Uncharted Territory: Public Perceptions of Charter Schools in Mississippi Counties Without Charter Schools

Uncharted Territory examines how Mississippians view public charter schools in communities where they are not currently available. 

The report finds widespread concern about school quality, strong support for public school choice, and low familiarity (but little outright opposition) to charter schools. Together, these findings offer timely context as state leaders debate the future of K-12 public education in Mississippi.

Key Takeaways

A majority of respondents believe only some or no children in their community have access to high-quality public schools. When choosing a school, parents overwhelmingly prioritize academic quality and student safety over factors such as location or extracurricular activities.

Across demographic groups, there is broad agreement that families should have access to more than one public school option. In this survey, nine out of ten respondents believe that having more than one public school option is a good thing. While many respondents report low familiarity with charter schools, few oppose them, and, among those who are familiar, a majority support having a charter school in their community.

These findings suggest that information gaps, rather than resistance, shape public attitudes toward charter schools in many Mississippi communities.

Methodology at a Glance

Mississippi First commissioned a county-level survey of adults living in 30 Mississippi counties with C-, D-, or F-rated school districts and no operating charter schools. The survey was conducted in October–November 2025 by the Survey Research Laboratory at Mississippi State University using telephone interviews and was weighted to reflect county-level demographics. Questions focused on perceptions of school quality, priorities in school choice, familiarity with charter schools, and interest in charter schools if available locally.

Thoughts from our Executive Director – Angela Bass

“This research makes one thing very clear: families across Mississippi want better public school options, even in places where charter schools don’t yet exist. As policymakers consider changes to Mississippi’s school choice laws, this data shows there is untapped demand well beyond current eligibility boundaries. Families are asking for high-quality, accountable public schools—and they deserve policies that respond to that reality.”