Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 39440

There are two middle schools in ZIP code 39440 serving grades 5–8 in the Laurel School District, a high-poverty area where 100% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Laurel Middle School serves grades 7–8 with 388 students, while Laurel Upper Elementary serves grades 5–6 with 253 students. Both schools are well below state averages in nearly every subject, with math showing the largest gaps—for example, only 11–12% of Laurel Upper 5th and 6th graders are proficient in math compared to roughly 50% statewide.

Between the two, Laurel Upper Elementary is the stronger school. It has a lower student-teacher ratio (13.8 vs. 16.6), lower chronic absenteeism (31.2% vs. 41.0%), and showed year-over-year gains in 6th grade ELA and 5th grade science. Its best subject is science, with 44.4% of 5th graders proficient. By contrast, Laurel Middle School has declined sharply in its state ranking, falling from the 17th percentile in 2023–24 to the 3rd percentile in 2025–26. It also has higher absenteeism, a larger student-teacher ratio, and worse proficiency in reading and science. About 4 in 10 of its students are chronically absent, compared to 3 in 10 at Laurel Upper.

For parents, the key takeaway is that both schools face serious challenges, but Laurel Upper Elementary appears more stable and encouraging, particularly in science and attendance. Laurel Middle School is the more urgent priority, with steep drops in performance and a high number of chronically absent students. Since the district's scores for grades 7–8 exactly match Laurel Middle, that school's results are a direct reflection of the district's middle school performance. While both schools serve similarly impoverished populations, Laurel Upper's lower absenteeism suggests that school climate and grade configuration may matter. Parents moving to this area should be aware of these significant academic gaps and consider visiting both schools to ask about interventions, especially in math and attendance.