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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,127

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.3%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 42.7%
School
State
41.1%

Based on 12 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
66.5%
ELA
45%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in MS
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (172/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
12,971
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,248
District Rank
#11 of 21

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.

Read our full methodology

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