Mississippi’s principal residential school is the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus — tuition-free to state residents — alongside French Camp Academy, a subsidized Christian boarding school. Traditional private college-preparatory boarding is very limited in the state, so most families look regionally.
Key facts about Mississippi boarding schools
- MSMS in Columbus is tuition-free for Mississippi residents, including room and board.
- MSMS serves grades 11–12 and admits competitively from across the state.
- French Camp Academy operates on a donation-subsidized model with costs far below private norms.
- Mississippi has essentially no traditional high-cost private boarding schools.
- Most families seeking conventional prep boarding apply in Tennessee, Georgia, or Virginia.
Which are the boarding schools in Mississippi?
| School | City | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science | Columbus | Coed, 11–12 (public) | $0 for MS residents | On the Mississippi University for Women campus |
| French Camp Academy | French Camp | Coed, 7–12 (Christian) | Subsidized; varies by need | Donation-funded; serves students facing hardship |
Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
MSMS is a state-funded residential high school on the Mississippi University for Women campus in Columbus, enrolling academically advanced students for grades 11 and 12 at no tuition, room, or board cost to Mississippi residents. It belongs to the same national network of public residential STEM academies as NCSSM, IMSA, and Alabama’s ASMS.
For a strong in-state STEM student, it is the highest-value residential education available in Mississippi by a wide margin. Full details on this category are in free boarding schools.
Regional options for traditional boarding
Mississippi does not have a private college-preparatory boarding market comparable to neighboring states. Families wanting that model typically apply to Tennessee — McCallie and Baylor in Chattanooga — or Georgia and Virginia, all of which price $15,000–$20,000 below Northeastern schools.
All states: best boarding schools by state.
Mississippi boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Mississippi?
Mississippi's main residential options are the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, a tuition-free public academy, and French Camp Academy in French Camp, a Christian boarding school serving many students on subsidized or need-based terms. Private college-preparatory boarding is very limited.
Is the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science free?
Yes for Mississippi residents. MSMS in Columbus is a state-funded residential high school for academically advanced juniors and seniors, charging no tuition, room, or board to in-state students. Admission is competitive and based on academic record, testing, and recommendations.
What is French Camp Academy?
French Camp Academy is a Christian boarding school in French Camp, Mississippi, serving students in grades 7–12, many from families facing financial or personal hardship. It operates on a subsidized model funded by donations, so costs to families are far below typical private boarding rates.
Where do Mississippi families find traditional boarding schools?
Because in-state private boarding is limited, Mississippi families typically look regionally — Tennessee (McCallie, Baylor), Georgia (Rabun Gap, Darlington), and Virginia offer full college-preparatory boarding at costs below Northeastern equivalents.
Sources
- Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science: tuition-free residential admission.
- NCSSS: public residential academy directory.