Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Hattiesburg’s public schools outscore 73% of Mississippi districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hattiesburg, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Mississippi, not nationally.
From Mississippi state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Hattiesburg’s schools, in brief
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 41% and math 48% across both districts in spring 2022, against 42% and 47% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Hattiesburg Public spends $14,267 per student and Forrest County Schools $13,803, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Presbyterian Christian School (private), Sacred Heart Catholic School (private) and Grace Community School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Hattiesburg’s grade
B+: better than 73% of Mississippi school districts, #43 of 101 Mississippi towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Mississippi average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Hattiesburg, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Hattiesburg · depends on your address
Hattiesburg STEAM Academy
Grades 6 · 263 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Earl Travillion Attendance Center
Grades PK–8 · 261 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Hattiesburg · depends on your address
N R Burger Middle
Grades 7–8 · 525 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Earl Travillion Attendance Center
Grades PK–8 · 261 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Hattiesburg · depends on your address
N R Burger Middle
Grades 7–8 · 525 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Earl Travillion Attendance Center
Grades PK–8 · 261 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,014 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,014 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,014 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,014 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Hattiesburg runs its own schools through grade 12 (Hattiesburg Public School District). From grade PK, students attend the Forrest County Schools. Parts of Hattiesburg (11% of its land) are served by Lamar County instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Hattiesburg
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Hattiesburg vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Hattiesburg’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | B+ | Hattiesburg Public PK–12 · Forrest County Schools PK–12 |
| Petal | A+ | Petal |
Every school in Hattiesburg
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Mississippi’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Lillie Burney Learning Center).
Questions about Hattiesburg’s schools
Are Hattiesburg’s schools good?
By Mississippi’s own tests, yes: the public schools Hattiesburg children attend outscore 73% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #43 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Hattiesburg in?
Two districts: Hattiesburg Public School District runs grades PK–12, and Forrest County Schools runs grades PK–12.
Where do Hattiesburg kids go to high school?
Hattiesburg High School, with 1,014 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Hattiesburg’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Hattiesburg Public School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.
How much does Hattiesburg spend per student?
$14,267 in Hattiesburg Public School District and $13,803 in Forrest County Schools (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Hattiesburg?
Yes: Presbyterian Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 935 students), Sacred Heart Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 584 students) and Grace Community School (religious, grades PK–K, 171 students).
Parents talk
What Hattiesburg families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hattiesburg → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Mississippi. Stars are from neighbors.