Top Rankings
Petal School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Mississippi for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 2,385 students in Petal School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public elementary schools in Mississippi.
Public Elementary Schools in Petal School District have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Mississippi public elementary school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 43% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MS)
# Schools
5 Schools
696 Schools
# Students
4,400 Students
292,146 Students
# Teachers
333 Teachers
22,730 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
District Rank
Petal School District, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 148 school districts in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 99% has increased from 87% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#5 out of 148 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
72%
47%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
42%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
76%
55%
Graduation Rate
≥99%
89%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.49
0.61
# American Indian Students
3 Students
1,825 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
28 Students
3,105 Students
% Asian Students
1%
1%
# Hispanic Students
259 Students
13,909 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
5%
# Black Students
797 Students
131,030 Students
% Black Students
18%
45%
# White Students
3,019 Students
126,881 Students
% White Students
69%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
213 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
289 Students
15,183 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
59
7,573
# Students in K Grade:
314
32,159
# Students in 1st Grade:
323
33,793
# Students in 2nd Grade:
356
33,611
# Students in 3rd Grade:
317
32,438
# Students in 4th Grade:
305
30,795
# Students in 5th Grade:
324
30,335
# Students in 6th Grade:
333
32,213
# Students in 7th Grade:
311
23,550
# Students in 8th Grade:
362
22,135
# Students in 9th Grade:
366
2,283
# Students in 10th Grade:
383
2,206
# Students in 11th Grade:
305
2,153
# Students in 12th Grade:
265
1,810
# Ungraded Students:
77
5,092
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,048 in this school district is less than the state median of $12,205. The school district revenue/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,383 is less than the state median of $12,074. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$44 MM
$5,371 MM
Spending
$41 MM
$5,314 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,048
$12,205
Spending / Student
$9,383
$12,074
Best Petal School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Petal Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1179 Hwy 42 E
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 582-7454
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 582-7454
Grades: 3-4
| 631 students
Rank: #22.
Petal Upper Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
400 Hillcrest Loop
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 584-7660
Grades: 5-6
| 665 students
Rank: n/an/a
60 Herrington Road
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Petal, MS 39465
(601) 554-7244
Grades: PK-2
| 1,089 students
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
