Is West Jones High School a good school?

West Jones High School ranks 90 th of 228 Mississippi high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend West Jones High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,574 students attended West Jones High School.

What is the racial makeup of West Jones High School?

Students at West Jones High School are 50% White, 24% African American, 21% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

What schools feed into West Jones High School?

West Jones High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : North Jones Elementary School Elementary : West Jones Elementary School

West Jones High School

Summary:

West Jones High School is a public high school located in Laurel, Mississippi, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 1,516 students. The school is part of the Jones County School District, which is ranked 39 out of 130 districts in Mississippi and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

West Jones High School has a more diverse student population compared to the nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic and African American students. The school generally performs better than the state average and the Jones County School District average in various MAAP assessments, particularly in Algebra I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. However, it has an exceptionally high percentage of students (over 99%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Additionally, West Jones High School has a relatively high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 14.2 to 16.3 over the past three years, which is higher than the nearby Northeast Jones High School and South Jones High School.

While West Jones High School generally outperforms the state and district averages, it lags behind the nearby Northeast Jones High School and South Jones High School in several MAAP assessments, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has declined from a high of 35th out of 231 Mississippi high schools in 2015-2016 to 90th out of 228 in the most recent 2023-2024 school year, despite maintaining relatively strong test scores. These factors suggest that West Jones High School may face unique challenges in maintaining and improving its educational outcomes, particularly in light of the high percentage of economically disadvantaged students it serves.

Detail:

Public 7-12

254 Springhill Road
Laurel, MS 39443

(601) 729-8144

District: Jones County School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
90^th of 228 Mississippi High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,553

Feeder schools for West Jones High School:

Elementary:	North Jones Elementary School
	West Jones Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.3

Number of students: 1,574

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.3%

African American:

23.7%

Hispanic:

21.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 62%

See top rated Mississippi high schools

Compare West Jones High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details West Jones High School ranks better than 58% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 58.38. (See more...)

Compare Details West Jones High School ranks better than 60.5% of high schools in Mississippi. It also ranks 2^nd among 3 ranked high schools in the Jones County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 61.92. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at West Jones High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details West Jones High School has the largest high school student body size in the Jones County School District. Student population at West Jones High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (50.3%), African American (23.7%), Hispanic (21.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 62% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Jones High School is 14.3, which is the 2^nd best among 3 high schools in the Jones County School District. (See more...)

Compare West Jones High School employs 110 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Jones High School is $9,553, which is the 2^nd highest among 3 high schools in the Jones County School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

West Jones High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks West Jones High School 111^th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See West Jones High School in the ranking list.)

SchoolDigger ranks West Jones High School 90^th of 228 Mississippi public high schools. (See West Jones High School in the ranking list.)

Jones County School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Jones County School District 39^th of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for West Jones High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2008	57.19	116^th	244	52.5%
2009	63.60	87^th	247	64.8%
2010	66.11	83^rd	255	67.5%
2011	60.83	111^th	264	58.0%
2012	65.32	92^nd	270	65.9%
2013	75.07	65^th	269	75.8%
2014	65.65	88^th	264	66.7%
2015	63.58	80^th	266	69.9%
2016	52.63	119^th	260	54.2%
2017	58.14	109^th	272	59.9%
2019	78.99	49^th	264	81.4%
2021	63.73	93^rd	257	63.8%
2022	70.05	71^st	257	72.4%
2023	70.04	71^st	243	70.8%
2024	58.38	111^th	264	58.0%

See the entire list of Mississippi High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for West Jones High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MS State Percentile
2004	63.62	83^rd	232	64.2%
2005	64.89	78^th	232	66.4%
2006	62.08	94^th	232	59.5%
2007	56.43	109^th	232	53.0%
2008	69.11	66^th	235	71.9%
2009	65.57	83^rd	235	64.7%
2010	74.47	38^th	235	83.8%
2011	51.28	129^th	244	47.1%
2012	63.28	79^th	241	67.2%
2013	74.29	54^th	238	77.3%
2014	72.26	43^rd	236	81.8%
2015	64.09	60^th	226	73.5%
2016	76.06	35^th	231	84.8%
2017	65.31	70^th	237	70.5%
2018	64.31	74^th	233	68.2%
2019	59.59	83^rd	233	64.4%
2021	46.02	120^th	231	48.1%
2022	52.95	117^th	228	48.7%
2023	48.52	124^th	226	45.1%
2024	61.92	90^th	228	60.5%

See the entire list of Mississippi High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Tuesday, October 2, 2012

I miss west so much Close Quote

Enrollment information for West Jones High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1990	926	169	2	3	2	n/a	n/a	1102
1991	939	194	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	1141
1992	884	222	4	3	1	n/a	n/a	1114
1993	932	200	6	3	3	n/a	n/a	1144
1994	925	214	7	2	3	n/a	n/a	1151
1995	736	247	5	212	2	n/a	n/a	1202
1996	736	247	5	212	2	n/a	n/a	1202
1997	1156	345	4	1	14	n/a	n/a	1520
1998	1134	304	7	2	2	n/a	n/a	1449
1999	1121	306	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	1432
2000	1120	303	4	6	2	n/a	n/a	1435
2001	1118	282	4	6	2	n/a	n/a	1412
2002	1024	295	5	14	3	n/a	n/a	1341
2003	1024	295	5	14	3	n/a	n/a	1341
2004	1021	329	5	20	1	n/a	n/a	1376
2005	1011	359	5	26	0	n/a	n/a	1401
2006	998	343	6	36	2	n/a	n/a	1385
2007	957	345	9	41	1	n/a	n/a	1353
2008	985	347	8	41	0	n/a	n/a	1381
2009	990	316	8	37	0	0	0	1351
2010	1003	330	13	39	0	0	2	1387
2011	986	321	8	36	0	0	0	1351
2012	959	333	8	41	0	0	2	1343
2013	959	332	10	49	0	0	2	1352
2014	935	333	10	60	1	0	7	1346
2015	873	352	15	85	2	0	6	1333
2016	868	332	11	101	2	0	10	1324
2017	898	348	13	127	1	0	15	1402
2018	904	322	13	145	0	0	18	1402
2019	891	316	12	180	0	0	24	1423
2020	857	371	13	229	3	0	36	1509
2021	791	362	13	276	5	0	40	1487
2022	830	368	13	284	4	0	40	1539
2023	780	368	14	307	4	0	43	1516
2024	791	373	15	337	1	0	57	1574

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Jones High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	1102	61.0	18.0	n/a
1991	1141	62.4	18.2	n/a
1992	1114	61.4	18.1	43
1993	1144	62.0	18.5	45
1994	1151	61.5	18.7	42
1995	1202	61.3	19.6	41.8
1996	1202	61.3	19.6	41.8
1997	1520	80.9	18.8	42.3
1998	1449	82.0	17.7	43.3
1999	1432	86.7	16.5	55.2
2000	1435	84.5	17.0	53.5
2001	1412	85.3	16.6	57.5
2002	1341	83.5	16.1	58.3
2003	1341	83.5	16.1	58.3
2004	1376	81.2	16.9	42.6
2005	1401	84.4	16.6	47.5
2006	1385	89.9	15.4	54.4
2007	1353	87.6	15.4	49.4
2008	1381	90.7	15.2	51.5
2009	1351	91.5	14.8	54.9
2010	1387	91.5	15.1	58
2011	1351	91.5	14.7	56.9
2012	1343	79.3	16.9	58.2
2013	1352	84.0	16.0	58.7
2014	1346	81.4	16.5	59.8
2015	1333	81.0	16.4	60.1
2016	1324	84.0	15.7	61.6
2017	1402	82.6	16.9	61.3
2018	1402	83.2	16.8	60.3
2019	1423	88.1	16.1	61.7
2020	1509	88.1	17.1	63.8
2021	1487	91.0	16.3	99.8
2022	1539	96.1	15.9	99.8
2023	1516	106.0	14.2	99.8
2024	1574	110.0	14.3	62

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio West Jones High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	1102	61.0	18.0	n/a
1991	1141	62.4	18.2	n/a
1992	1114	61.4	18.1	43
1993	1144	62.0	18.5	45
1994	1151	61.5	18.7	42
1995	1202	61.3	19.6	41.8
1996	1202	61.3	19.6	41.8
1997	1520	80.9	18.8	42.3
1998	1449	82.0	17.7	43.3
1999	1432	86.7	16.5	55.2
2000	1435	84.5	17.0	53.5
2001	1412	85.3	16.6	57.5
2002	1341	83.5	16.1	58.3
2003	1341	83.5	16.1	58.3
2004	1376	81.2	16.9	42.6
2005	1401	84.4	16.6	47.5
2006	1385	89.9	15.4	54.4
2007	1353	87.6	15.4	49.4
2008	1381	90.7	15.2	51.5
2009	1351	91.5	14.8	54.9
2010	1387	91.5	15.1	58
2011	1351	91.5	14.7	56.9
2012	1343	79.3	16.9	58.2
2013	1352	84.0	16.0	58.7
2014	1346	81.4	16.5	59.8
2015	1333	81.0	16.4	60.1
2016	1324	84.0	15.7	61.6
2017	1402	82.6	16.9	61.3
2018	1402	83.2	16.8	60.3
2019	1423	88.1	16.1	61.7
2020	1509	88.1	17.1	63.8
2021	1487	91.0	16.3	99.8
2022	1539	96.1	15.9	99.8
2023	1516	106.0	14.2	99.8
2024	1574	110.0	14.3	62

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Jones High School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$7,277
2018	$7,038
2019	$7,384
2020	$8,494
2021	$8,252
2022	$9,553

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Jones High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 49^th of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 71^st of 243 Middle schools	10.7%
Ranks 83^rd of 233 High schools	Ranks 124^th of 226 High schools	19.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (West Jones High School)	43.8	38.3	5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Jones County School District)	41.4	38.4	3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (West Jones High School)	66.6	54.1	12.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Jones County School District)	60.2	53.6	6.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (West Jones High School)	41.8	49.1	7.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Jones County School District)	39.3	45.2	5.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	35.5	40.5	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (West Jones High School)	67.3	69.5	2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Jones County School District)	63.4	56.8	6.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	44.8	46.1	1.3%
8th Grade Science (West Jones High School)	60.5	56.2	4.3%
8th Grade Science (Jones County School District)	55.3	50.4	4.9%
8th Grade Science (Mississippi)	52.7	53.3	0.6%
End of Course Algebra I (West Jones High School)	60.3	63.3	3%
End of Course Algebra I (Jones County School District)	55.5	60	4.5%
End of Course Algebra I (Mississippi)	49.3	65.8	16.5%
End of Course English II (West Jones High School)	46.1	45.7	0.4%
End of Course English II (Jones County School District)	47.4	50.5	3.1%
End of Course English II (Mississippi)	43.9	50.1	6.2%
End of Course Biology (West Jones High School)	55.5	53.6	1.9%
End of Course Biology (Jones County School District)	57.8	60.9	3.1%
End of Course Biology (Mississippi)	57.2	60.9	3.7%
End of Course U.S. History1 (West Jones High School)	56.9	77.8	20.9%
End of Course U.S. History1 (Jones County School District)	53.5	76.2	22.7%
End of Course U.S. History1 (Mississippi)	55.5	71.4	15.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1423	1516	6.5%
African American	316	368	16.5%
American Indian	0	4
Asian	12	14	16.7%
Hispanic	180	307	70.6%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	891	780	12.5%
Two or More Races	24	43	79.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	61.7%	99.8%	38.1%

Schools Near West Jones High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MAAP English Language Arts (2024)		MAAP Mathematics (2024)		MAAP Algebra I (2024)	MAAP English II (2024)	MAAP Science (2024)	MAAP Biology (2024)	MAAP U.S. History1 (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Algebra I End of Course	MAAP English II End of Course	MAAP Science 8th Grade	MAAP Biology End of Course	MAAP U.S. History1 End of Course	Total
West Jones High School	Public	7-12	254 Springhill Road	Laurel	39443	Jones County	Jones County School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 729-8144	1,574	110	14.3	62.0%	791 (50.3%)	373 (23.7%)	337 (21.4%)	15 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (3.6%)	61.9	90^th of 228 public high schools	60.5%		48.5	124^th of 226 public high schools	45.1%	34	40.8	40.6	58.3	64.0	75.4	48.3	53.1	66.8	71.5	$9,553
Jones County Career & Technical Educational Center	Public	7-12	2409 Moose Drive	Laurel	39440	Jones County	Jones County School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 425-2378	0	0	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Laurel High School Vocational Complex	Public	9-12	1100 W 11th Street	Laurel	39440	Jones County	Laurel School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 649-4144	0	4	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Laurel High School	Public	9-12	1100 W 12th Street	Laurel	39440	Jones County	Laurel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 649-4145	715	37	19.2	100.0%	12 (1.7%)	602 (84.2%)	93 (13.0%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.8%)	16.9	196^th of 228 public high schools	14.0%		22.1	176^th of 226 public high schools	22.1%	20					41.0	30.9		46.7	49.1	$12,162
South Jones High School	Public	7-12	313 Anderson Street	Ellisville	39437	Jones County	Jones County School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 477-8451	1,348	93	14.5	60.5%	896 (66.5%)	253 (18.8%)	152 (11.3%)	6 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (2.9%)	71.8	57^th of 228 public high schools	75.0%		66.3	69^th of 226 public high schools	69.5%	12	42.0	46.7	64.7	61.7	71.6	53.0	54.2	72.8	82.7	$9,429
Northeast Jones High School	Public	7-12	68 Northeast Drive	Laurel	39443	Jones County	Jones County School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 425-2347	922	89	10.3	65.8%	603 (65.4%)	194 (21.0%)	43 (4.7%)	2 (0.2%)	24 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (6.1%)	56.9	103^rd of 228 public high schools	54.8%		47.1	131^st of 226 public high schools	42.0%	28	41.0	37.2	67.9	63.0	65.0	38.2	55.9	63.9	83.8	$11,193
Bay Springs High School	Public	9-12	510 Hwy 18	Bay Springs	39422	Jasper County	West Jasper Consolidated Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 425-8510	247	21	11.6	93.5%	15 (6.1%)	225 (91.1%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.0%)	15.2	199^th of 228 public high schools	12.7%		18.6	189^th of 226 public high schools	16.4%	10					47.8	23.1		49.3	41.9	$14,551
Heidelberg High School	Public	9-12	804 North Pine Ave	Heidelberg	39439	Jasper County	East Jasper Consolidated School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 787-3414	229	20	11.4	100.0%	0 (0.0%)	228 (99.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	51.9	115^th of 228 public high schools	49.6%		67.3	66^th of 226 public high schools	70.8%	49					79.6	41.4		50.8	72.9	$17,586
Seminary High School	Public	9-12	200 Main Street	Seminary	39479	Covington County	Covington County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 722-3220	399	27	14.7	100.0%	236 (59.1%)	131 (32.8%)	23 (5.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.8%)	49.2	124^th of 228 public high schools	45.6%		36	148^th of 226 public high schools	34.5%	24					73.2	45.6		63.3	57.6	$12,886

West Jones High School

Jones County School District:

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Rank History for West Jones High School

Rank History for West Jones High School

Review counts

Enrollment information for West Jones High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Jones High School

Student/Teacher Ratio West Jones High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Jones High School

Impact of COVID-19 on West Jones High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near West Jones High School