Mississippi is the #34 largest school system in the United States, serving 442,336 students across the 1,046 public schools for the 2024-25 school year (there are 255 private schools, serving 55,948 students). 89% of all K-12 students in Mississippi attend public schools, compared to the national average of 89%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Mississippi is 47%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 42%.
The top-ranked public schools in Mississippi are Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, Northshore Elementary School, and Barack H Obama Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 58%, with the majority being Black and the student:teacher ratio is 13:1.
Student by Ethnicity
(MS) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
1%
Hispanic
5%
Black
47%
White
42%
Two or more races
4%
Top Ranked Public Schools in Mississippi (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
1125 North 5th Avenue
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-7446
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 428-7446
Rank: #22.
Northshore Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 5%)
Reading: 77% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
110 Northshore Parkway
Brandon, MS 39047
(601) 992-5279
Brandon, MS 39047
(601) 992-5279
Rank: #33.
Barack H Obama Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
750 N Congress Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 960-5333
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 960-5333
Rank: #44.
Lizana Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-6
15341 Lizana School Road
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 832-1592
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 832-1592
Rank: #55.
Ocean Springs High School
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 69% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
6701 Old Spanish Trail
Ocean Springs, MS 39566
(228) 875-0333
Ocean Springs, MS 39566
(228) 875-0333
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Lewisburg Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75% (Top 5%)
Grades: 2-3
1717 Craft Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 895-8750
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 895-8750
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Mannsdale Upper Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 5%)
Reading: 78% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-5
371 Mannsdale Road
Madison, MS 39110
(601) 879-3433
Madison, MS 39110
(601) 879-3433
Rank: #88.
West Harrison High School
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 5%)
Reading: 71% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
10399 County Farm Road
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 539-8900
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 539-8900
Rank: #99.
Diberville Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 89% (Top 5%)
Reading: 67% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
15625 Lamey Bridge Road
Biloxi, MS 39532
(228) 392-2678
Biloxi, MS 39532
(228) 392-2678
Rank: #1010.
Bayou View Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
4898 Washington Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39507
(228) 865-4625
Gulfport, MS 39507
(228) 865-4625
Best Mississippi Public Schools by County (2024-25)
Popular neighborhoods: Belhaven (5 schools), West End (5 schools), Fondren (3 schools), Snowden District (3 schools), Washington Addition (2 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Mississippi?
The top-ranked public schools in Mississippi include Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, Northshore Elementary School, and Barack H Obama Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Mississippi?
1,046 public schools are located in Mississippi.
What percentage of students in Mississippi go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Mississippi attend public schools (compared to the national average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mississippi?
Minority enrollment in Mississippi is 58%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Mississippi are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Mississippi include: Taylorsville Attendance Center vs. Mize Attendance Center, Lafayette High School vs. Oxford High School, Vicksburg High School vs. Warren Central High School
Recent Articles
Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
This article examines the ongoing debate about drug testing for teachers in public schools. It discusses the rationale behind such policies, privacy concerns, cost implications, and the relatively low prevalence of drug use among educators. The piece also explores future considerations for drug testing policies in educational settings.
Head in the Clouds: Why Public Schools are Embracing Cloud Computing
Explore how public schools are integrating cloud computing into their educational frameworks. Understand the advantages such as enhanced collaboration, cost savings, and accessibility, as well as the challenges schools face in adopting this technology.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
