Best Schools in Jackson, Mississippi
67 schools · 41 Elementary · 12 Middle · 7 High · 7 Other
Choosing a school in Jackson?
Use this page to compare every school in Jackson by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Northwest Middle School
Middle · Jackson Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Magnolia Speech School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Barack H Obama Elementary School
Elementary · Jackson Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Jackson for 2026 are Northwest Middle School (9.5/10), Magnolia Speech School (8.6/10), and Barack H Obama Elementary School (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
67
55 public · 12 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$132,740
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
Schools
67
55 public · 12 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$132,740
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +16.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Jackson schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Jackson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 67). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Middle School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Magnolia Speech School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Barack H Obama Elementary School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | St Richard Catholic School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Hillcrest Christian School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Lester Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Bailey Middle Apac School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 8 | North Jackson Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Kirksey Middle School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Ambition Preparatory Charter School | 6.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.1/10
- Median household income
- $44,555
- Median home value
- $132,740
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 48%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Jackson compares
Mississippi rank
#103 of 120
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$45k
85% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
66
Education Snapshot
Jackson, MississippiJackson's school landscape spans 67 schools across 9 districts, enrolling roughly 22,461 students. The city's 66 scored schools average a 5.1/10 composite on MySchoolScout, compared to a Mississippi state average of 6.3 — a 1.2-point gap below the state benchmark. A median household income of $42,459 places the city 23% below the Mississippi state median of $55,470, providing broader economic context alongside those ratings. The level structure skews elementary: 41 elementary schools versus 12 middle and 7 high schools. Six charter schools operate within the city alongside traditional public options. Adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher represent 27% of Jackson's population. The 9 districts dividing this city mean families in different neighborhoods draw from distinct school pools; school-level and district-level ratings in the listings below give a more precise picture than the city composite alone.
About Schools in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi has 55 ranked public schools, with scores spanning the full range from struggling to standout. The city's average school score is 5.6 out of 10, which means most schools fall in the lower-to-middle tier — but the top end of the distribution is real. Nine schools, 16% of the total, score 7 or higher, giving families with flexibility a meaningful set of strong options to pursue.
The highest-rated school in Jackson is McWillie Elementary School, scoring 9.3 out of 10 — a genuine outlier in a city where the average sits nearly four points lower. Northwest Middle School follows at 8.9, and Callaway High School rounds out the top three at 8.8. That progression matters: families who access McWillie at the elementary level have a credible pathway through Northwest and into Callaway without giving up academic quality. Ida B. Wells APAC School (8.4) and Lanier High School (8.0) round out the top five, adding alternative options at both levels.
The gap between Jackson's average score and its top performers is wide. A 5.6 city average against a 9.3 top school means where you land in the assignment lottery or enrollment process has an outsized impact on your child's experience. Parents should treat school selection as an active decision here, not a default.
Practically speaking, Jackson's better schools are not evenly distributed across the city. The 9 schools scoring 7 or above represent a concentrated set of options, and seats — especially at high-performers like McWillie — are typically in demand. Start the process early, understand the district's open enrollment and magnet school policies, and confirm boundary and eligibility rules directly with Jackson Public Schools. The APAC (Advanced Placement and Communication) designation at Ida B. Wells signals a selective academic program worth investigating if your child qualifies. With clear criteria and early action, Jackson's top-tier schools are accessible — but they won't find you.
Elementary Schools
41 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 292 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 168 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 329 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 472 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 284 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 6.7 |
| 6 | 569 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.3 |
| 7 | 406 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.3 |
| 8 | 279 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 |
| 9 | 381 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 |
| 10 | 34 students · 4th–5th | 5.8 |
Show all 41 elementary schools in Jackson
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 219 students · 6th–8th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 267 students · 6th–8th | 7.9 |
| 3 | 236 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
| 4 | 369 students · 4th–8th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 525 students · 5th–8th | 5.3 |
| 6 | 564 students · 5th–8th | 5.3 |
| 7 | 573 students · 6th–8th | 4.3 |
| 8 | 301 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
| 9 | 273 students · 6th–8th | 3.7 |
| 10 | 483 students · 6th–8th | 3.6 |
Show all 12 middle schools in Jackson
High Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 955 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
| 2 | 863 students · 7th–12th | 5.6 |
| 3 | 876 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
| 4 | 942 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
| 5 | 732 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 |
| 6 | 590 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 |
| 7 | 1,279 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 |
Other Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 42 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.6 | ||
| 3 | 230 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.1 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Magnolia Speech School
Private
75 students · UG–UG | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | Hillcrest Christian School
Private
220 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.3 | ||
| 3 | Cares School
Private
81 students · 1st–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 4 | 88 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Jackson
Jackson, Mississippi · 67 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 10 ZIP codes
Median Income
$44,555
Median Home Value
$132,740
Median Rent
$1,020/mo
Population
161,398
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
48%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
26.3%
Community Profile
Jackson has a median household income of $44,555. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,740, with a median rent of $1,020/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Mississippi
- Elementary
- 41
- Middle
- 12
- High
- 7
- Other
- 7
Resources
School Districts (9)
REIMAGINE PREP
1 school · 525 students
MIDTOWN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 369 students
JOEL E. SMILLOW PREP
1 school · 564 students
JOEL E SMILOW COLLEGIATE
1 school · 569 students
Ambition Preparatory Charter School
1 school · 472 students
MS SCHLS FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND
2 schools · 110 students
HINDS CO SCHOOL DIST
10 schools · 4,972 students
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
52 schools · 17,747 students
REVIVE
1 school · 284 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Mississippi
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Jackson, Mississippi
How many schools are in Jackson, Mississippi?
Jackson has 67 schools, including 55 public and 12 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Jackson, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Jackson is 5.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Jackson, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Northwest Middle School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Jackson, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Barack H Obama Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Jackson, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Northwest Middle School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best high school in Jackson, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Jackson on MySchoolScout is Callaway High School with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Jackson, Mississippi?
Jackson is served by 9 school districts: Reimagine Prep, Midtown Public Charter School, Joel E. Smillow Prep, Joel E Smilow Collegiate, Ambition Preparatory Charter School, MS Schls for the Deaf and the Blind, Hinds Co School Dist, Jackson Public School District, Revive.
What is the education level in Jackson, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Jackson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Jackson, Mississippi?
The median household income in Jackson is approximately $44,555 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Jackson, Mississippi?
Yes, Jackson has 12 private schools alongside 55 public schools. The top-rated private school is Magnolia Speech School with a score of 8.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Jackson, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Jackson is 12.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Jackson, Mississippi?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mississippi Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.