of strong performance in the early elementary grades, as schools that excel in 3rd and 4th grade tend to maintain that success through higher grades.
Thank you for your feedback!