Originally Published: Oct. 28, 2025

Eight schools within the Jackson County School System have been ranked inside the U.S. News and World Report's latest rankings of the best elementary and middle schools in the country. 

East Jackson Elementary School, East Jackson Middle School, Gum Springs Elementary School, Maysville Elementary School, North Jackson Elementary School, South Jackson Elementary School, West Jackson Elementary School and West Jackson Middle School were all ranked this year. 

The U.S. News and World Report rankings, which compiled testing and demographic information as far back as 2021-22 for this year's list, featured 46,998 elementary and 23,328 middle schools. There were a total of 127,538 eligible schools in the running for the rankings. 

Having eight JCSS schools make this year's list is another sign of the continuous improvement taking place within the system. Only three JCSS schools -- East Jackson Elementary, West Jackson Elementary and West Jackson Middle -- made the list a year ago. 

East Jackson High School and Jackson County High School both were named to the U.S. News and World Report's 2025 List of Best High Schools in August.