The future of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is again in question as state officials consider moving it from its current location on the Mississippi University for Women campus to Mississippi State University. MSMS is the state’s only public residential high school for academically gifted students.
The Mississippi Department of Education invited both MUW and MSU to submit proposals to expand MSMS. Both schools submitted proposals by the Feb. 25 deadline.
The RFP specifically stated that the expansion should include modern dorms, a specific residential area with dedicated security, and access to a wellness center with possible designated times and supervision for high school students. It also noted that MSMS should continue to operate with autonomy as a state public school under MDE supervision.
Leave It and Support It
The Mississippi Legislature established the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in 1987. The residential school for gifted 11th and 12th-grade students has shared campus space with Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Miss., since its creation, as specified by state law. The law also required the school to be governed by the Mississippi Board of Education.
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Discussions about moving MSMS began during last year’s legislative session after some lawmakers argued that the current facilities need updates. However, MUW President Nora Miller said the request-for-proposals came as a surprise.
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The historic Mary Wilson Home on the Mississippi University for Women campus in Columbus, Miss., houses the executive director’s office for the Mississippi School for Math and Science. MSMS is Mississippi’s only public residential high school for academically gifted students. Photo courtesy Mississippi University for Women ” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?fit=780%2C519&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=780%2C519&ssl=1″ alt=”A sign outside of a two story red brick building that reads Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science” class=”wp-image-331732″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSMS_courtesy-Mississippi-University-for-Women-1024×682.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>The historic Mary Wilson Home on the Mississippi University for Women campus
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