The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) is a public, residential, co-educational high school for academically talented juniors and seniors.
While MSMS students may differ in their academic, cultural, and economic backgrounds, they all share an intense motivation to excel academically in order to prepare for successful college experiences, professional careers, and positions of leadership.
Created by legislative enactment on July 1, 1987, MSMS is located on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) in Columbus, Mississippi, and is governed by the State Board of Education. MSMS is unique in that it is a campus within a campus. This is a benefit for MSMS students who are allowed to participate in various college extension opportunities and MUW programs.
The academic program is designed to challenge each student based on individual capabilities, background, and interest. Emphasis is placed on mathematics, science, and technology instruction. Our mission is to enhance the future of Mississippi by providing innovative learning experiences in a residential environment to meet the individual needs of gifted and talented students and by providing quality educational leadership and aggressive outreach programs.
MSMS is a community of people sharing common ideas and goals and students contributing to the betterment of the school to enhance the community spirit. Working together, the students' families and the MSMS community help students reach their highest potential.
The mission of MSMS is to "enhance the future of Mississippi by providing innovative learning experiences in a residential environment to meet individual needs of gifted and talented students and by providing quality educational leadership and aggressive outreach programs."
As the name implies, our emphasis is in the areas of mathematics and science, but we also offer an outstanding, well-balanced curriculum in the humanities and fine and performing arts.
Since MSMS is a public high school, the admissions process is open to all Mississippi tenth-grade, academically-talented students with mathematics, science, and technology interests. Students who apply should have a record of school performance that is above average in most subjects (B or higher) and must demonstrate clear evidence of interest in mathematics and/or science and be noted for intellectual curiosity.