Education
The Greater Hattiesburg Area is filled with a variety of schools that meet and often exceed state and national requirements and parental expectations. From preschool to graduate study, our schools are committed to excellence, offering a complete package of innovative educational programs that challenge students to reach higher and learn more. For a more detailed look at the educational opportunities in the Greater Hattiesburg Area, please click here.
Hattiesburg is home of to The University of Southern Mississippi. Founded in 1910, the school was originally named Mississippi Normal College for teachers. The school went through several names but settled on the University of Southern Mississippi, chosen in 1962.
As Hattiesburg grew, so did the university. Southern Miss provides educational services to over 12,000 students on the Hattiesburg campus:
118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601-266-1000
www.usm.edu
In addition, there are five teaching and research sites across south Mississippi as well as France, Mexico, England, and Spain. The University of Southern Mississippi serves the state, the Southeastern U.S. region, and the nation through its strong, varied undergraduate programs built upon a sound general education curriculum; through its master’s and doctoral programs in the sciences, education, psychology, economic development, the humanities, business, health, engineering technologies, and the arts; and through its faculty’s innovative research achievements.
William Carey University, founded in 1906, was originally known as Mississippi Woman’s College. The name was changed in 1953 to William Carey College (WCC). WCU is a private nonprofit, 4 –year Baptist college, dedicated to providing liberal arts and professional education programs within a caring Christian community. The individual student is encouraged to develop his or her highest potential in scholarship, leadership and service.
The college serves over 2700 students on one campus located at:
498 Tuscan Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-318-6051
www.wmcarey.edu
Pearl River Community College (PRCC), founded in 1921, is located within 30 minutes of Hattiesburg. It is the oldest publicly-funded two-year institution of higher learning in the state and the 16th oldest in the nation.
PRCC also provides two campuses within the city limits located on Highway 49 South and The Lowery A. Woodall Advanced Technology Center located in the Industrial Park in south Hattiesburg. Their mission is to upgrade the quality of south Mississippi’s workforce to world-class standards. These campuses focus on special programs including: Industrial Maintenance, Computer Training, Computer Network Training, Emergency Medical Technician Basic Training and more.
Pearl River Community College Vocational Center
5448 Highway 49 South
Hattiesburg, MS 39465
601-554-5555
The main campus is located:
101 Highway 11 North
Poplarville, MS 39470
601-403-1000
www.prcc.eduWith an enrollment of over 500, the Forrest County Agricultural High School District, founded in 1912, consists of one school, which serves students in Grades 9-12.
The school is housed on one campus:
215 Old Highway 49 East
P.O. Box 399
Brooklyn, MS 39425
601-582-4102
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/districts/Forrest.htm
The school offers a diverse curriculum in three areas: college preparatory, vocational/technical and agricultural. In addition to core courses like mathematics, science, literature and social studies, students can enroll in a two-year program in general drafting. Agri-science, an innovation program at Forrest County AHS, teaches students the science and technology behind agriculture including plant and animal science and environmental awareness. Classes in family and consumer science, foreign language and computer training are also offered. Forrest County AHS is one of only three agricultural high schools remaining in Mississippi.
The success of Forrest County Schools (FCS) is measured by the success of its students. The instruction-centered focus is driven by vision, creativity, and the bold, decisive action embodied in the following four areas of district-wide emphasis on safety and reduced teacher-student ratios. Enrollment averages 2400 students. The district encompasses:
Rawls Spring Attendance Center (Grades K-6)
#10 Archie Smith Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-268-2217
North Forrest Attendance Center (Grades K-6)
702 Eatonville Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-545-9304
Dixie Attendance Center (Grades K-8)
790 Elks Lake Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-582-4890
Earl Travillion Attendance Center (Grades K-8)
316 Travillion Dive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-584-9303
South Forrest Attendance Center (Grades K-8)
#8 Bourborne Street
Brooklyn, MS 39425
601-545-7714
North Forest Junior/Senior High School (Grades 7-12)
693 Eatonville Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-545-9304
website: www.forrest.k12.ms.us
The Hattiesburg Public School District (HPSD), an urban district serving about 5200 young people, is committed to providing quality educational opportunities to the children of Hattiesburg. The HPSD provides a continuous progressive K-6 elementary curriculum at all six elementary school sites:
W.H. Jones Elementary (Grades K-6)
5489 Highway 42
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-583-0960
Thames Elementary (Grades K-6)
2900 Jamestown Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-582-6655
F.B. Woodley Elementary (Grades K-6)
2006 O’Ferrall Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-583-8112
Grace Christian Elementary (Grades K-6)
2207 West 7th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-583-0662
Lillie Burney Elementary (Grades K-6)
901 Ida Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-582-5291
Hawkins Elementary (Grades K-6)
526 Forrest Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-583-4311
The elementary curriculum in the content areas of math, reading and writing is delivered in a highly organized, teacher-directed approach known as Direct Instruction, which contains an emphasis on small-group, face-to-face mastery. Each elementary classroom is equipped with a computer network center and is available for daily use.
The four secondary schools include:
N.R. Burger Middle School (Grades 7-8)
174 Tatum Boulevard
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-582-0536
Hattiesburg High School - Rowan Campus (Grade 9)
500 Martin Luther King Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-583-2657
Hattiesburg High School – Blair Campus (Grades 10-12)
301 Hutchinson Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-544-0811
Mary Bethune School of the Arts (Grades 7-8)
Temporary Intervention Program (TIP)
610 Dumas Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-584-6311
Secondary students benefit from academic and extracurricular activities that provide challenging and rewarding experiences. This includes over 150 academic and vocational courses in Grades 7-12, Tech Prep, foreign languages, guidance and mental health counseling (in all schools), lab sciences, a full athletic program, service clubs, student government honor clubs and more. Gifted education is offered through Grade 9. Hattiesburg High School offers 14 Advanced Placement courses.
Website: www.hpsd.k12.ms.us
The Lamar County School District (LCSD) strives to design a curriculum to meet each student’s needs, provide a proper learning environment, offer counseling for proper career choices and wise decision-making and make available a choice of extracurricular activities for a meaningful school experience. LCSD serves more than 6500 students in four attendance centers. Attendance centers in the LCSD offer challenging curriculum for students at every level focusing on college preparatory, vocational and Tech Prep courses.
Oak Grove Attendance Center (Grades K-8)
2543 Old Highway 24
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-264-7232
Oak Grove High School (Grades 9-12)
5198 Old Highway 11
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-264-7232
Purvis Attendance Center (Grades K-12)
220 School Street
P.O. Box 1089
Purvis, MS 39475
601-7694-2708
Baxterville Attendance Center (Grades K-8)
5531 Highway 13
P.O. Box 64
Lumberton, MS 39455
601-796-4483
Sumrall Attendance Center (Grades K-12)
184 Center Avenue
Sumrall, MS 39482
601-758-4730
www.lamar.k12.ms.us
The Lumberton School District, located in southern Lamar County, currently serves over 900 students in Grades K-12. The district offers its students innovative academic and technical programs in recently updated facilities that excite their imagination.
Current campuses include:
Lumberton Elementary (Grades K-6)
7922 Highway 11
Lumberton, MS 39455
601-796-3721
Lumberton High School (Grades 7-12)
7920 Highway 11
Lumberton, MS 39455
601-796-2451
Website: www.lumberton.k12.ms.us
A comprehensive curriculum and caring teachers make students very comfortable and secure. The LSD ‘s special services program is a caring and nurturing environment for all children with special needs. The LSD’s Parenting/Teacher Resource Center is a place where parents are invited to participate in many programs applicable to the educational success of their children. The concept of adults being lifelong learners is pursued through various resources of the center.
With an enrollment of 3,700+, the Petal School District (PSD), located in northeast Forrest County, serves the needs of students living in the city of Petal and surrounding area. Four schools make up the district:
Petal Elementary (Grades K-2)
1179 Highway 42 East
Petal, MS 39465
601-582-7454
W.L. Smith Elementary (Grades 3-5)
400 Hillcrest Loop
Petal, MS 39465
601-58407660
Petal Middle School (Grades 6-8)
104 New Richton Road
Petal, MS 39465
601-584-6301
Petal High School (Grades 9-12)
1145 Highway 42 East
Petal, MS 39465
601-583-3538
Parenting Service Center (Grades K-12 and adults)
617 South Main Street
Petal, MS 39465
601-584-7404
Website: www.petalschools.com
Petal schools place a strong emphasis on reading through the use of a balanced approach to literacy. An Accelerated Reader Program has been instrumental in encouraging students to read. Reading labs, gifted studies program, and special educational programs make the school experience challenging and rewarding. Petal Middle School and High School offer a blend of college preparatory and Tech-Prep programs for its students. The core curriculum for high school students includes English, mathematics, science and social studies. Other courses offered are foreign languages, computer arts, music, band, theater, journalism, oral communications, Allied Health, polymer science, business computer technology, forestry, agri-science, food production management, child development, and family dynamics.Alpha Christian School is located close to downtown Hattiesburg, serving Grades K-3 and has an enrollment of almost 100 students. Teachers offer Christian curriculum and focus on giving students the basics they will need as they grow and learn. The school is housed on one campus:
1101 Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-583-3144
Tuition/fees are charged based on number of students attending from each family.
Central Baptist School is a private Christian school, located in south Hattiesburg, with an enrollment of about 150 students.
The school is housed on one campus:
35 P.D. Freeman Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-544-0161
Established in 1972, the school utilizes the A Beka Book Christian School Curriculum for students in Grades K-12. With a focus on preparing students for the future, Central Baptist School offers a college preparatory curriculum. Core courses include language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign languages, computer literacy, music and fine arts. Athletic activities available for students in Grades 7-12 include volleyball, basketball, flag football, and softball.
Tuition/fees are based on grade level and is discounted if more than one student.
Lamar Christian School is located in Purvis, in Lamar County, and has an attendance of 300+ students. The school serves Grades Pre-K-12 and uses the A Beka Book Christian School Curriculum throughout its academic program and offers computer science, instrumental and choral music and drama. In addition, as the school expands more classes are now being offered include Algebra II, chemistry, advanced biology and other academic courses necessary for upper grade levels.
The school is housed on one campus:
62 Purvis-Oloh Road
P.O. Box 880
Purvis, MS 39465
601-794-0016
Tuition/fees are varied depending on grade level and discounted if more than one student.
Website: www.lamarchristianschool.org
Presbyterian Christian School (PCS) offers a college preparatory curriculum in a Christian environment. Located in Hattiesburg, the school strives to prepare its students at every level- academically, emotionally, physically and socially.
PCS has an enrollment of over 750 students on two campuses:
Presbyterian Christian Elementary (Grades K-8)
3901 Lincoln Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-268-3867
Presbyterian Christian High School (Grades 9-12)
210 Bonhomie Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-545-3322
The school offers a varied curriculum including core courses in literature, mathematics, social science and Bible. In addition, the school offers special courses in foreign languages, arts and music. Computers are available to help students with their studies and to keep them up to date on the latest technology. Along with proper emphasis on spiritual development and academics, students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and athletics.
Tuition/fees are based on grade level and discounted if more than one student.
Website: www.pcsk12.org
Sacred Heart Catholic School is located in this historic district of Hattiesburg. The school provides the highest standards in Catholic, college-preparation education, encouraging its studies to development their full potential spiritually, academically, and socially. The school has an enrollment of over 300 in Grades Pre-K-8 and is expanding classes to the high school level. Accelerated classes are offered in the various core courses.
The school is housed on one campus:
608 Southern Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-583-8683
Tuition/fees are based on grade level and is discounted if more than one student.
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