Mississippi is the #34 largest school system in the United States, serving 440,088 students across the 1,037 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 55,136 students). 89% of all K-12 students in Mississippi attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Mississippi is 53%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 42%.
The top-ranked public schools in Mississippi are Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts, Bayou View Elementary School, and Northshore Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 54 Blue Ribbon Schools, 12 magnet schools, 10 charter schools, and 2 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 58%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Mississippi (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Laurel Magnet School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (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: #2 - 32. - 3.
Bayou View Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
4898 Washington Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39507
(228) 865-4625
Gulfport, MS 39507
(228) 865-4625
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Northshore Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 77% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
110 Northshore Parkway
Brandon, MS 39047
(601) 992-5279
Brandon, MS 39047
(601) 992-5279
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Madison Station Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 5%)
Reading: 81% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
459 Reunion Parkway
Madison, MS 39110
(601) 856-6246
Madison, MS 39110
(601) 856-6246
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Mannsdale Upper Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (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: #66.
West Harrison High School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 71% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
10399 County Farm Road
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 539-8900
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 539-8900
Rank: #77.
Lizana Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (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: #88.
Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 81% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-5
1209 Madison Avenue
Madison, MS 39110
(601) 856-6609
Madison, MS 39110
(601) 856-6609
Rank: #99.
Ocean Springs High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 91% (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: #1010.
Lewisburg Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%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
<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="state-rank">State Acdeamy<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:<麻豆果冻传媒 class="so-dt-title" id="state-revenue-and-spending">State Revenue and Spending
This State (MS)
US
# Schools
1,037 Schools
100,795 Schools
# Students
440,088 Students
49,494,734 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
33,786 Teachers
3,241,124 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
State Average (MS)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
43%
Graduation Rate
89%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
Diversity Score
0.61
0.70
# American Indian Students
2,933 Students
477,337 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
4,926 Students
2,755,585 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
# Hispanic Students
21,669 Students
14,721,043 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
30%
# Black Students
205,625 Students
7,323,773 Students
% Black Students
47%
15%
# White Students
184,372 Students
21,491,186 Students
% White Students
42%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
302 Students
185,312 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
20,261 Students
2,514,798 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
This State (MS)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$5,371 MM
Spending (23-24)
$5,314 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$12,205
Spending / Student (23-24)
$12,074
<麻豆果冻传媒 class="list-title center">Best Mississippi Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Belhaven (5 schools), West End (5 schools), Fondren (3 schools), Snowden District (3 schools), Washington Addition (2 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>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, Bayou View Elementary School, and Northshore Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Mississippi?
1,037 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 90%).
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: Coffeeville High School vs. Water Valley High School, Taylorsville Attendance Center vs. Mize Attendance Center, Lafayette High School vs. Oxford High School
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