Best Public Schools in Jackson, MS

The city of Jackson, Mississippi is home to 53 schools serving grades K-12, with 32 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, 7 high schools, and 2 alternative schools, all part of the Jackson Public School District, which is ranked 110 out of 130 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

A few schools stand out as performing significantly better than the district and state averages, including McWillie Elementary School, ranked 34th out of 390 elementary schools in the state with a 5-star rating, Barack H. Obama Elementary School, ranked 17th with a 5-star rating, Northwest Middle School, ranked 20th out of 264 middle schools with a 5-star rating, and Bailey Middle Apac School, ranked 23rd with a 5-star rating. These schools have exceptional test scores, with proficiency rates well above the district and state averages.

However, the district as a whole struggles, with significant achievement gaps between the highest and lowest performing schools. Many schools have 100% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high levels of poverty. Student-teacher ratios and per-student spending also vary widely, suggesting unequal resource allocation across the district. Addressing these systemic inequities will be crucial for improving outcomes for all students in Jackson.