Joel E. Smilow Prep

Located at 787 E. Northside Drive in Jackson, Mississippi, Joel E. Smilow Prep operates as an active, independent charter school district dedicated to guiding students through their critical upper elementary and middle school years. Set within a vibrant midsize city landscape in the Jackson metropolitan region, the district functions as a single-campus local educational agency administering federal and state academic programs. Serving children exclusively in fifth through eighth grade, the campus provides a tailored, supportive learning environment designed to help young adolescents transition successfully from foundational elementary studies toward high school readiness.

The district supports a student body of 521 learners, maintaining a balanced class distribution across its grade levels with 107 fifth graders, 125 sixth graders, 150 seventh graders, and 139 eighth graders. To ensure academic rigor and personal mentorship, Joel E. Smilow Prep maintains a robust professional team comprising 82 total full-time equivalent staff members, which includes 52 full-time educators and 30 dedicated support personnel. This generous staffing model yields an advantageous student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 10 to 1, allowing for individualized instruction and close guidance. For parents, prospective students, and education researchers alike, the district represents a highly focused urban charter model committed to academic growth, strong student-staff connections, and community empowerment.