For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public middle schools serving 4,421 students in Jackson County, MS. The top-ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, MS are Ocean Springs Middle School, Vancleave Middle School and East Central Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, MS public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Mississippi public middle school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 39% statewide average). Middle schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Mississippi public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public middle school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Jackson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ocean Springs Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3600 Hanshaw Rd
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228) 872-6210
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228) 872-6210
Gr: 7-8 | 899 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #22.
Vancleave Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4725 Bull Dog Ln
Vancleave, MS 39565
(228) 283-3800
Vancleave, MS 39565
(228) 283-3800
Gr: 6-8 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
East Central Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
21725 Slider Road, Po Box 13 H
Hurley, MS 39555
(228) 283-3170
Hurley, MS 39555
(228) 283-3170
Gr: 6-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Gautier Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1920 Graveline Road
Gautier, MS 39553
(228) 522-8806
Gautier, MS 39553
(228) 522-8806
Gr: 7-8 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #55.
St. Martin Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
10800 Yellowjacket Blvd
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228) 283-3500
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228) 283-3500
Gr: 6-8 | 946 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #66.
William M Colmer Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3112 Eden Street
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(228) 938-6474
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(228) 938-6474
Gr: 7-8 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #77.
Magnolia Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4630 Magnolia St
Moss Point, MS 39563
(228) 475-1429
Moss Point, MS 39563
(228) 475-1429
Gr: 6-8 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #88.
Jackson County Exceptional
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4311 Hospital Road
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(228) 762-1457
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(228) 762-1457
Gr: K-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: n/an/a
Moss Point Alternative School
Alternative School
4913 Weems St.
Moss Point, MS 39563
(228) 475-3543
Moss Point, MS 39563
(228) 475-3543
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Pascagoula Opportunity Center
Alternative School
1520 Tucker Avenue
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(228) 938-6222
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(228) 938-6222
Gr: K-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, MS?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Jackson County, MS include Ocean Springs Middle School, Vancleave Middle School and East Central Middle School. Jackson County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Mississippi.
How many public middle schools are located in Jackson County?
10 public middle schools are located in Jackson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County?
Jackson County public middle schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public middle schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Jackson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Jackson County include: St. Martin Middle School vs. Vancleave Middle School, Gautier Middle School vs. Vancleave Middle School, Vancleave Middle School vs. St. Martin Middle School
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