Average
#437 of 863 schools in MS
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
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Mississippi schools
#437 of 863
In Canton
#5 of 10
public schools
In district
#13 of 21
MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Shirley D. Simmons Middle School
Middle School in Canton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Camden Elementary
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Luther Branson School
3.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Shirley D. Simmons Middle School
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is a public middle school in Canton, MS, part of MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST. Shirley D.
Simmons Middle School serves approximately 139 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Shirley D. Simmons Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #437 of 863 schools in MS.
Structured state assessment records for Shirley D. Simmons Middle School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- MS avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
At 139 students, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.7:1 students to teachers, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School — Students at Shirley D. Simmons Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.6/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. LEAKE CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH (rated 7.5/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Carthage), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HUEY L. PORTER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 11.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NICHOLS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 14.8 miles away), 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 | 9.2 |
| LUTHER BRANSON SCHOOL Canton | 3.0 mi | 9.2 |
| VELMA JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL Camden | 5.3 mi | 6.6 |
| CANTON PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL Canton | 11.6 mi | 6.3 |
| CANTON PUBLIC 9TH GRADE SCHOOL Canton | 11.6 mi | 6.1 |
| JIMMIE M. GOODLOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canton | 11.8 mi | 8.0 |
| HUEY L. PORTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Canton | 11.9 mi | 7.4 |
| CANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canton | 13.5 mi | 6.0 |
| CANTON ACADEMY Canton | 13.7 mi | 7.3 |
| PISGAH HIGH SCHOOL Brandon | 15.9 mi | 8.2 |
| PISGAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brandon | 15.9 mi | 8.7 |
| MC NEAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Canton | 14.6 mi | 7.3 |
| NICHOLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Canton | 14.8 mi | 4.9 |
| GOODMAN PICKENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Goodman | 16.6 mi | 6.7 |
| CARTHAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage | 15.5 mi | 6.0 |
| LEAKE CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carthage | 15.7 mi | 7.5 |
| LEAKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carthage | 16.1 mi | 5.2 |
| REUBEN B. MYERS CANTON SCHOOL OF AR Canton | 16.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Red Water Elementary School Carthage | 17.1 mi | 8.1 |
| LEAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carthage | 17.1 mi | 4.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AMITE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Liberty, MS | 6.4 |
| FRANKLIN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Meadville, MS | 6.7 |
| BAY SPRINGS MIDDLE SCH Bay Springs, MS | 6.8 |
| HEIDELBERG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg, MS | 5.9 |
| OKOLONA MIDDLE SCHOOL Okolona, MS | 7.1 |
| ROD PAIGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Monticello, MS | 5.8 |
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 ranks #437 of 863 schools in MS.
What is Shirley D. Simmons Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shirley D. Simmons Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Shirley D. Simmons Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Shirley D. Simmons Middle School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.6%
- Phone
- (601) 855-2406
Resources & Links
District
MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 12,971
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,248
- District Rank
- #13 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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