Summary:
The 39440 zip code area is home to 5 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school, all part of the Laurel School District. While the district as a whole struggles, with a 2-star rating and ranking in the bottom third of Mississippi districts, one school stands out as a shining example of academic excellence - the Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts.
The Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts consistently ranks among the top schools in the state, earning a #1 ranking in 2021-2022 and a #3 ranking in 2023-2024 out of 390 Mississippi elementary schools. Its test scores are significantly higher than the district and state averages, with 86.9% of 3rd graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 89.2% proficient in math, compared to just 38.4% and 28.5% for the district, respectively. In contrast, the other schools in the 39440 zip code struggle to meet state averages, with many scoring 20-30 percentage points lower in proficiency rates.
Despite the high-poverty student population, with all 5 schools having 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, the Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts is able to provide a high-quality education. The school spends $9,033 per student, less than the $15,793 spent at Laurel High School, yet its performance far exceeds that of the other schools in the district. This suggests that factors beyond just funding, such as the magnet school's specialized curriculum and teaching methods, are contributing to its exceptional outcomes.
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