Best Jackson Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 49 public schools serving 19,840 students in Jackson, MS (there are 26 private schools, serving 4,821 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Jackson, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson, MS are Barack Obama Elementary School, Mcwillie Elementary School and Northwest Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Jackson have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Jackson, MS (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Barack Obama Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
750 N. Congress Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 960-5334
Gr: K-5 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #22.
Mcwillie Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4851 Mcwillie Circle
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 987-3709
Gr: PK-5 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #33.
Northwest Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7020 Highway 49 North
Jackson, MS 39213
(601) 987-3609
Gr: 6-8 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Wells Apac Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1120 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 960-5387
Gr: 4-5 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #55.
Bailey Apac Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7020 Us 49 North
Jackson, MS 39213
(601) 987-3609
Gr: 6-8 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #66.
Casey Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2101 Lake Circle
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 987-3510
Gr: PK-5 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
John Hopkins Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
170 John Hopkins Rd
Jackson, MS 39209
(601) 923-2540
Gr: PK-5 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #88.
Jim Hill High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2185 Coach Fred Harris Street
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 960-5354
Gr: 9-12 | 975 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Shirley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
330 Judy Street
Jackson, MS 39212
(601) 371-4336
Gr: PK-5
Rank: #1010.
Green Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
610 Forest Avenue
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 987-3519
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #1111.
Key Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
699 W Mcdowell Road
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 371-4333
Gr: PK-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Callaway High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Beasley Road
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 987-3535
Gr: 9-13 | 993 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1313.
Murrah High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Murrah Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 960-5380
Gr: 9-13 | 1,251 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
Spann Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1615 Brecon Dr
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 987-3532
Gr: K-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1515.
Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1339 Oak Park Drive
Jackson, MS 39213
(601) 987-3501
Gr: PK-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Mcleod Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1616 Sandlewood Place
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 987-3597
Gr: PK-5 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
North Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
650 James M. Davis Drive
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 987-3528
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1818.
Peeples Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2940 Belvedere Drive
Jackson, MS 39212
(601) 346-5660
Gr: 6-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1919.
Clausell Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3330 Harley Street
Jackson, MS 39209
(601) 960-5319
Gr: K-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #2020.
Pecan Park Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
415 Claiborne Ave
Jackson, MS 39209
(601) 960-5444
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2121.
Timberlawn Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1980 N. Siwell Road
Jackson, MS 39209
(601) 923-2556
Gr: K-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
Forest Hill High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2607 Raymond Road
Jackson, MS 39212
(601) 371-4313
Gr: 9-13 | 1,134 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Galloway Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
186 Idlewild Street
Jackson, MS 39203
(601) 960-5313
Gr: PK-5 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Wilkins Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1970 Castle Hill Drive
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 371-4306
Gr: K-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2525.
Provine High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2400 Robinson Street
Jackson, MS 39209
(601) 960-5393
Gr: 9-12 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #2626.
Ambition Preparatory Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5331 Clinton Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39209
(601) 487-1658
Gr: K-6 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2727.
Van Winkle Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1655 Whiting Rd
Jackson, MS 39209
(601) 923-2547
Gr: PK | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #2828.
Smilow Prep
Charter School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
787 E Northside Dr.
Jackson, MS 39206
(769) 524-5330
Gr: 5-8 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #2929.
Isable Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1716 Isable Street
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 960-5310
Gr: K-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3030.
Oak Forest Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1831 Smallwood Street
Jackson, MS 39212
(601) 371-4330
Gr: K-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #3131.
Smilow Collegiate
Charter School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
787 E. Northside Dr.
Jackson, MS 39206
(769) 524-5340
Gr: K-4 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3232.
Lanier Junior/senior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
833 Maple Street
Jackson, MS 39203
(601) 960-5369
Gr: 7-12 | 895 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3333.
Reimagine Prep
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
309 W. Mcdowell Rd.
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 941-0844
Gr: 5-8 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Bates Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3180 Mcdowell Rd. Ext.
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 346-1412
Gr: K-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Boyd Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4531 Broadmeadow Street
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 987-3504
Gr: K-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Show 14 more public schools in Jackson, MS (out of 49 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Jackson, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson, MS include Barack Obama Elementary School, Mcwillie Elementary School and Northwest Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Jackson?
49 public schools are located in Jackson.
What percentage of students in Jackson go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Jackson are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson?
Jackson public schools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Jackson are often viewed compared to one another?

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