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#551 of 863 schools in MS

Jefferson Middle School

Middle School · COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

611 Owens Street, Columbia, MS 39429

Enrollment

357

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#551 of 863

In Columbia

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Jefferson Middle School

5.8/10

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

Columbia Primary School

3.9/10

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

Columbia Elementary School

8.5/10

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

About Jefferson Middle School

Jefferson Middle School is a public middle school in Columbia, MS, part of COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT. Jefferson Middle School serves approximately 357 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #551 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Middle School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with MS schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Jefferson 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 Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.7% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.8 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected+4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,423
Chronic Absenteeism38.1%

Jefferson Middle School — Students at Jefferson Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above 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 42.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.2% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
41.8% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 35 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
49%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
45%
ELA
43.7%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Jefferson Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in MS
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.1%

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

611 Owens Street, Columbia, MS 39429

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SUMRALL MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Sumrall), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WEST MARION ELEMENTARY (rated 7.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Foxworth), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.0 mi
School Distance Rating
COLUMBIA PRIMARY SCHOOL Columbia 0.4 mi 3.9
COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbia 0.7 mi 8.5
COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL Columbia 0.8 mi 6.3
EAST MARION HIGH SCHOOL Columbia 2.9 mi 5.8
EAST MARION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbia 2.9 mi 6.9
WOODLAWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Columbia 2.6 mi 7.9
WEST MARION PRIMARY SCHOOL Foxworth 3.0 mi 9.0
WEST MARION ELEMENTARY Foxworth 3.4 mi 7.2
WEST MARION HIGH SCHOOL Foxworth 3.4 mi 7.1
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Foxworth 8.9 mi 4.0
JDC HIGH SCHOOL Bassfield 16.7 mi 5.7
DEXTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tylertown 16.3 mi 8.1
CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bassfield 17.3 mi 6.0
Wesley Ray Elementary School Angie 20.0 mi 5.3
SALEM ATTENDANCE CENTER Tylertown 17.2 mi 8.4
BAXTERVILLE SCHOOL Lumberton 18.7 mi 8.6
J E JOHNSON ELEMENTARY Prentiss 22.2 mi 6.0
SUMRALL BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Sumrall 19.9 mi
SUMRALL HIGH SCHOOL Sumrall 20.0 mi 7.2
SUMRALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Sumrall 20.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39429 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,953

Median Home Value

$133,700

Median Rent

$585/mo

Population

16,583

College Educated

13.3%

Homeownership

76%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

40.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALCORN CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Glen, MS 5.8
HIGGINS MIDDLE SCHOOL Mccomb, MS 5.8
LEAKESVILLE JR HIGH SCHOOL Leakesville, MS 5.8
NORTH PONTOTOC UPPER ELEMENTARY Ecru, MS 5.8
LIPSEY SCHOOL Brookhaven, MS 5.9
ARMSTRONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Starkville, MS 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Middle School

What grades does Jefferson Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Jefferson Middle School?

Jefferson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Middle School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson Middle School rank in MS?

Jefferson Middle School ranks #551 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Jefferson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Jefferson Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson Middle School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Jefferson Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Jefferson 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Marion County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.1%

District

COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,630
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,423
District Rank
#3 of 4

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