Average
#622 of 863 schools in MS
Joel E. Smilow Prep
Middle School · Joel E. Smillow Prep · Jackson, MS
A Joel E. Smillow Prep charter middle school where students score 14 points below what's typical for similar communities.
787 E. NORTHSIDE DRIVE, Jackson, MS 39206
- Math 29% proficient (2022)
- Reading 22% proficient (2022)
- 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Joel E. Smilow Prep score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MS average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency has held near 26% across the 7-year record (2016–2022).
Show all 7 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 20% (multi-year average, 2016-2022) · reading/ELA 16% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 14 test records from MS state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Joel E. Smilow Prep sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 55Somewhat Walkable
- Transit 26Some Transit
- Bike 43Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$41,611
Median home value
$117,400
Median rent
$1,084/mo
College educated
28.4%
Homeownership
47.1%
Poverty rate
25.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 39206; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chastain Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 3.6 | 6–8 | 0.3 mi | 483 | Compare → |
| Midtown Public Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 6.7 | 4–8 | 0.6 mi | 369 | Compare → |
| The Education Center, Inc. D/b/a Education CenterPrivate · tuition | 5.5private | 1–12 | 0.6 mi | 88 | Compare → |
| MS School for the BlindEnrollment path unverified | 4.6 | PK–12 | 1.0 mi | 42 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Joel E. Smillow Prep
- Schools in district
- 1
- Rank in district
- #1 of 1
- District spending per student
- $11,640NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- The source release did not match this district identifier.
Joel E. Smilow Prep is listed in JOEL E. SMILLOW PREP; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Joel E. Smilow Prep
Joel E. Smilow Prep is a public middle school in Jackson, MS, part of Joel E. Smillow Prep, serving approximately 564 students in grades 5th-8th with a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #622 of 863 schools in MS. State assessment records show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 564
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hinds County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.2%
- Phone
- (769) 524-5330
- Area population (ZIP 39206)
- 21,878
- Area average commute
- 18.5 min
- Area median age
- 37.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 39206; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2016-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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