Average
#622 of 863 schools in MS
Joel E. Smilow Prep
Middle School · JOEL E. SMILLOW PREP
787 E. NORTHSIDE DRIVE, Jackson, MS 39206
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Mississippi schools
#622 of 863
In Jackson
#22 of 55
public schools
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Joel E. Smilow Prep
Middle School in Jackson · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Joel E Smilow Collegiate
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Redeemer's School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Joel E. Smilow Prep
Joel E. Smilow Prep is a public middle school in Jackson, MS, part of JOEL E. SMILLOW PREP.
Joel E. Smilow Prep serves approximately 564 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Joel E.
Smilow Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #622 of 863 schools in MS. Structured state assessment records for Joel E. Smilow Prep show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- MS avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Joel E. Smilow Prep sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Joel E. Smilow Prep is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joel E. Smilow Prep — Students at Joel E. Smilow Prep score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 14 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.8/10.
How Joel E. Smilow Prep Compares
See how Joel E. Smilow Prep performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
787 E. NORTHSIDE DRIVE, Jackson, MS 39206
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joel E. Smilow Prep may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BAILEY MIDDLE APAC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIRKSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MIDTOWN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Joel E Smilow Collegiate Jackson | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| THE REDEEMER'S SCHOOL Jackson | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| CHASTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson | 0.3 mi | 3.6 |
| ST RICHARD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Jackson | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| BOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 0.3 mi | 2.5 |
| THE EDUCATION CENTER, INC. D/B/A EDUCATION CENTER Jackson | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| MIDTOWN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Jackson | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| MCWILLIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| MS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Jackson | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| MS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Jackson | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| SPANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| CASEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| KIRKSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| NORTH JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL Jackson | 2.1 mi | 3.8 |
| CALLAWAY HIGH SCHOOL Jackson | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| REVIVE Jackson | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| IDA B. WELLS APAC SCHOOL Jackson | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| BAILEY MIDDLE APAC SCHOOL Jackson | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 39206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,611
Median Home Value
$117,400
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
21,878
College Educated
28.4%
Homeownership
47.1%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
25.5%
Median Age
37.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| GULFPORT CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Gulfport, MS | 5.3 |
| REIMAGINE PREP Jackson, MS | 5.3 |
| AMORY MIDDLE SCHOOL Amory, MS | 5.2 |
| DIBERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Diberville, MS | 5.2 |
| MAGNOLIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Meridian, MS | 5.2 |
| NORTH PIKE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Summit, MS | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joel E. Smilow Prep
What grades does Joel E. Smilow Prep serve?
Joel E. Smilow Prep serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Joel E. Smilow Prep?
Joel E. Smilow Prep has an enrollment of approximately 564 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joel E. Smilow Prep?
The student-teacher ratio at Joel E. Smilow Prep is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joel E. Smilow Prep rank in MS?
Joel E. Smilow Prep ranks #622 of 863 schools in MS.
What is Joel E. Smilow Prep's MySchoolScout rating?
Joel E. Smilow Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Joel E. Smilow Prep?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joel E. Smilow Prep has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).
Is Joel E. Smilow Prep a charter school?
Yes, Joel E. Smilow Prep is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Joel E. Smilow Prep a Title I school?
No, Joel E. Smilow Prep is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joel E. Smilow Prep?
100.0% of students at Joel E. Smilow Prep qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 564
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hinds County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.2%
- Phone
- (769) 524-5330
Resources & Links
District
JOEL E. SMILLOW PREP- District Enrollment
- 564
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,640
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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