Top 10 Public High Schools in Mississippi

Direct Answer

The Best Overall public high school in Mississippi is the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) in Columbus, a tuition-free statewide residential magnet for juniors and seniors that posts the state's highest average ACT composite (around 28–30) and sends graduates to schools like MIT, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State at rates no traditional school matches.

The Best Value pick is Oxford High School, a free Lafayette County public school that pairs a deep AP catalog and a 94%+ graduation rate with the academic pull of being next door to the University of Mississippi — outcomes that rival pricey privates at zero tuition.

This list is built for Mississippi families and students weighing where to enroll, covering the whole state from the Gulf Coast to the Memphis suburbs. Every pick below uses real, publicly reported data from the Mississippi Department of Education, U.S. News, and Niche.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each school against the priorities Mississippi families actually raise — strong academics, real college outcomes, safety, and whether a kid will thrive — using published figures from the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), U.S. News & World Report, Niche, GreatSchools, College Board, and NCES.

The weighting:

• Academic performance (test scores, proficiency) — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment and safety — 15%
• Extracurriculars and fit — 10%

A school that posts strong test scores but graduates few students, or offers great sports but thin academics, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (Columbus) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public Residential Magnet | Tuition: Free (public, statewide) | Best for: High-achieving juniors and seniors from anywhere in Mississippi

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS), housed on the Mississippi University for Women campus in Columbus (Lowndes County), is the state's premier public school and a national standout. It enrolls roughly 240 students across only the 11th and 12th grades, drawn by competitive application from all 82 counties.

MSMS routinely posts the highest average ACT composite in Mississippi — around 28 to 30 — against a state average near 18. Its graduation rate sits at essentially 100%, and its course catalog runs to genuine college-level math, science, computer science, and humanities taught in small seminars.

Graduates have matriculated to MIT, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Rice, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State, and the school produces a disproportionate share of the state's National Merit Scholars. Because students live on campus, the experience blends academics with a tight residential community.

Pros:

• Highest average ACT composite in the state (around 28–30)
• Free, statewide admission for any qualified Mississippi student
• Near-100% graduation and elite college matriculation
• College-level seminars in STEM and humanities

Cons:

• Only open to juniors and seniors who relocate to campus
• Competitive application excludes many who apply

Verdict: MSMS is the clear best public high school in Mississippi — unmatched academics and outcomes at zero tuition.

2. Madison Central High School (Madison)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families in the affluent Jackson suburbs wanting big-school academics and athletics

Madison Central High School, in the Madison County School District north of Jackson, is one of the largest and strongest traditional high schools in the state, enrolling roughly 1,500–1,600 students. It carries an A accountability rating from the MDE and a graduation rate above 95%.

The school offers a robust AP program spanning calculus, sciences, English, and history, and its students consistently outscore state averages on the ACT, with a school average commonly in the 22–24 range. Madison Central is also an athletic and band powerhouse, fielding deep programs across football, soccer, and a nationally regarded marching band.

Graduates land at Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Millsaps, and out-of-state flagships in strong numbers.

Pros:

• A-rated school with a 95%+ graduation rate
• Deep AP catalog and above-average ACT performance
• Powerhouse athletics and award-winning band
• Affluent, well-resourced suburban district

Cons:

• Large enrollment can feel impersonal for some students
• Housing in Madison runs expensive for the zone

Verdict: The strongest traditional public high school in the Jackson metro — big, well-funded, and academically deep.

3. Oxford High School (Oxford) 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families who want private-school outcomes for free in a college town

Oxford High School, in the Oxford School District (Lafayette County), delivers some of the best outcomes-per-dollar in the state — top-tier academics at zero tuition in a town anchored by the University of Mississippi. It enrolls around 1,200 students, holds an A rating, and posts a graduation rate near 94–96%.

The school offers a wide AP slate and dual-enrollment options through Ole Miss, and its average ACT composite typically lands in the 23–25 range, well above the state norm. Proximity to the university gives students access to research, libraries, and a college-bound peer culture.

Graduates flow heavily into Ole Miss as well as selective out-of-state schools.

Pros:

• A-rated academics with a 94%+ graduation rate
• Dual enrollment and resources through the University of Mississippi
• Above-average ACT scores (around 23–25)
• Vibrant college-town environment at no tuition cost

Cons:

• Oxford's popularity drives up local housing costs
• Smaller than some metro schools, limiting course sections

Verdict: The best value in Mississippi — private-caliber outcomes, free, in a thriving college town.

4. Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Gulf Coast families wanting a strong, well-rounded comprehensive school

Ocean Springs High School, in the Ocean Springs School District (Jackson County) on the Gulf Coast, is the standout public high school in coastal Mississippi. It enrolls roughly 1,600 students, holds an A accountability rating, and reports a graduation rate above 90%.

The school runs a solid AP and dual-credit program through coordination with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and its ACT averages run above state levels. Ocean Springs is known for strong arts, robotics, and athletics, and it benefits from an engaged community in one of the coast's most desirable towns.

Graduates head to Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, and coastal community colleges.

Pros:

• A-rated school with a 90%+ graduation rate
• Strong AP and dual-credit pathways via Gulf Coast CC
• Respected arts, robotics, and athletics programs
• Engaged community in a desirable coastal town

Cons:

• Hurricane-season disruptions can affect the calendar
• Larger classes in core subjects at peak enrollment

Verdict: The clear top pick on the Gulf Coast — well-rounded, A-rated, and community-anchored.

5. Northwest Rankin High School (Flowood)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: East-metro Jackson families wanting a large, high-performing comprehensive school

Northwest Rankin High School, in the Rankin County School District near Flowood, is one of the biggest and most successful schools in the Jackson metro, with an enrollment around 1,500–1,700 students. It earns an A rating and posts a graduation rate above 90%.

The school offers an extensive AP program and strong career-and-technical tracks, with ACT averages above the state mean. Northwest Rankin is also an athletic standout, with competitive teams across multiple sports and a strong band. Graduates matriculate to Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Holmes Community College in large numbers.

Pros:

• A-rated, high-enrollment school with deep course offerings
• Graduation rate above 90%
• Strong AP and career-technical pathways
• Competitive athletics across many sports

Cons:

• Very large size can dilute individual attention
• Rapid district growth strains some facilities

Verdict: A flagship of the fast-growing Rankin County district — large, A-rated, and well-rounded.

6. Saltillo High School (Saltillo)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Northeast Mississippi families near Tupelo wanting a solid, affordable comprehensive school

Saltillo High School, in the Lee County School District just north of Tupelo, anchors strong academics in northeast Mississippi. It enrolls roughly 1,100–1,300 students, carries a strong accountability rating, and posts a graduation rate above 90%. The school offers a respectable AP and dual-enrollment slate through Itawamba Community College, with ACT scores at or above state averages.

Saltillo is known for a stable, community-rooted environment and competitive athletics. Graduates head to Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Itawamba CC, with many staying in the growing Tupelo-area economy.

Pros:

• Strong accountability rating and 90%+ graduation rate
• Dual enrollment through Itawamba Community College
• Stable, community-rooted environment
• Affordable area near the Tupelo job market

Cons:

• Fewer advanced course sections than metro schools
• Limited specialized magnet-style programs

Verdict: The best public high school in the Tupelo area — solid, stable, and affordable.

7. Petal High School (Petal)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Pine Belt families near Hattiesburg wanting a high-performing district school

Petal High School, the flagship of the Petal School District near Hattiesburg, is one of the highest-rated districts in south Mississippi. The school enrolls around 1,200 students, has long held an A rating, and reports a graduation rate above 90%. Petal offers a strong AP program and dual-credit options coordinated with William Carey University and Pearl River Community College, and its students score above state averages on the ACT.

The district is known for excellent leadership and community support, and its athletics and band are perennially competitive. Graduates flow to Southern Miss, Mississippi State, and William Carey.

Pros:

• Long-standing A rating in a top-led district
• Graduation rate above 90%
• Strong AP and dual-credit pathways
• Excellent community and district support

Cons:

• Smaller than the largest metro high schools
• Local growth is pressuring facility capacity

Verdict: The premier public high school in the Hattiesburg area — A-rated and exceptionally well-run.

8. Center Hill High School (Olive Branch)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: DeSoto County families in the Memphis suburbs wanting a modern, growing school

Center Hill High School, in the DeSoto County School District near Olive Branch, serves the fast-growing Memphis-suburb corridor of north Mississippi. It enrolls roughly 1,400–1,600 students and posts a graduation rate above 90% within one of the largest and best-funded districts in the state.

The school offers a broad AP and Advanced Placement Capstone program plus strong career-technical pathways, with ACT scores near or above state averages. DeSoto County's tax base supports modern facilities, and Center Hill fields competitive athletics. Graduates head to Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and the University of Memphis across the state line.

Pros:

• Modern facilities in a large, well-funded district
• Graduation rate above 90%
• Broad AP and AP Capstone offerings
• Strong career-technical pathways

Cons:

• Rapid suburban growth crowds some grade levels
• Newer school with a shorter performance track record

Verdict: A top choice in booming DeSoto County — modern, well-funded, and college-focused.

9. Clinton High School (Clinton)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: West-metro Jackson families wanting a tradition-rich, high-performing school

Clinton High School, the lone high school of the Clinton Public School District west of Jackson, is a perennially top-rated, tradition-rich school. It enrolls roughly 1,400 students, has repeatedly earned an A rating, and posts a graduation rate above 90%. The district's unique single-school-per-grade-band model channels resources, and Clinton offers a deep AP catalog with ACT scores above the state average.

The school is nationally known for its Arrow band program and competitive academics and athletics. Graduates matriculate to Mississippi College (located in Clinton), Mississippi State, and Ole Miss.

Pros:

• Repeat A rating with a 90%+ graduation rate
• Deep AP catalog and above-average ACT scores
• Nationally recognized band and strong athletics
• Resource-concentrated single-high-school district

Cons:

• One high school means limited scheduling flexibility
• High enrollment in a single building feels crowded

Verdict: A consistently excellent west-metro school — academically deep with a storied band tradition.

10. Long Beach High School (Long Beach)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Gulf Coast families wanting a smaller, high-quality coastal school

Long Beach High School, in the Long Beach School District (Harrison County) on the western Gulf Coast, rounds out the list as one of the coast's strongest smaller schools. It enrolls roughly 900–1,000 students, holds a strong accountability rating, and reports a graduation rate above 90%.

The school offers a solid AP and dual-credit program via Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, with ACT scores at or above state averages. Long Beach's smaller size supports a close community feel, and its athletics and arts programs are competitive on the coast. Graduates head to Southern Miss, Mississippi State, and Gulf Coast CC.

Pros:

• Strong rating with a 90%+ graduation rate
• Solid AP and dual-credit options via Gulf Coast CC
• Smaller size supports a close community feel
• Desirable, walkable coastal town

Cons:

• Smaller enrollment limits the number of advanced sections
• Coastal weather can disrupt the calendar

Verdict: A high-quality, community-focused coastal option — strong outcomes in a smaller setting.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School

• Accountability rating and proficiency — Check the school's MDE letter grade (A–F) and state-test proficiency, not just reputation. An A rating reflects measured academic results.
• Graduation rate and ACT scores — A graduation rate above 90% and an ACT composite above the state average (~18) signal real college readiness.
• AP, IB, and dual enrollment — Count the actual AP courses and any dual-credit partnerships with nearby colleges; these stretch strong students and cut college costs.
• College matriculation — Ask where graduates actually enroll. Schools feeding Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and selective out-of-state colleges prove their outcomes.
• Teachers and resources — Look at student-teacher ratios, counselor access, and facilities; well-funded districts like Madison, Rankin, and DeSoto invest more per student.
• Environment, safety, and fit — Visit. A school's size, culture, athletics, and band can matter as much as scores for whether your student thrives.

What matters less than marketing implies: glossy new stadiums, single championship banners, and enrollment size alone. A big school with a low graduation rate serves families worse than a smaller A-rated one — weigh measured outcomes over flash.

FAQ

What is the best public high school in Mississippi? The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) in Columbus is the best, posting the state's highest average ACT (around 28–30), a near-100% graduation rate, and elite college matriculation — all tuition-free for qualified juniors and seniors statewide.

What is the best-value public high school in Mississippi? Oxford High School is the best value: an A-rated, free public school with a 94%+ graduation rate, a deep AP catalog, and University of Mississippi dual-enrollment access — private-caliber outcomes at zero tuition.

Which Mississippi high schools have the highest test scores? MSMS leads by a wide margin on the ACT. Among traditional schools, Madison Central, Oxford, Clinton, and Petal consistently post ACT averages in the low-to-mid 20s, well above the state mean near 18.

Do I have to relocate to attend MSMS? Yes. MSMS is a residential school on the Mississippi University for Women campus in Columbus, so admitted juniors and seniors live on campus. It is free, but students relocate for the school year.

Which Gulf Coast public high school is best? Ocean Springs High School is the top coastal pick — an A-rated comprehensive school with strong AP, arts, and athletics — followed closely by the smaller, community-focused Long Beach High School.

How are Mississippi public schools rated? The Mississippi Department of Education assigns each school and district an annual A–F accountability grade based on test proficiency, growth, graduation rate, and college-and-career readiness. U.S. News and Niche add national rankings layered on similar data.

Bottom Line

For Mississippi families, the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) in Columbus is the Best Overall public high school — the state's highest ACT scores, near-perfect graduation, and elite college matriculation, all free for qualified juniors and seniors. Oxford High School is the Best Value, delivering A-rated, private-caliber outcomes at zero tuition in a thriving college town.

If you need to stay in your home region, use the decision tree above to route toward Madison Central, Ocean Springs, Northwest Rankin, Petal, Center Hill, Clinton, or the coast. Weigh measured outcomes — accountability grades, graduation rates, and ACT scores — over stadiums and reputation, and your student will land in a school that delivers.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best High Schools in Mississippi
• Niche — Best Public High Schools in Mississippi
• GreatSchools — Mississippi school ratings
• Mississippi Department of Education — Accountability and grades
• College Board — AP and dual-enrollment information
• NCES — National Center for Education Statistics
• Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
• Oxford School District
• Madison County School District
• Rankin County School District

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