Smilow Prep

republiccharterschools.org/our-schools/smilow-prep/

Charter School 521 Students

Middle School 5th - 8th

School Overview

Joel E. Smilow Prep, located at 787 E. Northside Drive in Jackson, Mississippi, is a public charter school that serves as part of the RePublic Schools network. The school focuses on providing a rigorous academic environment for students in grades 5 through 8, emphasizing a college-preparatory curriculum. Their educational model is designed to close the achievement gap by combining high expectations with structured support, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the transition to high school and beyond.

A core component of Smilow Prep’s mission is the integration of computer science into the daily curriculum, an unusual and defining feature for middle schools in the region. By teaching students how to code and engage with technology at an early age, the school aims to equip them with 21st-century skills necessary for future career success. The school culture is rooted in a values-based approach, fostering an environment of discipline and academic excellence, while also maintaining a strong emphasis on character development and community involvement within the Jackson area.

521

Total Students

26.0

Full-Time Teachers

20.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

99.8%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Smilow Prep
Demographic	Student Count
White	1
Hispanic	2
Black	515
Two or More	3

Black
515 (98.8%)
Two or More
3 (0.6%)
Hispanic
2 (0.4%)
White
1 (0.2%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Joel E. Smilow Prep
Phone:	(769)524-5330
Website:	http://republiccharterschools.org/our-schools/smilow-prep/
Grade Range:	5th - 8th
Total Students:	521
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	26.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	20.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	520
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 5 107

Grade 6 125

Grade 7 150

Grade 8 139