U.S. News & World Report’s recently released 2025 list of top public elementary schools once again ranks Barack Obama Magnet School No. 1 in the state.
Jackson School received an overall score of 100 out of 100. The rankings were determined using publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education. This year’s list marks the fourth time since 2017 that the school has been ranked No. 1 in the state.
The study did not rank elementary schools nationally, but by state and by individual school district.
top 10
Below are the top 10 public elementary schools in Mississippi for 2025, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Barack Obama Magnet Elementary School, Jackson Public School District, Jackson Laurel Magnet School of the Arts, Laurel School District, Laurel North Woolmarket Elementary and Middle School, Harrison County School District, Biloxi West Union Attendance Center, Union County School District, Myrtle Bayou View Elementary School , Gulfport Gulfport School District North Shore Elementary School, Rankin County School District, Brandon Lizana Elementary School, Harrison County School District, Gulfport Florence Elementary School, Rankin County School District, Florence Madison Station Elementary School, Madison County School District, Madison Lewisburg Elementary School, DeSoto County School District, olive brunch
Check out our middle school rankings: Here are the top 10 public middle schools in Mississippi for 2025. See where we ranked.
methodology
U.S. News analyzed data from 733 public elementary schools in Mississippi for the 2025 rankings.
Much of the ranking process focused on state tests. The study looked at how many students in each elementary school scored proficient or above proficient on state assessments in math, reading, and language arts. These test scores were stacked against the school’s socio-economic demographics to ensure each school had a level playing field.
Schools were given an overall score from 0 to 100. The numerical score represents the school’s percentile ranking. In other words, a school with a score of 55 performed in the 55th percentile. That means 45% of the schools ranked in the state outperformed their school, and 55% did not perform as well.
jackson public school
U.S. News & World Report also ranks elementary schools by individual school district.
Statewide, five JPS elementary schools ranked in the top 100.
Below are the Jackson Public School District’s top 10 public elementary schools and statewide rankings for 2025 by U.S. News and World Report.
Barack Obama Magnet Elementary School, #1 Statewide Ida B. Wells APAC Elementary School, #20 Statewide McWillie Elementary School, #54 Statewide Lester Elementary School, #83 Statewide Casey Elementary School, #100 Statewide John – Hopkins Elementary School, ranked 175th in the state Key Elementary School, ranked 255th in the state in Span Elementary School, ranked 264th in the state in Lake Elementary School, ranked 264th in the state. #289 Johnson Elementary School, #290 Statewide
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Madison County Schools
The Madison County School District had eight public elementary schools on the 2025 U.S. News and World Report list. Statewide, five of those eight schools ranked within the top 100.
Below are the eight public elementary schools ranked Madison County School District in 2025 and the statewide rankings, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Madison Station Elementary School, 9th place in the state Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School, 15th place in the state Munsdale Upper Elementary School, 19th place in the state Luther Branson Elementary School, 37th place in the state Camden Elementary School, 53rd place in the state Madison Crossing Elementary School, 124th place in the state Highland Elementary school, 151st overall in the state East Flora Elementary School, 283rd overall in the state
Rankin County Schools
Rankin County School District had 13 public elementary schools ranked in 2025. Statewide, four of those 13 schools made the top 100.
Below are the rankings of the 13 public elementary schools in the Rankin County School District and the statewide rankings for 2025 by U.S. News and World Report.
North Shore Elementary School, #6 in the state Florence Elementary School, #8 in the state Brandon Elementary School, #33 in the state Flowood Elementary School, #86 in the state Oakdale Elementary School, #106 in the state Pisgah Elementary School, #108 in the state. Northwest Elementary School, No. 127 in the state Puckett Elementary School, No. 163 in the state Richland Upper Elementary School, No. 167 in the state Highland Bluff Elementary School, No. 167 in the state 193 schools
Forest County Schools
Forest County School District had five public elementary schools ranked in 2025. Only one of those five schools ranked within the top 100 schools statewide.
Below are the 2025 rankings of the five public elementary schools in the Forest County School District and the statewide rankings by U.S. News and World Report.
Dixie Attendance Center, 46th overall in the state North Forest Attendance Center, 101st overall in the state Rawls Springs Attendance Center, 121st overall in the state Earl Travillion Attendance Center, 262nd overall in the state South Forest Attendance Center, 287th overall in the state
lamar county schools
The Lamar County School District has five public elementary schools ranked in 2025. Statewide, two out of five schools are ranked in the top 100.
Below are the 2025 rankings of the five public elementary schools in the Forest County School District and the statewide rankings by U.S. News and World Report.
Bellevue Elementary School, 43rd overall in the state Longleaf Elementary School, 59th in the state Sumrall Elementary School, 134th overall in the state Purvis Upper Elementary School, 237th in the state Lumberton Elementary School, 320-426th in the state
U.S. News and World Report hides individual rankings for schools below 320th place.
Have a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com
