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Jefferson Middle School

Summary:

Jefferson Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in the Columbia School District in Columbia, MS. With a diverse student population of 373, the school has a higher percentage of African American students compared to the nearby West Marion Elementary school.

Jefferson Middle School generally outperforms the state averages on the MAAP (Mississippi Academic Assessment Program) exams, particularly in mathematics. However, the school has seen some fluctuations in test scores, with a decrease in the percentage of 8th graders scoring proficient or better in both English Language Arts and mathematics. The school's low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.1 to 13.1 students per teacher, suggests a more personalized learning environment for students.

One notable aspect of Jefferson Middle School is the extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, with 100% of the student population qualifying in the 2022-2023 school year. This indicates a high level of economic disadvantage among the students, which may have implications for the resources and support needed to address their unique needs. Despite these challenges, the school has maintained a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years, demonstrating a relatively stable level of academic performance.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 611 Owens Street
       Columbia, MS  39429-3135

(601) 736-2786

District: Columbia School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
119th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,305 Help


Students who attend Jefferson Middle School usually attend:

High:    Columbia High School

Feeder schools for Jefferson Middle School:

Elementary:    Columbia Elementary School
    Columbia Primary School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.5 Help
Number of students:  357

Racial breakdown:

African American:
48.2%
White:
47.1%
Hispanic:
2.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Jefferson Middle School ranks better than 54.9% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 55.12. (See more...)
Help
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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (48.2%), White (47.1%), Hispanic (2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Jefferson Middle School is 13.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare Jefferson Middle School employs 26.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Jefferson Middle School is $11,305.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Jefferson Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson Middle School 119th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See Jefferson Middle School in the ranking list.)

Columbia School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Columbia School District 52nd of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Jefferson Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 55.00 126th 244 48.4%
2009 47.76 137th 247 44.5%
2010 45.44 151st 255 40.8%
2011 59.22 119th 264 54.9%
2012 49.60 144th 270 46.7%
2013 63.39 102nd 269 62.1%
2015 48.05 131st 266 50.8%
2016 49.63 130th 260 50.0%
2017 49.54 137th 272 49.6%
2018 35.89 165th 252 34.5%
2019 41.25 150th 264 43.2%
2021 50.98 125th 257 51.4%
2022 62.18 101st 257 60.7%
2023 64.62 83rd 243 65.8%
2024 55.12 119th 264 54.9%
See the entire list of Mississippi Middle School Rankings!

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

Jefferson Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Jefferson Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1990 285 192 0 0 2 n/a n/a 0 479
1991 283 187 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 473
1992 307 205 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 514
1993 306 200 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 508
1994 295 193 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 490
1995 265 196 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 463
1996 265 196 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 463
1997 259 186 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 447
1998 266 154 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 421
1999 265 151 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 417
2000 265 176 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 442
2001 218 188 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 408
2002 226 202 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 432
2003 226 202 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 432
2004 214 218 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 434
2005 198 236 3 0 1 n/a n/a 0 438
2006 211 236 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 449
2007 208 227 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 440
2008 208 216 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 427
2009 210 208 2 3 0 0 0 0 423
2010 223 193 2 8 0 0 1 0 427
2011 214 190 3 13 0 0 0 0 420
2012 218 190 1 8 0 0 1 0 418
2013 195 199 4 12 1 0 2 0 413
2014 193 191 6 11 0 0 4 0 405
2015 181 183 4 12 1 0 0 0 381
2016 186 178 4 4 2 0 2 0 376
2017 187 171 5 5 2 0 6 0 376
2018 187 168 2 8 1 0 7 0 373
2019 180 174 3 11 0 0 8 0 376
2020 170 194 1 9 0 0 6 0 380
2021 174 188 1 6 0 0 9 0 378
2022 147 174 1 1 0 0 5 0 328
2023 168 195 3 2 0 0 5 0 373
2024 168 172 5 7 0 0 5 0 357

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 Jefferson Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 479 29.9 16.0 n/a
1991 473 27.5 17.2 n/a
1992 514 31.7 16.2 54.3
1993 508 31.4 16.2 54.7
1994 490 28.9 17.0 54.7
1995 463 30.9 15.0 51.4
1996 463 30.9 15.0 51.4
1997 447 30.6 14.6 54.4
1998 421 30.0 14.0 54.9
1999 417 28.3 14.7 65.2
2000 442 28.5 15.5 64.9
2001 408 27.9 14.6 65.7
2002 432 29.1 14.8 68.8
2003 432 29.1 14.8 68.8
2004 434 29.6 14.7 71.7
2005 438 25.8 17.0 72.8
2006 449 26.4 17.0 72.4
2007 440 31.5 14.0 75.2
2008 427 32.9 13.0 72.1
2009 423 31.3 13.5 72.8
2010 427 29.7 14.3 69.6
2011 420 27.8 15.1 72.6
2012 418 29.2 14.2 74.6
2013 413 28.8 14.3 76.8
2014 405 29.5 13.6 75.3
2015 381 27.0 14.1 76.6
2016 376 29.0 12.9 76.6
2017 376 31.5 11.9 74.5
2018 373 25.1 14.8 73.7
2019 376 28.6 13.1 75.5
2020 380 27.8 13.6 78.7
2021 378 28.8 13.0 99.2
2022 328 32.4 10.1 100
2023 373 28.3 13.1 100
2024 357 26.2 13.5 100

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 Jefferson Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 479 29.9 16.0 n/a
1991 473 27.5 17.2 n/a
1992 514 31.7 16.2 54.3
1993 508 31.4 16.2 54.7
1994 490 28.9 17.0 54.7
1995 463 30.9 15.0 51.4
1996 463 30.9 15.0 51.4
1997 447 30.6 14.6 54.4
1998 421 30.0 14.0 54.9
1999 417 28.3 14.7 65.2
2000 442 28.5 15.5 64.9
2001 408 27.9 14.6 65.7
2002 432 29.1 14.8 68.8
2003 432 29.1 14.8 68.8
2004 434 29.6 14.7 71.7
2005 438 25.8 17.0 72.8
2006 449 26.4 17.0 72.4
2007 440 31.5 14.0 75.2
2008 427 32.9 13.0 72.1
2009 423 31.3 13.5 72.8
2010 427 29.7 14.3 69.6
2011 420 27.8 15.1 72.6
2012 418 29.2 14.2 74.6
2013 413 28.8 14.3 76.8
2014 405 29.5 13.6 75.3
2015 381 27.0 14.1 76.6
2016 376 29.0 12.9 76.6
2017 376 31.5 11.9 74.5
2018 373 25.1 14.8 73.7
2019 376 28.6 13.1 75.5
2020 380 27.8 13.6 78.7
2021 378 28.8 13.0 99.2
2022 328 32.4 10.1 100
2023 373 28.3 13.1 100
2024 357 26.2 13.5 100

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 Jefferson Middle School

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2017 $7,866
2018 $8,512
2019 $8,504
2020 $9,230
2021 $11,459
2022 $11,304

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Jefferson Middle School

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 150th of 264 Middle schoolsRanks 83rd of 243 Middle schools
 22.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Middle School)27.550.4
 22.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia School District)27.550.4
 22.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)33.640.3
 6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Jefferson Middle School)33.445.7
 12.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Columbia School District)33.445.7
 12.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)47.645.5
 2.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Middle School)32.245.5
 13.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia School District)32.245.5
 13.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)3940.2
 1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Jefferson Middle School)37.757.8
 20.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Columbia School District)37.757.8
 20.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)51.155.6
 4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Middle School)38.745.4
 6.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia School District)38.745.4
 6.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)35.540.5
 5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Jefferson Middle School)34.548.7
 14.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Columbia School District)34.548.7
 14.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)44.846.1
 1.3%
8th Grade Science (Jefferson Middle School)46.348.8
 2.5%
   8th Grade Science (Columbia School District)46.348.8
 2.5%
   8th Grade Science (Mississippi)52.753.3
 0.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students376373
 0.8%
African American174195
 12.1%
American Indian00
Asian33
Hispanic112
 81.8%
Pacific Islander00
White180168
 6.7%
Two or More Races85
 37.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients75.5%100%
 24.5%

Schools Near Jefferson Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Jefferson Middle School

Students who attend Jefferson Middle School usually go on to attend Columbia High School

Students at Jefferson Middle School are 48% African American, 47% White, 2% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 1% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 357 students attended Jefferson Middle School.

Jefferson Middle School ranks 119th of 264 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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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.




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