The Mississippi Board of Education has proposed relocating the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) to Mississippi State University (MSU).
The proposal follows an evaluation by a subcommittee of the Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) focused on MSMS, the state’s only public residential high school for academically gifted 11th- and 12th-grade students. MSMS has been housed at Mississippi University for Women (MUW) since its founding in 1987.
The subcommittee rated each proposal on a 400-point scale, with MSU receiving 363 points and MUW receiving 304. Supporters of the move cite improved facilities, stronger financial backing, and long-term growth opportunities. Opponents have raised concerns about the school's historical ties to MUW, the economic impact of relocating, and potential funding challenges.
“The majority of us want to stay here,” MSMS senior Max Thompson said. “There’s a lot that definitely needs some improvement here, but I think that could be fixed by simply keeping us here and giving us more money here instead of spending more money to build entirely new facilities.”
Thompson said he is concerned about the school’s historical roots and believes MSMS students already benefit from MSU’s resources due to its proximity.
“They're talking about moving MSMS like it's just some foreign concept, but keep in mind, we are MSMS…most of us are saying don't do it, and they might do it regardless,” Thompson said. “They’re not listening.”
The SBE has invited students to submit comments on the proposed move via email or mail. If approved by the Mississippi Legislature, the relocation would take effect in the 2026-27 school year.
“At MSMS, we are able to achieve our unique learning environment because our students have chosen to separate themselves from regular public high schools in order to focus on their academic achievement…Merging MSMS with another public high school would take away the important aspects of our unique mission,” MSMS world language teacher Lori Pierce wrote in a Facebook post.
Pierce, who has taught at MSMS for 15 years, wrote that the proposal has created stress among students and faculty. She said some students are considering protests, and some faculty members are updating their résumés or looking into retirement.
She also wrote that while MSMS needs facility improvements, the proposed move would be significantly more expensive than remaining at MUW. Pierce suggested the SBE’s support for MSU’s proposal may be part of a broader effort to close MUW.
“What has not been happening in this process is anyone putting the needs of MSMS at the forefront of this decision,” Pierce wrote.
