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Needs Improvement

#845 of 863 schools in MS

Powell Middle School

Middle School · JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

3655 LIVINGSTON ROAD, Jackson, MS 39213

Enrollment

372

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

2.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#845 of 863

In Jackson

#49 of 55

public schools

In district

#40 of 46

JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Powell Middle School

2.8/10

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

Smith Elementary School

2.7/10

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

Walton Elementary School

3.8/10

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

About Powell Middle School

Powell Middle School is a public middle school in Jackson, MS, part of JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Powell Middle School serves approximately 372 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Powell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #845 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Powell Middle School show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Powell 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 Progress2.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.5% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.3% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-43.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-27.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,713
Chronic Absenteeism47.3%

Powell Middle School — Students at Powell Middle School score 12% proficient, which is below 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 18.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.2% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 17.6% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
46%
ELA
36%
2010
Math
45%
ELA
39%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
2%
ELA
7%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
8%
ELA
11%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
6%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
6%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
6%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
6%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
6%
2025
Math
9.5%
ELA
14.3%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Powell Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
2th percentile in MS
Academic
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.3%

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

3655 LIVINGSTON ROAD, Jackson, MS 39213

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Powell Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BAILEY MIDDLE APAC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIRKSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOEL E. SMILOW PREP (rated 5.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 0.6 mi 2.7
WALTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 0.9 mi 3.8
DAWSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.2 mi 5.0
JOHNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.4 mi 3.4
GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.6 mi 4.0
GALLOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.1 mi 3.8
LANIER HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 2.5 mi 5.6
CARES SCHOOL Jackson 2.4 mi 6.9
BOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.2 mi 2.5
THE REDEEMER'S SCHOOL Jackson 2.3 mi 6.9
BAILEY MIDDLE APAC SCHOOL Jackson 2.6 mi 7.9
NORTH JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.6 mi 7.5
KIRKSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson 2.6 mi 7.1
JOEL E. SMILOW PREP Jackson 2.5 mi 5.3
Joel E Smilow Collegiate Jackson 2.5 mi 6.3
IDA B. WELLS APAC SCHOOL Jackson 2.8 mi 5.8
MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 2.8 mi 3.8
CALLAWAY HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 2.8 mi 5.6
PECAN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 3.0 mi 3.5
THE EDUCATION CENTER, INC. D/B/A EDUCATION CENTER Jackson 2.6 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39213 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$28,115

Median Home Value

$73,600

Median Rent

$773/mo

Population

18,831

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

46.6%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

33.4%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DENMAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mccomb, MS 2.9
LAUREL MIDDLE SCHOOL Laurel, MS 2.6
BLACKBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.0
NETTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nettleton, MS 3.0
MENDENHALL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mendenhall, MS 2.3
O.M. MCNAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Belzoni, MS 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Powell Middle School

What grades does Powell Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Powell Middle School?

Powell Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 372 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Powell Middle School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Powell Middle School rank in MS?

Powell Middle School ranks #845 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Powell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Powell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Powell Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Powell Middle School has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Powell Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Powell Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Powell 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
12 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Hinds County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.3%

District

JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
17,747
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,713
District Rank
#40 of 46

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