Forrest County Schools & Education
Forrest County, Mississippi
School Score
28/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,169
National avg $13,239
State avg $5,954
School Score
28/100
Higher = better
State avg 27/100
State School Rank
#35
of 81 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Forrest County, Mississippi
Diverse Learning Options Across Four Districts
Forrest County supports 10,799 students through a network of 21 public schools across 4 distinct districts. The landscape includes 12 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools, offering a variety of institutional settings from city centers to rural towns.
Competitive Achievement and Focused Investment
The county's 87.7% graduation rate edges past the state average of 87.1% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. With a school score of 50.5 and per-pupil spending at $6,169, the county invests more per student than the state average of $5,954.
Spotlight on Petal and Hattiesburg Districts
The Petal School District is the largest by enrollment with 4,392 students, followed by the Hattiesburg Public School District which serves 3,667 students. No charter schools currently operate in the county, keeping the focus on traditional public district performance.
From City Centers to Suburban Classrooms
Students experience a mix of environments, with 10 schools in the city and 6 in suburban locales. The average school size is 540 students, ranging from the large Petal High School with 1,288 students to smaller primary campuses.
Find Your Home in a Pro-Education Community
Forrest County offers families a choice between urban Hattiesburg schools and the highly-regarded Petal district. High graduation rates and diverse school settings make this area a standout for prospective homebuyers.
School Overview
Total Schools
21
in Forrest County
Total Enrollment
10,799
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Forrest County
PETAL SCHOOL DIST
HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
FORREST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
FORREST COUNTY AG HIGH SCHOOL
21 Public Schools in Forrest County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PETAL HIGH SCHOOL | PETAL SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 1,288 |
| PETAL PRIMARY SCHOOL | PETAL SCHOOL DIST | PK–2 | Primary | 1,096 |
| HATTIESBURG HIGH SCHOOL | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 964 |
| PETAL MIDDLE SCHOOL | PETAL SCHOOL DIST | 7–8 | Middle | 745 |
| PETAL ELEMENTARY | PETAL SCHOOL DIST | 3–4 | Primary | 634 |
| PETAL UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | PETAL SCHOOL DIST | 5–6 | Middle | 629 |
| FORREST COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HI SCH | FORREST COUNTY AG HIGH SCHOOL | 9–12 | High | 611 |
| SOUTH FORREST ATTENDANCE CENTER | FORREST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–8 | Primary | 583 |
| THAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 532 |
| N R BURGER MIDDLE SCHOOL | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | 7–8 | Middle | 529 |
| DIXIE ATTENDANCE CENTER | FORREST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–8 | Primary | 498 |
| WOODLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 402 |
| ROWAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 349 |
| NORTH FORREST HIGH SCHOOL | FORREST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 342 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 318 |
| HAWKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 298 |
| HATTIESBURG STEAM ACADEMY | HATTIESBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | 6 | Middle | 275 |
| EARL TRAVILLION ATTENDANCE CENTER | FORREST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–8 | Primary | 263 |
| NORTH FORREST ATTENDANCE CENTER | FORREST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–6 | Primary | 225 |
| RAWLS SPRINGS ATTENDANCE CENTER | FORREST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 218 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,169
State avg $5,954
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Forrest County, Mississippi — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Forrest County, Mississippi?
Forrest County supports 10,799 students through a network of 21 public schools across 4 distinct districts. The landscape includes 12 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools, offering a variety of institutional settings from city centers to rural towns.
How do schools in Forrest County perform academically?
The county's 87.7% graduation rate edges past the state average of 87.1% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. With a school score of 50.5 and per-pupil spending at $6,169, the county invests more per student than the state average of $5,954.
What are the major school districts in Forrest County, Mississippi?
The Petal School District is the largest by enrollment with 4,392 students, followed by the Hattiesburg Public School District which serves 3,667 students. No charter schools currently operate in the county, keeping the focus on traditional public district performance.
What is the school experience like in Forrest County?
Students experience a mix of environments, with 10 schools in the city and 6 in suburban locales. The average school size is 540 students, ranging from the large Petal High School with 1,288 students to smaller primary campuses.
How can I find homes near good schools in Forrest County, Mississippi?
Forrest County offers families a choice between urban Hattiesburg schools and the highly-regarded Petal district. High graduation rates and diverse school settings make this area a standout for prospective homebuyers.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.