Very Good
#248 of 862 schools in MS
Top 29% in state
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School
Middle School · MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST
820 Sulphur Springs Road, Canton, MS 39046
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Canton
#1 of 8
public schools
Mississippi middle schools
#39 of 183
In district
#11 of 21
MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Shirley D. Simmons Middle School
SHIRLEY D. SIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL is a regular public middle school located in the rural area of Canton, Mississippi, within Madison County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 139 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention.
With 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.3 out of 10, placing it in the 46th percentile among Mississippi schools with a state ranking of #464 out of 865.
Academically, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School shows that 43% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 54% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where the school is working to improve student achievement. Located in a rural setting with no specific neighborhood data available nearby, Shirley D.
Simmons Middle School serves its community by offering a nurturing educational atmosphere for young adolescents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 139 students, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Shirley D. Simmons Middle School — Students at Shirley D. Simmons Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 6.4/10.
How Shirley D. Simmons Middle School Compares
See how Shirley D. Simmons Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
820 Sulphur Springs Road, Canton, MS 39046
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shirley D. Simmons Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. NICHOLS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 14.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is HUEY L. PORTER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 11.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, LEAKE CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH (rated 4.9/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Carthage), a more accessible option. For more schools in Canton, see our Canton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CAMDEN ELEMENTARY Camden | 1.8 mi | 9.0 |
| LUTHER BRANSON SCHOOL Canton | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| VELMA JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL Camden | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| CANTON PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL Canton | 11.6 mi | 6.2 |
| CANTON PUBLIC 9TH GRADE SCHOOL Canton | 11.6 mi | 8.2 |
| JIMMIE M. GOODLOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canton | 11.8 mi | 4.3 |
| HUEY L. PORTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Canton | 11.9 mi | 6.0 |
| CANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canton | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
| CANTON ACADEMY Canton | 13.7 mi | 7.3 |
| PISGAH HIGH SCHOOL Brandon | 15.9 mi | 7.6 |
| PISGAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brandon | 15.9 mi | 7.3 |
| MC NEAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canton | 14.6 mi | 4.1 |
| NICHOLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Canton | 14.8 mi | 6.5 |
| GOODMAN PICKENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Goodman | 16.6 mi | 3.0 |
| CARTHAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage | 15.5 mi | 6.0 |
| LEAKE CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carthage | 15.7 mi | 4.9 |
| LEAKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carthage | 16.1 mi | 5.0 |
| REUBEN B. MYERS CANTON SCHOOL OF AR Canton | 16.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Red Water Elementary School Carthage | 17.1 mi | 8.1 |
| LEAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carthage | 17.1 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 39046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,288
Median Home Value
$210,900
Median Rent
$879/mo
Population
29,160
College Educated
28.9%
Homeownership
58.6%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
22.5%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shirley D. Simmons Middle School has a median household income of $48,288. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,900, with a median rent of $879/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| SOUTH DELTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Anguilla, MS | 7.1 |
| RULEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Ruleville, MS | 7.0 |
| KEMPER COUNTY UPPER ELEMENTARY De Kalb, MS | 7.3 |
| ROD PAIGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Monticello, MS | 7.3 |
| HEIDELBERG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg, MS | 7.8 |
| KEMPER COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Dekalb, MS | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shirley D. Simmons Middle School
What grades does Shirley D. Simmons Middle School serve?
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Shirley D. Simmons Middle School?
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shirley D. Simmons Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shirley D. Simmons Middle School rank in MS?
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is ranked #248 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Shirley D. Simmons Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Shirley D. Simmons Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School has 54.3% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shirley D. Simmons Middle School a charter school?
No, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shirley D. Simmons Middle School a Title I school?
No, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shirley D. Simmons Middle School?
96.4% of students at Shirley D. Simmons 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 139
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (601) 855-2406
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 12,971
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,248
- District Rank
- #11 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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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