Joel E. Smilow Prep

Q: Is Joel E. Smilow Prep a good school?

Joel E. Smilow Prep ranks 197 th of 264 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Joel E. Smilow Prep is a public charter middle school located in Jackson, Mississippi, serving grades 5-8 with a student population of 577, predominantly African American. The school is part of the Reimagine Prep District, which is ranked 101 out of 130 districts in Mississippi and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite serving a high-needs student population, with 100% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, Joel E. Smilow Prep consistently underperforms the state average in proficiency rates for MAAP (Mississippi Academic Assessment Program) tests across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 18.8% to 57.3% in English Language Arts and Mathematics, compared to the state averages of 39.7% to 57.2%. Additionally, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Mississippi middle schools, with a ranking between 182 and 233 out of 257-264 schools in recent years, and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating it is among the lowest-performing schools in the state.

When comparing Joel E. Smilow Prep to nearby schools, such as Northwest Middle School in the Jackson Public School District, it becomes clear that the school is underperforming its peers. Northwest Middle School consistently outperforms Joel E. Smilow Prep in test scores and school rankings, despite serving a more diverse student population. Additionally, Joel E. Smilow Prep's performance has remained relatively stagnant or even declined over the past few years, with the school's ranking and test scores showing little to no improvement, suggesting that the school may be struggling to effectively address the needs of its student population.

Detail:

Public, Charter 5-8

787 E. Northside Drive
Jackson, MS 39206

(769) 524-5330

District: Joel E. Smillow Prep

SchoolDigger Rank:
197^th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,532

Student/teacher ratio: 16.9

Number of students: 564

Racial breakdown:

African American:

98.8%

Hispanic:

0.5%

White:

0.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Joel E. Smilow Prep ranks worse than 74.6% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.85. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (98.8%), Hispanic (0.5%), two or more races (0.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Joel E. Smilow Prep is 16.9. (See more...)

Compare Joel E. Smilow Prep employs 33.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Joel E. Smilow Prep is $11,532.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Joel E. Smilow Prep was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Joel E. Smilow Prep 197^th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See Joel E. Smilow Prep in the ranking list.)

Joel E. Smillow Prep:

SchoolDigger ranks Joel E. Smillow Prep 101^st of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Joel E. Smilow Prep

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2019	23.15	204^th	264	22.7%
2021	11.55	233^rd	257	9.3%
2022	26.73	182^nd	257	29.2%
2023	18.17	208^th	243	14.4%
2024	24.85	197^th	264	25.4%

See the entire list of Mississippi Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Excellent leadership and values that every teaching institution should embrace.
I can't say enough about the culture and the school spirit. I will sum this up with two words "They Care". Close Quote

Enrollment information for Joel E. Smilow Prep

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	Two or More Races	Total
2017	0	122	0	0	0	122
2018	0	285	1	0	0	286
2019	1	414	1	0	0	416
2020	2	559	1	0	2	564
2021	2	602	0	2	2	608
2022	2	568	0	0	0	570
2023	3	574	0	0	0	577
2024	2	557	0	3	2	564

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Joel E. Smilow Prep

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	122	11.0	11.0	97.5
2018	286	15.6	18.3	100
2019	416	18.8	22.0	100
2020	564	21.8	25.8	100
2021	608	25.0	24.2	100
2022	570	25.1	22.7	100
2023	577	39.9	14.4	100
2024	564	33.3	16.9	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Joel E. Smilow Prep

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	122	11.0	11.0	97.5
2018	286	15.6	18.3	100
2019	416	18.8	22.0	100
2020	564	21.8	25.8	100
2021	608	25.0	24.2	100
2022	570	25.1	22.7	100
2023	577	39.9	14.4	100
2024	564	33.3	16.9	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Joel E. Smilow Prep

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$8,582
2018	$8,638
2019	$7,824
2020	$7,953
2021	$10,524
2022	$11,532

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Joel E. Smilow Prep

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 204^th of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 208^th of 243 Middle schools	8.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
5th Grade English Language Arts (Joel E. Smilow Prep)	12.9	32.3	19.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Joel E. Smillow Prep)	12.9	32.3	19.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	43	51.9	8.9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Joel E. Smilow Prep)	12	8.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Joel E. Smillow Prep)	12	8.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	38.9	44.3	5.4%
5th Grade Science (Joel E. Smilow Prep)	25.7	20.2	5.5%
5th Grade Science (Joel E. Smillow Prep)	25.7	20.2	5.5%
5th Grade Science (Mississippi)	55.9	64.3	8.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Joel E. Smilow Prep)	7.4	27.6	20.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Joel E. Smillow Prep)	7.4	27.6	20.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	33.6	40.3	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Joel E. Smilow Prep)	21.6	13.9	7.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Joel E. Smillow Prep)	21.6	13.9	7.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	47.6	45.5	2.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Joel E. Smilow Prep)	19.7	17.9	1.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Joel E. Smillow Prep)	19.7	17.9	1.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Joel E. Smilow Prep)	54.1	32.5	21.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Joel E. Smillow Prep)	54.1	32.5	21.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	416	577	38.7%
African American	414	574	38.6%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	0	0
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	1	3	200%
Two or More Races	0	0
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Joel E. Smilow Prep

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MAAP English Language Arts (2024)				MAAP Mathematics (2024)				MAAP Algebra I (2024)	MAAP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Algebra I End of Course	MAAP Science 5th Grade	MAAP Science 8th Grade	Total
Joel E. Smilow Prep	Public, Charter	5-8	787 E. Northside Drive	Jackson	39206	Hinds County	Joel E. Smillow Prep	Yes	No	No	Yes	(769) 524-5330	564	33	16.9	100.0%	2 (0.4%)	557 (98.8%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	24.8	197^th of 264 public middle schools	25.4%		18.2	208^th of 243 public middle schools	14.4%	11	35.2	18.8	24.3	30.7	34.5	10.4	37.3	57.3		67.3	47.6	$11,532
Chastain Middle School	Public	6-8	4650 Manhattan Road	Jackson	39206	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-3550	483	47	10.3	100.0%	4 (0.8%)	435 (90.1%)	35 (7.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.9%)	6.9	254^th of 264 public middle schools	3.8%		16.3	214^th of 243 public middle schools	11.9%	40		12.9	20.7	15.0		17.2	24.5	15.8			24.2	$15,321
Kirksey Middle School	Public	6-8	5677 Highland Dr	Jackson	39206	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-8360	236	22	10.9	100.0%	1 (0.4%)	230 (97.5%)	3 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	27.2	190^th of 264 public middle schools	28.0%		18.9	204^th of 243 public middle schools	16.0%	14		24.1	25.0	30.0		34.5	46.5	47.1	100.0		42.2	$16,882
Bailey Middle Apac School	Public	6-8	1900 N State Street	Jackson	39202	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-5343	267	26	10.1	100.0%	17 (6.4%)	239 (89.5%)	3 (1.1%)	4 (1.5%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.1%)	89	23^rd of 264 public middle schools	91.3%		91.1	12^th of 243 public middle schools	95.1%	11		57.1	64.8	70.0		73.6	71.7	63.8	100.0		82.5	$15,190
Powell Middle School	Public	6-8	3655 Livingston Road	Jackson	39213	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-3580	372	36	10.3	100.0%	3 (0.8%)	362 (97.3%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	3.6	262^nd of 264 public middle schools	0.8%		5.4	241^st of 243 public middle schools	0.8%	21		10.5	15.5	12.9		4.0	14.3	16.7			18.8	$15,619
Blackburn Middle School	Public	6-8	1311 W Pearl Street	Jackson	39203	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 960-5329	495	49	10.0	100.0%	3 (0.6%)	482 (97.4%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	4.1	261^st of 264 public middle schools	1.1%		6.3	238^th of 243 public middle schools	2.1%	23		9.3	9.5	17.0		8.0	16.7	18.4			24.1	$13,813
Old Town Middle	Public	6-8	210 Sunnybrook Road	Ridgeland	39157	Madison County	Madison County School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 898-8730	686	57	12.1	74.1%	52 (7.6%)	450 (65.6%)	148 (21.6%)	17 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.8%)								(n/a)												$11,902
Northwest Middle School	Public	6-8	7020 Highway 49 N	Jackson	39213	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-3609	219	22	10.1	100.0%	1 (0.5%)	208 (95.0%)	8 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.9%)	89.3	20^th of 264 public middle schools	92.4%		91.9	9^th of 243 public middle schools	96.3%	11		68.6	94.2	65.7		78.6	91.2	57.9	100.0		67.2	$20,269
Pearl Junior High School	Public	6-8	200 Mary Ann Drive	Pearl	39208	Rankin County	Pearl Public School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 932-7952	948	67	14.1	68.0%	415 (43.8%)	374 (39.5%)	79 (8.3%)	6 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.6%)	68 (7.2%)	50.5	130^th of 264 public middle schools	50.8%		53.1	106^th of 243 public middle schools	56.4%	24		38.4	37.9	38.0		47.4	55.8	48.8	100.0		56.8	$9,631
Reimagine Prep	Public, Charter	5-8	309 W McDowell Rd	Jackson	39212	Hinds County	Reimagine Prep	Yes	No	No	Yes	(601) 941-0844	525	33	16.1	100.0%	2 (0.4%)	513 (97.7%)	5 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	23.9	203^rd of 264 public middle schools	23.1%		16.2	215^th of 243 public middle schools	11.5%	12	25.0	19.0	23.3	31.9	7.6	24.6	44.8	33.9		46.2	53.5	$14,041

Frequently Asked Questions about Joel E. Smilow Prep

What is the racial makeup of Joel E. Smilow Prep?

Students at Joel E. Smilow Prep are 99% African American.

Is Joel E. Smilow Prep a good school?

Joel E. Smilow Prep ranks 197^th of 264 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What district is Joel E. Smilow Prep in?

Joel E. Smillow Prep

How many students attend Joel E. Smilow Prep?

In the 2023-24 school year, 564 students attended Joel E. Smilow Prep.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Mississippi Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.