US News names Petal top high school in Hattiesburg area; ranks 7th in Mississippi

Lici Beveridge, Hattiesburg American
·2 min read
2
Petal was named to the Top 10 of U.S. News and World Report's best high schools in Mississippi.
Petal was named to the Top 10 of U.S. News and World Report's best high schools in Mississippi.

Petal High School once again ranked in the Top 10 of high schools in Mississippi, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-24 Best High Schools list.

The ranking is based on performance on state tests, graduation rate and how well the school prepares students for college.

Petal High ranked No. 1 in the Hattiesburg metro area category and No. 7 in Mississippi. Petal also is listed in the nation's Top 40%.

“This ranking reflects the dedication of our great faculty, staff, students and community,” Petal School District Superintendent Matt Dillon said in a statement. “It is a testament to their commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching and providing a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.”

Matt Dillon, Petal School District Superintendent
Matt Dillon, Petal School District Superintendent

The 2023-24 edition of Best High Schools includes a numerical ranking of almost 18,000 public high schools nationwide and detailed information on each school's enrollment, graduation rates, student body demographics, location, school type and results of state assessments.

More rankings: See how Jackson area schools ranked in U.S. News and World Report's statewide rankings

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests also are included in the rankings.

The school ranked No. 1 in the Hattiesburg area and No. 3 in the state's 2022-23 rankings.

Nationwide rankings: See how all high schools fared in the 2023-24 report

Hattiesburg area Top 10 high schools

  • 1: Petal High School, Petal School District, 1,290 students.

  • 2: Oak Grove High School, Lamar County School District, 1,742 students.

  • 3: Sumrall High School, Lamar County School District, 591 students.

  • 4: Hattiesburg High School, Hattiesburg Public School District, 920 students.

  • 5: North Forrest High School, Forrest County School District, 215 students.

  • 6: Forrest County Agricultural High School, Forrest County Agricultural High School District, 593 students.

  • 7: Purvis High School, Lamar County School District, 566 students.

  • 8: Richton High School, Richton School District, 183 students.

  • 9: Collins High School, Covington County School District, 217 students.

  • 10: Lumberton High School, Lamar County School District, 161 students.

Mississippi's Top 10 high schools

  • 1: Mississippi School for Math and Science, Columbus, 232 students.

  • 2: Ocean Springs High School, Ocean Springs School District, 1,821 students

  • 3: Lewisburg High School, Olive Branch, Desoto County School District, 1,226 students.

  • 4: Biloxi High School, Biloxi Public School District, 1,703 students.

  • 5: Natchez Early College Academy, Natchez-Adams School District, 189 students.

  • 6: Pass Christian High School, Pass Christian Public School District, 640 students.

  • 7: Petal High School, Petal School District, 1,290 students.

  • 8: Hernando High School, Hernando, Desoto County School District, 1,369 students.

  • 9: Madison Central High School, Madison, Madison County School District, 1,169 students.

  • 10: D'Iberville High School, D'Iberville, Biloxi Public School District, 1,363 students.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Petal High No. 7 in Mississippi, US News and World Report says