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Vancleave Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

21^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 260 Mississippi Middle Schools

Better than 92% of Mississippi middle schools

Summary

Vancleave Middle School serves 562 students in grades 6–8 in Vancleave, Mississippi. It belongs to the Jackson County School District, which ranks 2nd out of 134 districts in the state. For the 2025–2026 school year, the school ranks 21st out of 260 Mississippi middle schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile with a 5-star rating. Over the past five years, Vancleave has ranked as high as 12th and as low as 35th statewide, never falling out of the top 15% — a sign of strong institutional stability. Its student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 is slightly more favorable than at nearby East Central Middle School (14.0:1) and St. Martin Middle School (14.4:1).

Academically, Vancleave's standout subjects are 8th-grade math and science. In 2025–2026, 85.5% of 8th graders scored proficient in science — far above the state average of 57.8% and ahead of every nearby middle school, including Ocean Springs Middle School (80.4%) and East Central Middle School (80.3%). In 8th-grade math, 76.2% scored proficient, beating the state average of 51.4% and outpacing St. Martin Middle School (61.8%) and Ocean Springs Middle School (70.3%). The school also stands out for attendance: its chronic absenteeism rate of 17.6% is well below the state rate of 23.9% and lower than most area schools, including Gautier Middle (28.3%) and Magnolia Middle School (38.3%). Vancleave achieves these results while about 55% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — outperforming several neighboring schools with much lower poverty rates.

The main area of opportunity is upper-grade English Language Arts. While 6th-grade ELA proficiency is excellent at 70.3%, it drops to 54.5% in 7th grade and 53.4% in 8th grade. Within the Jackson County School District, East Central Middle School is Vancleave's closest rival: it ranks slightly higher statewide and leads in 8th-grade math and ELA, but Vancleave counters with stronger 6th- and 7th-grade ELA and higher 8th-grade science scores. Overall, Vancleave Middle School is one of the leading middle schools on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, delivering results that rival — and in some subjects exceed — schools in wealthier districts like Ocean Springs School District.

562

Students ?

13.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,686

Per pupil spending ?

55.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4725 Bull Dog Ln
Vancleave, MS 39565-9630

(228) 283-3800

District: Jackson County School District

Students who attend Vancleave Middle School usually attend:

High:

Vancleave High School

Feeder schools for Vancleave Middle School:

Elementary:	Vancleave Lower Elementary
	Vancleave Upper Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.0%

Hispanic:

4.6%

Two or more races:

3.2%

See top rated Mississippi middle schools

Compare Vancleave Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 92nd percentile in 2016 → 92nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Mississippi average (67% vs 49% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 8% of Mississippi middle schools

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school67%

District avg64%

Mississippi avg49%

21^st of 260

Mississippi public middle schools ?

Top 8%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Mississippi Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Middle Schools in the Jackson County School District

2^nd of 134Jackson County School District among Mississippi districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Mississippi percentile	Rating
2026	88.7	21 of 260	91.9%	★★★★★
2025	82.4	35 of 266	86.8%	★★★★☆
2024	90.9	15 of 264	94.3%	★★★★★
2023	90.4	17 of 243	93.0%	★★★★★
2022	92.0	12 of 257	95.3%	★★★★★
2021	88.6	19 of 257	92.6%	★★★★★
2019	80.6	44 of 264	83.3%	★★★★☆
2018	83.8	37 of 252	85.3%	★★★★☆
2017	88.7	20 of 272	92.6%	★★★★★
2016	88.7	20 of 260	92.3%	★★★★★
2015	75.2	56 of 266	78.9%	★★★★☆
2014	67.2	81 of 264	69.3%	★★★★☆
2013	64.9	93 of 269	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	76.9	46 of 270	83.0%	★★★★☆
2011	72.2	65 of 264	75.4%	★★★★☆
2010	66.9	81 of 255	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	67.9	70 of 247	71.7%	★★★★☆
2008	79.2	38 of 244	84.4%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Mississippi (2025-2026) ?

Science86%+28 vs state

Mathematics69%+15 vs state

English Language Arts59%+17 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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by a parent
Friday, August 22, 2014

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Schools Near Vancleave Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MAAP English Language Arts (2026)					MAAP Mathematics (2026)					MAAP Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Science 5th Grade	MAAP Science 8th Grade	Total
Vancleave Middle School	Public	6-8	4725 Bull Dog Ln	Vancleave	39565	Jackson County	Jackson County School District	No	No	No	No	(228) 283-3800	562	42	13.5	55.3%	500 (89.0%)	11 (2.0%)	26 (4.6%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.2%)	88.7	21^st of 260 public middle schools	91.9%		82.4	35^th of 266 public middle schools	86.8%	14			70.3	54.5	53.4			61.8	67.8	76.2		85.5	$10,686
Singing River	Public	5-6	4601 Vancleave Road	Gautier	39553	Jackson County	Pascagoula-Gautier School District	No	No	No	Yes	(228) 522-8835	416	38	10.9	70.7%	155 (37.3%)	138 (33.2%)	86 (20.7%)	4 (1.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (7.5%)								(n/a)		53.2	54.7				42.4	66.0			66.8		$15,184
St. Martin Middle School	Public	6-8	10800 Yellowjacket Blvd	Ocean Springs	39564	Jackson County	Jackson County School District	No	No	No	No	(228) 283-3500	946	65	14.4	61.9%	534 (56.4%)	185 (19.6%)	98 (10.4%)	67 (7.1%)	3 (0.3%)	4 (0.4%)	55 (5.8%)	78.9	46^th of 260 public middle schools	82.3%		74.1	64^th of 266 public middle schools	75.9%	18			52.0	49.7	54.7			52.4	73.9	61.8		70.5	$10,174
Ocean Springs Middle School	Public	7-8	3600 Hanshaw Rd	Ocean Springs	39564	Jackson County	Ocean Springs School District	No	No	No	No	(228) 872-6210	899	64	14.0	39.4%	618 (68.7%)	137 (15.2%)	71 (7.9%)	31 (3.4%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	38 (4.2%)	93.5	4^th of 260 public middle schools	98.5%		94.3	3^rd of 266 public middle schools	98.9%	1				56.3	61.1				78.5	70.3		80.4	$9,796
Ocean Springs Upper Elementary	Public	4-6	2320 Government St	Ocean Springs	39564	Jackson County	Ocean Springs School District	No	No	No	No	(228) 875-4367	1,284	89	14.4	38.2%	887 (69.1%)	158 (12.3%)	127 (9.9%)	37 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.2%)	72 (5.6%)								(n/a)	71.3	77.0	72.5			65.9	75.6	81.7			91.8		$9,378
Gautier Middle	Public	7-8	1920 Graveline Road	Gautier	39553	Jackson County	Pascagoula-Gautier School District	No	No	No	Yes	(228) 522-8806	416	41	10.0	71.9%	140 (33.7%)	155 (37.3%)	97 (23.3%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.8%)	56.1	108^th of 260 public middle schools	58.5%		58.5	113^th of 266 public middle schools	57.5%	5				41.7	37.1				55.2	47.1		55.1	$16,068
Magnolia Middle School	Public	6-8	4630 Magnolia St	Moss Point	39563	Jackson County	Moss Point School District	No	No	No	Yes	(228) 475-1429	359	27	13.4	100.0%	56 (15.6%)	258 (71.9%)	42 (11.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	30.9	186^th of 260 public middle schools	28.5%		27.2	199^th of 266 public middle schools	25.2%	13			37.0	24.5	28.2			31.0	56.2	38.9		45.9	$19,589
D'Iberville Middle School	Public	4-8	3320 Warrior Drive	Diberville	39540	Harrison County	Harrison County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(228) 392-1746	503	36	13.7	99.2%	190 (37.8%)	134 (26.6%)	92 (18.3%)	46 (9.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (7.8%)	77.2	55^th of 260 public middle schools	78.8%		78.2	51^st of 266 public middle schools	80.8%	4	62.0	64.0	60.0	45.8	44.0	62.0	64.1	72.2	74.3	53.0	72.8	62.0	$12,296
East Central Middle School	Public	6-8	21725 Slider Road	Moss Point	39555	Jackson County	Jackson County School District	No	No	No	No	(228) 283-3170	541	38	14.0	53.0%	505 (93.3%)	13 (2.4%)	15 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.5%)	90.7	12^th of 260 public middle schools	95.4%		87.4	17^th of 266 public middle schools	93.6%	5			61.1	49.8	59.9			73.0	74.9	79.6		80.3	$10,273
Trent Lott	Public	5-6	2234 Pascagoula	Pascagoula	39567	Jackson County	Pascagoula-Gautier School District	No	No	No	Yes	(228) 938-6465	524	47	11.0	72.1%	136 (26.0%)	229 (43.7%)	129 (24.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.3%)								(n/a)		53.6	45.7				42.4	45.4			59.6		$15,197

Frequently Asked Questions about Vancleave Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Vancleave Middle School?

Students at Vancleave Middle School are 89% White, 5% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.

What high school do graduates of Vancleave Middle School attend?

Students who attend Vancleave Middle School usually go on to attend Vancleave High School

Is Vancleave Middle School a good school?

Yes. Vancleave Middle School ranks in the top 8.1% of Mississippi middle schools.

What district is Vancleave Middle School in?

Jackson County School District

How many students attend Vancleave Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 562 students attended Vancleave Middle School.

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Schools in Vancleave, MS

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Latest Mississippi data All new data »

2025–26 MAAP test scoresAug 21, 2026

2023–24 school spending dataSep 26, 2025

2023–24 through 2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 26, 2025

2023–24 graduation ratesSep 23, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Mississippi Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.