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Very Good

#90 of 862 schools in MS

Top 10% in state

Jefferson Middle School

Middle School · COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

611 Owens Street, Columbia, MS 39429

Enrollment

357

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#1 of 6

public schools

Mississippi middle schools

#15 of 183

In district

#1 of 4

COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Jefferson Middle School

Jefferson Middle School is a regular public school located in Columbia, Mississippi, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 357 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The teaching staff consists of 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their pupils’ educational needs.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Jefferson Middle School has an overall rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks at #230 among 865 schools in Mississippi. In terms of academic performance, the school's ELA/reading proficiency rate is 38%, while the math proficiency rate stands at 48%. These scores suggest that there is room for improvement but also indicate areas where the school is doing well.

Jefferson Middle School is situated in a small town setting, offering students a close-knit community environment. The school focuses on fostering a supportive learning atmosphere and providing opportunities for student development and growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-3.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,995

Jefferson Middle School — Students at Jefferson Middle School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.7%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 37.7%
School
State
41.1%

Based on 12 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
35%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
49%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
57.4%
ELA
40.5%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Jefferson Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
90th percentile in MS
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

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 6.8/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Sumrall), a more accessible option. Additionally, WEST MARION ELEMENTARY (rated 6.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Foxworth), a more accessible option. 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 7.1
COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbia 0.7 mi 7.4
COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL Columbia 0.8 mi 6.8
EAST MARION HIGH SCHOOL Columbia 2.9 mi 5.7
EAST MARION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbia 2.9 mi 6.2
WOODLAWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Columbia 2.6 mi 7.9
WEST MARION PRIMARY SCHOOL Foxworth 3.0 mi 6.7
WEST MARION ELEMENTARY Foxworth 3.4 mi 6.2
WEST MARION HIGH SCHOOL Foxworth 3.4 mi 5.6
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Foxworth 8.9 mi 4.0
JDC HIGH SCHOOL Bassfield 16.7 mi 7.9
DEXTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tylertown 16.3 mi 9.0
CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bassfield 17.3 mi 5.5
Wesley Ray Elementary School Angie 20.0 mi 4.3
SALEM ATTENDANCE CENTER Tylertown 17.2 mi 7.4
BAXTERVILLE SCHOOL Lumberton 18.7 mi 6.3
J E JOHNSON ELEMENTARY Prentiss 22.2 mi 6.9
SUMRALL BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Sumrall 19.9 mi
SUMRALL HIGH SCHOOL Sumrall 20.0 mi 6.4
SUMRALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Sumrall 20.0 mi 6.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Middle School has a median household income of $42,953. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $133,700, with a median rent of $585/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
SEMINARY MIDDLE SCHOOL Seminary, MS 8.1
North Pontotoc Middle School Ecru, MS 7.7
TUNICA MIDDLE SCHOOL Tunica, MS 7.7
PASS CHRISTIAN MIDDLE Pass Christian, MS 8.2
LT TAYLOR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Lucedale, MS 7.6
OVERSTREET ELEMENTARY Starkville, MS 7.6

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 is ranked #90 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Jefferson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Middle School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Jefferson Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Middle School has 47.7% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Average (523/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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