Mississippi University for Women’s president is speaking out following a recommendation by state education officials to relocate the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science.
Back in late March, after reviewing proposals from the Mississippi University for Women (MUW), where the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) currently resides, and Mississippi State University (MSU) over the expansion of the educational center for gifted students, the State Board of Education encouraged lawmakers to consider moving the magnet school to Starkville.
The endorsement came as education officials contended that MSU’s submission presented a higher ceiling for future growth possibilities and academic opportunities for MSMS students. Nora Miller, MUW’s president, is appealing to lawmakers to consider how the Columbus-based university has successfully accommodated academically adept high school juniors and seniors since 1987 when weighing the pros and cons of possible relocation.
“We are hoping that the legislature will take a look at the founding mission and purpose of MSMS and how keeping it as a separate high school for those gifted students where they can be challenged and nurtured and eased into a residential experience,” Miller said on MidDays with Gerard Gibert. “[The students] like the small environment where they are nurtured, valued, and safe.”
Not only is Miller advocating to keep MSMS in its current post, but the students are also reported to be in favor of staying put. MUW conducted a recent survey and found that 96% of the magnet school’s pupils voted that they would rather remain in Columbus than make the move just under 30 miles to the east.
MSU, in collaboration with the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, is eyeing MSMS as part of the next phase of expansion. The university currently hosts Partnership Middle School, the nation’s only school that serves all district students in partnership with a college or university. The next step is to move up to the high school ranks.
In addition to the construction of a new campus for Starkville High School, MSU has proposed a residential magnet school focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics — which would be the new MSMS location. The venue would be located on the corner of George Perry Drive and Highway 182.
MSU has committed $86 million to the construction of the facilities, including dorm spaces for MSMS students. University officials are also asking the state legislature to chip in a near-matching $85 million for the project. The goal is to have everything up and running at the start of the 2027-28 school year if given the green light by lawmakers.
Miller argues that MUW’s proposal is not only more cost-efficient for the taxpayers but also more in tune with the purpose of MSMS: to meet the individual needs of academically gifted students in a residential environment.
“We believe that our proposal is more economical for the state’s taxpayers and also preserves [the school’s] original mission,” Miller added. “We are hoping that the legislature will take a hard look at that and consider the current MSMS students.”
MUW, in its efforts to retain the magnet school, is seeking financial aid from the state to update residential areas. Last year, the two dorms housing MSMS students underwent major bathroom renovations. One building has had an interior paint job done, and the other is expected to be painted this summer.
As part of MUW’s master plan, which has included feedback from MSMS, two spaces have been identified for new facilities. Per officials, one or both could be residential. Two vacant residential facilities could each undergo an estimated $22 million facelift to shelter MSMS pupils.
Last year, MSMS produced 15 national merit scholars. Miller is confident that the success will continue in Columbus if the state is willing to continue, or even further, its investment into the school. According to MUW’s proposal to remain the host site for the magnet school, MSMS’s funding is $16,000 less per student than the average funding of programs in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama.
At this time, lawmakers have not publicly weighed in on the potential of moving forward with a plan to move MSMS. The regular legislative session ended last week, but lawmakers will have to convene at the capitol in the near future to finalize a budget. However, MSMS’s future is not anticipated to be discussed in the special session.
Any changes to the school’s location would go into effect starting in the 2026-27 school year.
