About Our District
Established in 1891, the Laurel School District has a rich history of providing a quality education to the children of Laurel. Comprised of six schools, the Laurel School District strives to provide a well-rounded curriculum that meets the needs of all students and is continually seeking innovative ways to keep students engaged and motivated
High-quality arts programs are offered at all grade levels. The high school and middle school bands and choirs are all “Superior” rated, and the visual arts programs are filled with students who have been recognized on the local and state levels for their artistic talents. Additionally, our middle school and high school is home to award winning show choirs.
The Laurel School District is home to a renowned magnet school that is a model in the state of Mississippi for its arts-focused approach to teaching and learning. Laurel Magnet School of the Arts is a Mississippi Arts Commission Whole Schools Initiative Model School for the Arts. The Whole Schools Initiative expands regular classroom instruction to include the arts and promotes collaborations between arts and classroom teachers to create arts-infused instruction. The school has been a member of the Whole Schools Initiative since 1999 and has continued to receive the Model School designation each year since, including the recent designation as an Exemplar Model School.
Along with excellence in academics and arts, the Laurel School District is home to one of the finest athletic programs in the state. With multiple state championships in track, basketball, tennis and football, our teams continue to excel on the field. Numerous Laurel Golden Tornadoes have continued the winning tradition by receiving scholarships at community colleges and four-year universities, and invitations to play in semi-professional and professional sports programs around the country.
About Our City
Nestled in the heart of Mississippi’s Pine Belt Region, Laurel began in 1882 as a lumber town and is known for its rich history and beauty. With the perfect proximity to the state’s capital city and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Laurel is the perfect place to live, work and play. Known as the City Beautiful, Laurel is home to picturesque oak-lined streets, stunning architecture, a nationally renowned art museum, and a vibrant downtown.
Laurel has been the home of many who would rise to great celebrity, including world-renowned opera legend Leontyne Price, screen actress Parker Posey and Olympic Gold Medalist Ralph Boston, to name a few.