Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 39402

Elementary schools in zip code 39402 (Hattiesburg, MS) include 5 public schools serving grades PK–5 (with one extending to 6th grade), spanning three school districts: Lamar County School District, Hattiesburg, and Forrest County School District. The Lamar County schools—Bellevue Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, and Oak Grove Elementary—are the strongest overall, all ranking in the top 30% of Mississippi elementary schools and earning 4-star ratings. Rawls Springs Attendance Center ranks in the middle, while Thames Elementary is the lowest-performing school in the area, with a concerning downward trend.

Bellevue Elementary is the top-ranked school (79th of 377) and has the largest enrollment at 1,145 students, rising steadily from 110th to 79th over three years. It leads the area in 5th-grade science (80.2% proficient) and has strong math scores. Oak Grove Elementary is a math powerhouse, with the best overall average math proficiency (63.2%) and excellent 5th-grade math. Longleaf Elementary stands out for the lowest chronic absenteeism (11.1%) and the highest 4th-grade ELA score (68.7%), though its overall rank slipped in 2025-2026. Rawls Springs is a small school (214 students) with strong 5th-grade science (80%) and math (70%), but a dramatic drop-off in 6th grade, where only 23.5% of students are proficient in ELA and 29.4% in math.

Economic disadvantage strongly correlates with performance: Thames Elementary has 100% free/reduced lunch eligibility and the lowest test scores, while the Lamar County schools have moderate poverty rates and clearly outperform. Chronic absenteeism is relatively low across all five schools (ranging from 11.1% to 20.2%, all below the state average of 23.9%), yet it does not perfectly predict success—Thames has low absenteeism but very weak academics. Class sizes also vary widely, from Rawls Springs' 11.9 student-teacher ratio to Thames' 15.2, but smaller classes do not automatically overcome poverty. Science is a consistent bright spot, with several schools scoring near or above the state average even when ELA and math lag. Overall, the top choices in this area are the three Lamar County elementaries, while families considering Rawls Springs should be aware of the 6th-grade transition challenge, and those looking at Thames should note its severe academic decline.