Skip to main content

Below Average

#762 of 863 schools in MS

Cardozo Middle School

Middle School · JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

3180 McDowell Rd Ext, Jackson, MS 39212

Enrollment

573

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

4.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#762 of 863

In Jackson

#31 of 55

public schools

In district

#22 of 46

JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Cardozo Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Cardozo Middle School

4.3/10

Middle School in Jackson · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bates Elementary School

2.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

E. E. Rogers Sda School

Nearby

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cardozo Middle School

Cardozo Middle School is a public middle school in Jackson, MS, part of JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Cardozo Middle School serves approximately 573 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardozo Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #762 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Cardozo Middle School show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Cardozo Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.31 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.8% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.7% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg+5.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.8 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,713
Chronic Absenteeism46.1%

Cardozo Middle School — Students at Cardozo Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.5% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
55.9% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 17.9% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
41.8% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 34 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2010
Math
39%
ELA
30%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
46%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
3%
ELA
6%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
14%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
11%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
11%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
22.4%
ELA
12.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.

How Cardozo Middle School Compares

See how Cardozo Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
12th percentile in MS
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3180 McDowell Rd Ext, Jackson, MS 39212

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cardozo Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. REIMAGINE PREP (rated 5.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PEEPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 3.7/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
BATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 0.0 mi 2.4
E. E. ROGERS SDA SCHOOL Jackson 0.8 mi
FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 1.3 mi 4.8
VAN WINKLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.6 mi 3.1
OAK FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.5 mi 2.8
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jackson 2.1 mi 4.8
MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.9 mi 3.3
WINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 2.0 mi 4.0
TIMBERLAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.0 mi 3.0
WILKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.1 mi 3.7
CLAUSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.5 mi 4.6
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jackson 2.8 mi 8.3
KEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.9 mi 5.0
PEEPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson 3.1 mi 3.7
Ambition Preparatory Charter School Jackson 3.7 mi 6.9
SYKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 3.3 mi 2.7
REIMAGINE PREP Jackson 3.2 mi 5.3
LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 3.6 mi 4.7
RAINES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 3.9 mi 2.6
NEW VINEYARD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER Jackson 3.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39212 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,300

Median Home Value

$105,500

Median Rent

$1,128/mo

Population

26,899

College Educated

22.2%

Homeownership

62.8%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

19.6%

Median Age

35.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CRYSTAL SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Crystal Springs, MS 4.3
HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL Forest, MS 4.4
SENATOBIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Senatobia, MS 4.4
BYHALIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8) Byhalia, MS 4.1
CENTER HILL MIDDLE Olive Branch, MS 4.5
LAKE CORMORANT MIDDLE Lake Cormorant, MS 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cardozo Middle School

What grades does Cardozo Middle School serve?

Cardozo Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Cardozo Middle School?

Cardozo Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 573 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardozo Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cardozo Middle School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cardozo Middle School rank in MS?

Cardozo Middle School ranks #762 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Cardozo Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cardozo Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cardozo Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardozo Middle School has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Cardozo Middle School a charter school?

No, Cardozo Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cardozo Middle School a Title I school?

No, Cardozo Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardozo Middle School?

100.0% of students at Cardozo Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
15 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
573
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Hinds County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.1%

District

JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
17,747
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,713
District Rank
#22 of 46

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 rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.