#1Petal
Forrest County · 11,694 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A− · #6 of 99 in MS
Petal, #1 on this list · Photo: Cayla.campPR · CC BY-SA 4.0Mississippi rankings · Schools
Towns with the best schools in Mississippi
Petal ranks first on schools among Mississippi’s 101 towns of 2,500+; 42 of the 101 grade A− or better (schools are graded within each state).
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). How grades work
#1A+
#2Long Beach
Harrison County · 17,309 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall B · #17 of 99 in MS
Gulf Park Estates
unincorporated, Jackson County · 6,264 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall B+ · #9 of 99 in MS
All 101 towns
Schools grade, best first (graded within Mississippi). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 35 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
101 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
T3Gulf Park Estatesunincorporated, Jackson County · 6,264 peopleA+graded within the state·Overall B+ · #9 of 99
14Pearl Riverunincorporated, Neshoba County · 4,047 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #27 of 99
15New Hopeunincorporated, Lowndes County · 3,952 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #10 of 99
T16Bridgetownunincorporated, DeSoto County · 3,195 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A · #1 of 99
T24Gulf Hillsunincorporated, Jackson County · 8,451 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #29 of 99
T24Latimerunincorporated, Jackson County · 6,756 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall C− · #41 of 99
T24St. Martinunincorporated, Jackson County · 8,139 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall C · #34 of 99
T24Vancleaveunincorporated, Jackson County · 5,078 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B · #15 of 99
34West Hattiesburgunincorporated, Lamar County · 6,715 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall C− · #60 of 99
T35University College campusunincorporated, Lafayette County · 5,315 peopleA−graded within the state·No overall grade
56Hide-A-Way Lakeunincorporated, Pearl River County · 2,569 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #28 of 99
T69Beechwoodunincorporated, Warren County · 4,168 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C+ · #30 of 99
T72Mississippi State College campusunincorporated, Oktibbeha County · 4,655 peopleB−graded within the state·No overall grade
T84Nicholsonunincorporated, Pearl River County · 3,146 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall D · #70 of 99
T88Escatawpaunincorporated, Jackson County · 3,494 peopleC−graded within the state·Overall D− · #84 of 99
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which Mississippi town has the best schools?
Petal (Forrest County) ranks first on schools among 101 towns, with an A+; Long Beach and Gulf Park Estates follow. Schools are compared within Mississippi, so the letter is a state grade.
How are these towns ranked?
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a schools grade (101 in Mississippi). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Mississippi page.
Go deeper
All Mississippi rankings →More Mississippi lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live99 towns · #1 BridgetownBest small towns58 towns · #1 BridgetownMost affordable towns99 towns · #1 Pearl RiverSafest towns45 towns · #1 MadisonHealthiest towns101 towns · #1 MadisonBest towns for jobs & income99 towns · #1 MadisonMost walkable towns101 towns · #1 BiloxiTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk101 towns · #1 VeronaBest towns for the outdoors101 towns · #1 Ocean SpringsMost historic towns100 towns · #1 NatchezTowns with the most civic life85 towns · #1 WinonaTowns with the least snow27 towns · #1 BrandonDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns27 towns · #1 Holly SpringsDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters102 towns · #1 PascagoulaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers102 towns · #1 Ellisville and LaurelDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers102 towns · #1 Gulf Hills and 2 moreDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes99 towns · #1 BridgetownDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes99 towns · #1 Pearl RiverDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns89 towns · #1 Bay St. LouisDescribed, no letters
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