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High School Students

Earn a high school diploma

Course Work

To be prepared for college, it is recommended that you take challenging courses, including higher level math and science. For more information, check out how to earn a high school diploma with an academic endorsement.

ACT Info

The best way to prepare for the ACT is by taking challenging courses in high school. ACT offers ACT Academy™ which is a free online tool and test prep program designed to help you get the best score possible on the ACT test. Get2College also offers free ACT prep workshops.

Teacher Academy

The Teacher Academy program is a high school course designed to attract students to the field of education, to provide information and field experiences relevant to pursuing a degree in education, and to prepare students for the rigors of a career in education so they will remain long-term educators. The Teacher Academy pathway includes classroom and hands-on experiences that will prepare students for employment or continuing education in the education field.

Educators Rising

Educators Rising is a student organization dedicated to supporting young people interested in education-related careers.  They are a national network of more than 21,000 student and teacher leader participants in grow-your-own-teacher programs in high schools across the nation. Educators Rising affiliates provide additional support and programming for members within their state or region. They are committed to providing affiliates with resources and information to be effective partners and work hand-in-hand with affiliate coordinators to bring quality opportunities to rising educators. Visit the Mississippi affiliate page.

Earn a four-year education degree

A variety of assistance programs are available. Keep in mind that you may qualify for assistance from both state and federal programs.

TEACH Grant

A TEACH Grant can help you pay for college if you plan to become a teacher in a high-need field in a low-income area. You’ll be required to teach for a certain length of time, so make sure you understand your obligation. Contact the financial aid office at the school where you will be enrolled to find out whether the school participates in the TEACH Grant Program and to learn about the programs of study at the school that are TEACH-Grant-eligible.

The Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program (METP)

The Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program (METP) is a collaboration between the Ole Miss and Mississippi State to attract top-performing students to an innovative new teacher education program using one of the most valuable scholarships ever offered in the state.

Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)

Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP) was created by the Mississippi Legislature, designed to provide tuition assistance to qualified students whose financial need, as demonstrated by federal student aid eligibility, will not be met with gift aid from other sources. The program provides full tuition to qualified students for up to four years.

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) was created by the Mississippi Legislature, designed to provide financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and private not-for-profit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities. The primary objective of MTAG is to provide educational opportunities for students who wish to pursue postsecondary education in the state and do not already benefit from federal need-based aid.

Successfully complete exam.

Educators must pass a test to prove they are ready for the classroom. The Praxis® tests help Mississippi educators demonstrate their knowledge of content and instructional skills for the classroom.

students in a classroom

Apply for a license.

The Mississippi Department of Education issues licenses to teachers in the final step to show they have met all requirements.

Become a teacher.

students in a classroom

Elementary Teachers

Elementary teachers typically educate students PreK – grade 5 in general subjects of reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Elementary teachers are expected to be very hands-on, creating fun and enthusiastic atmospheres within their classrooms and adapting to meet the needs of their students.

students in a classroom

Middle and High School Teachers

Middle and high school teachers typically educate students in grades 6-12 in particular subject areas, such as history, English, science or mathematics. High school teachers also offer general, technical or college-preparatory courses.

students in classroom

Career and Technical Education Teachers

Career and technical education teachers help students in middle and high school attain job skills and discover career options through the application of hands-on learning, such as health science, computer science, agriculture and construction.

student and teacher in the classroom

Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers instruct students who have mental, emotional or physical disabilities that may impede learning. They design the general education curriculum to meet the unique needs of the students and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.