Best Jones County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 11,232 students in Jones County, MS (there are 3 private schools, serving 598 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Jones County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jones County, MS are Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, West Jones High School and Glade Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jones County, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Jones County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Jones County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1125 North 5th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-7446
Gr: PK-6 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
West Jones High School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
254 Springhill Road
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 729-8144
Gr: 7-13 | 1,585 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Glade Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
990 Highway 15 South
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 428-4265
Gr: PK-6 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Moselle Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
168 Rayner Road
Moselle, MS 39459
(601) 582-7586
Gr: PK-6 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
South Jones High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
313 Anderson Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-8451
Gr: 7-13 | 1,295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
South Jones Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
27 Warrior Road
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-3577
Gr: PK-6 | 1,129 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
West Jones Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5652 Highway 84 West
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 439-4823
Gr: PK-6 | 1,114 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #88.
East Jones Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
108 Northeast Drive
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-9799
Gr: PK-6 | 794 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #99.
North Jones Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
650 Trace Road
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 426-6632
Gr: PK-6 | 854 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1010.
Northeast Jones High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
68 Northeast Drive
Laurel, MS 39443
(601) 425-2347
Gr: 7-13 | 937 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1111.
Laurel High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 W 12th Street
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4145
Gr: 9-12 | 732 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Laurel Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 Grandview Drive
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5312
Gr: 7-8 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1205 Oak Park Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-5046
Gr: PK-1 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Laurel Upper Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
600 South 16th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-8573
Gr: 5-6 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Jones Co Career & Technical Education Center
Vocational School
2409 Moose Drive
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 425-2378
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Jones County Learning Center
Alternative School
301 N. Deason Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 428-8800
Gr: 3-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laurel Education Center
Alternative School
795 South 19th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-5195
Gr: 4-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laurel High School Voc Complex
Vocational School
1100 W 11th Street
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 649-4144
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
1305 Martin Luther King Ave
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 438-3140
Gr: 2-4 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Jones County, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Jones County, MS include Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, West Jones High School and Glade Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Jones County?
20 public schools are located in Jones County.
What percentage of students in Jones County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Jones County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jones County?
Jones County public schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Jones County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.