South Side High School in Jackson, Tennessee is a public high school, part of the Jackson-Madison County School System school system. It was created in 1956 by the consolidation of Pinson High School, Malesus High School, J.B. Young High School and Mercer High School.
Serving 756 students in grades 9-12, South Side High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Tennessee for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 12% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 19% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 37%).
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 43% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 756 students
- Minority Enrollment: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 80-84% (Btm 50% in TN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 12% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 22% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
South Side High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Student Attention
School Overview
South Side High School's student population of 756 students has declined by 19% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
756 students
Total Classroom Teachers (23-24)
67 teachers
Year Founded
1956
Colors
White, Black
School Calendar
School Rankings
South Side High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,728 schools in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Side High School is 0.65, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1487 out of 1728 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
19%
37%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
40%
Student-Teacher Ratio
n/a
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
10%
16%
Black
40%
20%
White
43%
57%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-84%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
58%
45%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Side High School's ranking?
South Side High School is ranked #1487 out of 1,728 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Tennessee.
What schools are South Side High School often compared to?
South Side High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like North Side High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
12% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% TN state average), while 19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 37% TN state average).
What is the graduation rate of South Side High School?
The graduation rate of South Side High School is 80-84%, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 90%.
How many students attend South Side High School?
756 students attend South Side High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
43% of South Side High School students are White, 40% of students are Black, 10% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What grades does South Side High School offer ?
South Side High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is South Side High School part of?
South Side High School is part of Madison County School District.
School Reviews
Review South Side High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
