The future location of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) is up for discussion once more.
On Wednesday, the Mississippi State Board of Education reported that it is seeking stakeholder feedback regarding proposals from Mississippi State University (MSU) to acquire the public residential high school and the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) to retain MSMS.
MSMS was established during the 1987 legislative session for academically gifted high school juniors and seniors. It has been housed at MUW in Columbus since its inception. However, MSMS officials have contemplated the prospect of relocating to Starkville in the past.
In December, the State Board of Education launched an MSMS subcommittee to explore ways to strengthen the school’s operations and ensure the continued growth of the academic institution. MSU and MUW were later asked to submit proposals that would increase enrollment and educational opportunities for MSMS students.
Both institutions of higher learning have since sent their pitches to host the school.
MSU, in collaboration with the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, is eyeing MSMS to be part of the next phase of expansion. The university currently hosts Partnership Middle School — the nation’s only school in the country 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 venues 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.
“This proposed partnership will inspire secondary and undergraduate students to career fields that are in