Laurel Middle School

Summary:

Laurel Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 7-8 in the Laurel School District in Laurel, Mississippi, with a student population of 555 that is predominantly African American.

Laurel Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Mississippi middle schools, receiving a 1-star rating out of 5 in recent years. The school's academic performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better on state exams, is significantly below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 21% of 7th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 40.8%. In mathematics, the proficiency rates were 33.8% for 7th grade and 20.1% for 8th grade, compared to state averages of 57.2% and 55.3%, respectively. This persistent academic underperformance is a key concern for the school.

Laurel Middle School also faces socioeconomic challenges, with a 100% free and reduced-price lunch rate, indicating that all students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This is a key differentiating factor compared to the nearby Heidelberg Junior High School, which also has a 100% free and reduced-price lunch rate. Additionally, Laurel Middle School's spending per student is lower than the nearby Laurel Upper Elementary School, and the school has a higher student-teacher ratio compared to Heidelberg Junior High and Laurel Upper Elementary, which may contribute to its academic challenges.

Detail:

Public 7-8

1600 Grandview Drive
Laurel, MS 39440

(601) 428-5312

District: Laurel School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
220^th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,506

Students who attend Laurel Middle School usually attend:

High:

Laurel High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.5

Number of students: 555

Racial breakdown:

African American:

82.2%

Hispanic:

13.5%

White:

2.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Laurel Middle School ranks worse than 83.3% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.03. (See more...)

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 Racial makeup is: African American (82.2%), Hispanic (13.5%), two or more races (2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Laurel Middle School is 15.5. (See more...)

Compare Laurel Middle School employs 35.7 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Laurel Middle School is $11,506.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Laurel Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Laurel Middle School 220^th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See Laurel Middle School in the ranking list.)

Laurel School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Laurel School District 87^th of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Laurel Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2011	31.14	206^th	264	22.0%
2012	21.35	226^th	270	16.3%
2013	46.47	152^nd	269	43.5%
2014	31.01	190^th	264	28.0%
2015	18.48	222^nd	266	16.5%
2016	23.69	201^st	260	22.7%
2017	21.24	213^th	272	21.7%
2018	14.45	220^th	252	12.7%
2019	13.01	231^st	264	12.5%
2021	16.14	213^th	257	17.1%
2022	19.48	209^th	257	18.7%
2023	18.52	206^th	243	15.2%
2024	18.03	220^th	264	16.7%

See the entire list of Mississippi Middle 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:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Laurel Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Two or More Races	Total
2010	32	588	1	28	0	0	649
2011	23	644	1	25	0	0	693
2012	19	646	1	23	0	0	689
2013	23	621	1	27	1	2	675
2014	25	602	4	30	0	4	665
2015	28	595	2	36	0	2	663
2016	23	566	3	46	0	6	644
2017	12	543	1	45	0	5	606
2018	12	555	4	46	0	6	623
2019	20	598	3	61	0	12	694
2020	16	590	1	70	1	5	683
2021	10	552	1	75	1	6	645
2022	9	468	1	77	1	6	562
2023	11	456	1	75	1	11	555

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 Laurel Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	649	53.9	12.0	91.4
2011	693	45.5	15.2	91.3
2012	689	46.7	14.7	94.5
2013	675	42.4	15.9	93
2014	665	43.7	15.1	92.9
2015	663	43.0	15.4	100
2016	644	45.0	14.3	100
2017	606	39.8	15.2	100
2018	623	33.7	18.4	100
2019	694	39.3	17.6	100
2020	683	46.0	14.8	100
2021	645	44.3	14.5	100
2022	562	40.7	13.7	100
2023	555	35.7	15.5	100

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 Laurel Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	649	53.9	12.0	91.4
2011	693	45.5	15.2	91.3
2012	689	46.7	14.7	94.5
2013	675	42.4	15.9	93
2014	665	43.7	15.1	92.9
2015	663	43.0	15.4	100
2016	644	45.0	14.3	100
2017	606	39.8	15.2	100
2018	623	33.7	18.4	100
2019	694	39.3	17.6	100
2020	683	46.0	14.8	100
2021	645	44.3	14.5	100
2022	562	40.7	13.7	100
2023	555	35.7	15.5	100

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 Laurel Middle School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$7,589
2018	$5,648
2019	$9,172
2020	$9,148
2021	$10,205
2022	$11,506

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Laurel Middle 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 231^st of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 206^th of 243 Middle schools	2.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Middle School)	14	17.4	3.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel School District)	14	29.4	15.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	33.6	40.3	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Laurel Middle School)	20	12.2	7.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Laurel School District)	20	27.6	7.6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	47.6	45.5	2.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Middle School)	19.6	30	10.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel School District)	19.6	30	10.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Laurel Middle School)	34.6	35.2	0.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Laurel School District)	34.6	35.2	0.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Middle School)	13.5	25	11.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel School District)	13.5	25	11.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	35.5	40.5	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Laurel Middle School)	11.4	18.7	7.3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Laurel School District)	11.4	18.7	7.3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	44.8	46.1	1.3%
8th Grade Science (Laurel Middle School)	20.8	36	15.2%
8th Grade Science (Laurel School District)	20.8	36	15.2%
8th Grade Science (Mississippi)	52.7	53.3	0.6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	694	555	20%
African American	598	456	23.7%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	3	1	66.7%
Hispanic	61	75	23%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	20	11	45%
Two or More Races	12	11	8.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Laurel Middle 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 Science (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 5th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Science 5th Grade	MAAP Science 8th Grade	Total
Laurel Middle School	Public	7-8	1600 Grandview Drive	Laurel	39440	Jones County	Laurel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 428-5312	555	36	15.5	100.0%	11 (2.0%)	456 (82.2%)	75 (13.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.0%)	18	220^th of 264 public middle schools	16.7%		18.5	206^th of 243 public middle schools	15.2%	14			21.0	31.6			33.8	20.1		42.7	$11,506
Laurel Upper Elementary	Public	5-6	600 South 16th Avenue	Laurel	39440	Jones County	Laurel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 428-8573	295	27	11.0	100.0%	8 (2.7%)	237 (80.3%)	43 (14.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.0%)								(n/a)	22.5	13.0			15.7	12.4			30.0		$12,647
Heidelberg Junior High School	Public	7-8	804 North Pine Avenue	Heidelberg	39439	Jasper County	East Jasper Consolidated School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 787-3665	115	12	9.9	100.0%	0 (0.0%)	114 (99.1%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55.2	118^th of 264 public middle schools	55.3%		50.4	114^th of 243 public middle schools	53.1%	4			44.6	30.3			70.2	53.6		55.3	$18,157

Frequently Asked Questions about Laurel Middle School

What district is Laurel Middle School in?

Laurel School District

How many students attend Laurel Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 555 students attended Laurel Middle School.

Is Laurel Middle School a good school?

Laurel Middle School ranks in the bottom 16.7% of Mississippi middle schools.

What high school do graduates of Laurel Middle School attend?

Students who attend Laurel Middle School usually go on to attend Laurel High School

What is the racial makeup of Laurel Middle School?

Students at Laurel Middle School are 82% African American, 14% Hispanic, 2% White, 2% Two or more races.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Mississippi Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.

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