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Best private high schools in Mississippi

Written by:
April 10, 2024
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Best private high schools in Mississippi

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Mississippi using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

A class of high schoolers as viewed from the rear.
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#30. Laurel Christian School

- Location: Laurel, MS
- Enrollment: 435 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

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#29. Tunica Academy

- Location: Tunica, MS
- Enrollment: 254 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A student talking to a teacher in the hallway.
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#28. Manchester Academy

- Location: Yazoo City, MS
- Enrollment: 417 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

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#27. Madison-Ridgeland Academy

- Location: Madison, MS
- Enrollment: 1,310 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

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#26. Adams County Christian School

- Location: Natchez, MS
- Enrollment: 368 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A high school student doing a chemical experiment.
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#25. Columbia Academy

- Location: Columbia, MS
- Enrollment: 434 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A high school student sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper.
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#24. Victory Christian Academy

- Location: New Albany, MS
- Enrollment: 82 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A student raising their hand in class.
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#23. Heritage Academy

- Location: Columbus, MS
- Enrollment: 481 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

An empty school hallway lined with red lockers.
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#22. Bass Memorial Academy

- Location: Lumberton, MS
- Enrollment: 90 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#21. Presbyterian Christian School

- Location: Hattiesburg, MS
- Enrollment: 945 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#20. Christian Collegiate Academy

- Location: Gulfport, MS
- Enrollment: 305 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#19. Tupelo Christian Preparatory School

- Location: Belden, MS
- Enrollment: 558 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#18. Northpoint Christian School

- Location: Southaven, MS
- Enrollment: 1,070 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#17. Our Lady Academy

- Location: Bay St Louis, MS
- Enrollment: 225 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#16. St. Joseph Catholic School

- Location: Greenville, MS
- Enrollment: 266 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

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#15. Russell Christian Academy

- Location: Meridian, MS
- Enrollment: 460 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. Friendship Christian Academy

- Location: Victoria, MS
- Enrollment: 50 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

Students using microscopes in science class.
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#13. Cathedral School

- Location: Natchez, MS
- Enrollment: 668 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. Clinton Christian Academy

- Location: Clinton, MS
- Enrollment: 296 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students raising their hands for class participation.
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#11. Saint Stanislaus High School

- Location: Bay St. Louis, MS
- Enrollment: 342 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#10. Lee Academy

- Location: Clarksdale, MS
- Enrollment: 155 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. St. Joseph Catholic School

- Location: Madison, MS
- Enrollment: 396 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#8. Mt. Salus Christian School

- Location: Clinton, MS
- Enrollment: 129 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A teacher writing an equation on a blackboard using chalk.
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#7. Lamar School

- Location: Meridian, MS
- Enrollment: 571 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. St. Patrick Catholic High School

- Location: Biloxi, MS
- Enrollment: 671 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. Washington School

- Location: Greenville, MS
- Enrollment: 466 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#4. Jackson Academy

- Location: Jackson, MS
- Enrollment: 1,200 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Two rows of red lockers.
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#3. Sacred Heart Catholic School

- Location: Hattiesburg, MS
- Enrollment: 581 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. Jackson Preparatory School

- Location: Flowood, MS
- Enrollment: 759 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#1. St. Andrew's Episcopal School

- Location: Ridgeland, MS
- Enrollment: 1,050 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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