Park Place Christian Academy Photo - Park Place Christian Academy, a ministry of Park Place Baptist Church, strives to provide a distinctively Christian, academically rigorous education for students in grades K3-12. PPCA, established in 2000, and with a current enrollment of nearly 650 students, uses Godly guidance and Christian personnel to cultivate a biblical worldview into the hearts and minds of our students.

Best Rankin County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 private schools serving 3,283 students in Rankin County, MS (there are 33 public schools, serving 22,675 public students). 13% of all K-12 students in Rankin County, MS are educated in private schools (compared to the MS state average of 11%).
The top-ranked private schools in Rankin County, MS include College Drive Sda Christian School, East Rankin Academy, and Park Place Christian Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 96%, which is higher than the Mississippi private school average acceptance rate of 88%.
100% of private schools in Rankin County, MS are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).

Top-Ranked Rankin County Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
College Drive Sda Christian School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
120 College St
Pearl, MS 39208
(601) 903-0990
Gr: PK-8 | 18 students
East Rankin Academy
(Christian)
(1)
400 MS-43
Pelahatchie, MS 39145
(601) 854-5691
Gr: PK-12 | 766 students
Jackson Preparatory School
(Christian)
3100 Lakeland Drive
Flowood, MS 39232
(601) 939-8611
Gr: 6-12 | 776 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Park Place Christian Academy
Park Place Christian Academy Photo - Park Place Christian Academy, a ministry of Park Place Baptist Church, strives to provide a distinctively Christian, academically rigorous education for students in grades K3-12. PPCA, established in 2000, and with a current enrollment of nearly 650 students, uses Godly guidance and Christian personnel to cultivate a biblical worldview into the hearts and minds of our students.
(Christian)
(1)
201 Park Place Drive
Pearl, MS 39208
(601) 939-6229
Gr: PK-12 | 644 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Piney Woods School
Alternative School (Christian)
(2)
5096 Highway 49 S
Piney Woods, MS 39148
(769) 232-1909
Gr: 8-12 | 86 students
Brandon First Umc Kindergarten
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
205 Mary Ann Dr
Brandon, MS 39042
(601) 824-0281
Gr: PK-K | 73 students Tuition listed
Crossgates Baptist Kindergarten
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
8 Crosswoods Rd
Brandon, MS 39042
(601) 825-7565
Gr: K | 71 students
Discovery Christian School
(Christian)
(2)
111 Wesley Cir
Florence, MS 39073
(601) 891-0608
Gr: PK-12 | 362 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
Faith Academy
(Christian)
2065 Murray Dr
Pearl, MS 39208
(601) 939-5787
Gr: PK-8 | 108 students
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
6035 Highway 25
Brandon, MS 39047
(601) 992-4752
Gr: PK-2 | 24 students
Hartfield Academy
Hartfield Academy Photo
(Christian)
(2)
1240 Luckney Road
Flowood, MS 39232
(601) 992-5333
Gr: PK-12 Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hartfield Academy East
(Christian)
6073 Highway 25
Brandon, MS 39047
(601) 829-4599
Gr: PK-1 | 355 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 3

Overview

This County (Rankin County)
This State (MS)
# Schools
12 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
3,283 Students
55,122 Students
% Average Students of Color
25%
19%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
360 Teachers
4,485 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
44%
47%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
10 courses
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
24

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$9,815
$10,817
Average Acceptance Rate
96%
88%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.55
0.48
# American Indian Students
47 Students
93 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
n/a
# Asian Students
96 Students
1,695 Students
% Asian Students
3%
3%
# Hispanic Students
37 Students
1,230 Students
% Hispanic Students
1%
2%
# Black Students
152 Students
5,464 Students
% Black Students
4%
9%
# White Students
2,103 Students
41,482 Students
% White Students
59%
70%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
34 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,141 Students
9,394 Students
% of Others Students
32%
16%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
11 sports
9 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Rankin County, MS?
The top-ranked private schools in Rankin County, MS include College Drive Sda Christian School, East Rankin Academy, and Park Place Christian Academy.
How many private schools are located in Rankin County?
12 private schools are located in Rankin County.
How diverse are private schools in Rankin County?
Rankin County private schools are approximately 25% minority students, which is higher than the Mississippi private school average of 19%.
What percentage of students in Rankin County go to private school?
13% of all K-12 students in Rankin County are educated in private schools (compared to the MS state average of 11%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Rankin County?
100% of private schools in Rankin County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).
Which private schools in Rankin County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
Parents should feel comfortable asking how private schools screen employees. Learn which questions matter, what answers to expect, and why transparency about hiring and student safety is a hallmark of a well-managed school.
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
A school's facilities reveal far more than appearance. Learn how building maintenance, emergency preparedness, and campus safety practices can help parents evaluate school leadership, oversight, and long-term commitment to student well-being.
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Before enrolling your child in a private school, learn how to verify that it is legally operating, properly accredited, and authorized to issue recognized diplomas with this practical parent checklist for making a confident school choice.