Below Average
#776 of 862 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
4.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jackson
#37 of 47
public schools
Mississippi middle schools
#159 of 183
About Joel E. Smilow Prep
Joel E. Smilow Prep is a charter middle school located in Jackson, Mississippi, serving students from fifth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 564 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student's needs.
Joel E. Smilow Prep has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse community. The academic performance at Joel E.
Smilow Prep currently ranks in the lower percentile among Mississippi schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of #795 out of 865 schools. In terms of proficiency rates, only 16% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 22% are proficient or above in Math. The school is focused on academic improvement and student development to help its students achieve their full potential.
Situated in a mid-size city, Joel E. Smilow Prep benefits from being part of the vibrant Jackson community, offering opportunities for students to engage with local resources and activities.
What Parents Should Know
Joel E. Smilow Prep is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Joel E. Smilow Prep — Students at Joel E. Smilow Prep score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
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 6 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.8/10.
How Joel E. Smilow Prep Compares
See how Joel E. Smilow Prep performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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 6.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIRKSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MIDTOWN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.7 |
| THE REDEEMER'S SCHOOL Jackson | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| CHASTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| ST RICHARD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Jackson | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| BOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| THE EDUCATION CENTER, INC. D/B/A EDUCATION CENTER Jackson | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| MIDTOWN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Jackson | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| MCWILLIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 0.7 mi | 8.6 |
| MS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Jackson | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| MS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Jackson | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| SPANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| CASEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| KIRKSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| NORTH JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL Jackson | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| CALLAWAY HIGH SCHOOL Jackson | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| REVIVE Jackson | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| IDA B. WELLS APAC SCHOOL Jackson | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| BAILEY MIDDLE APAC SCHOOL Jackson | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joel E. Smilow Prep has a median household income of $41,611. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,400, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| ARMSTRONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Starkville, MS | 4.5 |
| HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL Forest, MS | 4.5 |
| CORINTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Corinth, MS | 4.4 |
| MIDDLE SCHOOL OF POPLARVILLE Poplarville, MS | 4.7 |
| SENATOBIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Senatobia, MS | 4.7 |
| CLEVELAND CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Cleveland, MS | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #776 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Joel E. Smilow Prep's MySchoolScout rating?
Joel E. Smilow Prep has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Joel E. Smilow Prep?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joel E. Smilow Prep has 22.0% math proficiency and 15.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (769) 524-5330
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
JOEL E. SMILLOW PREP- District Enrollment
- 564
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,640
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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