Jeff Davis County Middle School

Jeff Davis County Middle School is a public middle school in Prentiss, MS, serving 262 students in grades 6–8 as part of the Jeff Davis County School District. The school holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 39th percentile of Mississippi middle schools, placing it somewhat below the state average. It serves a highly economically disadvantaged population—98.85% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025, and 100% did in the two prior years.

Compared to the nearest comparable school, Rod Paige Middle School in Monticello (about 15 miles away), Jeff Davis has a larger student body and a higher student-teacher ratio (16.4 vs. 9.8). Rod Paige also ranks higher overall (64th percentile, 3 stars) and has a lower poverty rate (82.2%). However, Jeff Davis outperforms Rod Paige in one important area: chronic absenteeism. About 23.4% of Jeff Davis students were chronically absent in 2023–2024, essentially matching the state average, while Rod Paige's rate was 35.1%.

Academically, Jeff Davis trails Rod Paige in most subjects, particularly in 8th grade math (42.2% vs. 66.7% proficient) and 8th grade science (51.7% vs. 72.1%). Its biggest challenge is 6th grade math, where only 23.2% of students scored proficient in 2025–2026, compared to 52.7% statewide—a gap that has persisted for several years. But there are bright spots: 7th grade math proficiency (56.5%) nearly matches the state average, and 6th grade ELA improved from 33.7% to 41.9% over two years. The school's scores exactly match its district's scores, meaning it is likely the only middle school contributing to the district's middle school results.