Mississippi board suggests moving math & science school to state university

The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) has unanimously voted to recommend that the Mississippi Legislature consider relocating the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) to Mississippi State University (MSU) starting in the 2026-27 school year. This decision requires legislative action and funding before any changes are implemented.

Established in 1987, MSMS is a residential high school for academically gifted students in grades 11 and 12, currently located on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women (MUW). Since its inception, MSMS has graduated over 3,000 students through its challenging academic programs.

On February 7, both MUW and MSU were invited by the SBE to submit proposals aimed at increasing enrollment opportunities and enhancing educational programming for MSMS students. These universities were chosen due to their existing partnerships with MSMS in dual enrollment and research initiatives.

After reviewing proposals from both institutions along with feedback from stakeholders, the SBE concluded that MSU offers several advantages for MSMS's future growth while recognizing MUW's foundational contributions.

Highlights of MSU's proposal include:

- Enhanced research opportunities: As a leading research institution in Mississippi, MSU plans to offer extensive research facilities particularly beneficial for STEM fields.

- Expanded academic partnerships: By collaborating with the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, MSU aims to provide more diverse course options.

- Industry connections: Opportunities for experiential learning and internships aligned with workforce needs will be facilitated through business and industry partnerships.

- Career-focused programs: Tailored programs in high-demand areas such as health sciences, cyber security, engineering, data science, biotechnology, and digital arts are proposed.

Glen East, SBE chair, expressed gratitude towards MUW stating: “The SBE is grateful to the Mississippi University for Women for its decades of service supporting MSMS. MUW’s partnership with MSMS has established the school’s reputation for excellence and created a strong foundation that has benefited thousands of Mississippi’s brightest students. Our recommendation reflects our assessment of future growth possibilities and academic opportunities for MSMS students; it is not intended to diminish MUW’s contributions to the success of MSMS.”