The Rankin County School District is the 3rd largest public school district in Mississippi. The district office is located in Brandon, Mississippi (USA). In addition to Brandon, the district serves most of Rankin County, including the communities of Florence, Flowood, Pelahatchie, Puckett, Richland, and Sandhill. History The Rankin County School District is one of the top three sizeable public school districts in Mississippi. There are 28 schools, over 18,000 students in the district, and the district serves over seven different cities. RCSD is known for their recreational and outdoor activities. In 2013, RCSD was the defendant in a federal lawsuit regarding religion in public schools after Northwest Rankin High School subjected students to mandatory Christian assemblies. The case settled, but in 2014 the RCSD violated the settlement by inviting a Methodist preacher to lead a prayer during a District wide awards ceremony. Judge Carlton Reeves of Mississippi's Southern District ruled in favor of the Plaintiff in 2015. In 2014 board president Cecil McCrory, a former member of the Mississippi Legislature, resigned from his position prior to a federal indictment for corruption activities, involving private prison contracts with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. McCrory and Epps pleaded guilty to federal charges in February of the following year. Schools Brandon Zone Brandon High School (Grades 9-12) Brandon Middle School (Grades 6-8) Brandon Elementary School (Grades 4-5) Stonebridge Elementary School (Grades 2-3) Rouse Elementary School (Grades K-1) Learning Center Florence Zone Florence High School (Grades 9-12) Florence Middle School (Grades 6-8) Florence Elementary School (Grades 3-5) Steen's Creek Elementary School (Grades K-2) McLaurin Zone McLaurin High School (Grades 7-12) McLaurin Elementary School (Grades PK-6) Northwest Zone Northwest Rankin High School (Grades 9-12) Northwest Rankin Middle School (Grades 6-8) Northwest Rankin Elementary School (Grades K-5) Flowood Elementary School (Grades K-5) Northshore Elementary School (Grades K-5) Oakdale Elementary School (Grades K-5) Highland Bluff Elementary School (Grades K-5) Pelahatchie Zone Pelahatchie High School (Grades 7-12) Pelahatichie Elementary School (Grades K-6) Pisgah Zone Pisgah High School (Grades 7-12) Pisgah Elementary School (Grades K-6) Puckett Zone Puckett Attendance Center (Grades K-12) Richland Zone Richland High School (Grades 7-12) Richland Upper Elementary School (Grades 3-6) Richland Elementary School (Grades K-2) Alternative School Rankin County Learning Center Demographics In 2017 22% of the students were black. That year, under Mississippi school accountability rankings, the district received an "A". 2006-07 school year There were a total of 17,398 students enrolled in