Ocean Springs, Mississippi — Relocation Guide

Ocean Springs School District — public district based in Ocean Springs, MS (also serves Gulf Park Estates and a small section of Gautier). Mascot: Greyhounds (royal blue, grey, white).

District office: 2300 Government Street, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. ~5,675 students across 7 schools · student–teacher ratio 15:1 · 93% graduation rate. Ranked #1 performing school district in Mississippi by the Mississippi Department of Education for 2022–23 and 2023–24.

High School (Grades 9–12)
Ocean Springs High School — 6701 Old Spanish Trail. Niche grade A; GreatSchools 10/10; ~1,845 students; average SAT 1190, ACT 25; 23 AP courses. Also home to the Ocean Springs Career and Technical Education Center.

Middle School (Grades 7–8)
Ocean Springs Middle School — 3600 Hanshaw Road. Niche grade A; GreatSchools 9/10; ~975 students; math proficiency 69%, reading 62%.

Upper Elementary (Grades 4–6)
Ocean Springs Upper Elementary — 2320 Government Street. Niche grade A; GreatSchools 9/10; ~1,355 students; math proficiency 60%, reading 65%.

Elementary Schools (Grades K–4)
Magnolia Park Elementary — 3500 Government Street. Niche grade A; GreatSchools 9/10; ~679 students; math 67%, reading 67%.
Oak Park Elementary — 2230 Government Street. Niche grade A; GreatSchools 8/10; ~540 students; math 72%, reading 67%.
Pecan Park Elementary — 504 Hanley Road. Niche grade A; GreatSchools 8/10; ~512 students; math 72%, reading 67%.

(School ratings from public sources as of September 2026 and may change — verify with the district for the latest.)

Downtown: Downtown Ocean Springs — walkable Government Street and Washington Avenue with 200+ independent shops, art galleries, boutiques, and 100+ restaurants. Known statewide for its arts scene. Weekly Ocean Springs Fresh Market.

Beaches, Parks & Outdoors: Front Beach (white-sand beach on the Gulf); East Beach (quieter stretch, popular for sunsets); Fort Maurepas Park (waterfront park with pavilions, splash pad, playground, stage, and walkway to the Chester McPherson fishing pier); Gulf Islands National Seashore — Davis Bayou Area (hiking, biking, birding, ranger-led programs, campground); Ocean Springs Blueways (kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding); Live Oak Bicycle Route.

Museums, Culture & History: Walter Anderson Museum of Art (510 Washington Ave); Shearwater Pottery (102 Shearwater Drive, working studio founded 1928); Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center (1600 Government St); Ocean Springs Museum of History; Charnley-Norwood House (509 E Beach Dr, 1890 design by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright); Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial (3704 Bienville Blvd); G.I. Museum (5796 Ritcher Rd).

Dining & Nightlife: Vestige (modern American); The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint (award-winning BBQ and blues); Bayview Gourmet (brunch); Government Street Grocery; Tato-Nut Donut Shop; Trilby's (Gulf seafood); Crooked Letter Brewing Company (craft brewery); Neon Moon (live music). Biloxi casinos and resorts (~9 minutes west) for concerts, dining, and gaming.

17th Annual Mississippi Songwriters Festival — September 17–20, 2026, venues across Ocean Springs and Gautier. Four days of free live original music from ~200 singer-songwriters.

Cruisin' the Coast — October 4–11, 2026, coast-wide including Ocean Springs. 30th anniversary; 10,000+ classic cars cruising Highway 90.

Jackson County MS Blue Ribbon Fair — October 18–25, 2026, Pascagoula Fairgrounds. Weeklong century-old tradition: midway rides, livestock shows, food booths.

48th Annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival — November 7–8, 2026, downtown Ocean Springs. Mississippi's largest fine arts festival: 400+ artists and up to 150,000 attendees.

Ocean Springs Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Art Market — early December (2026 date not yet published).

Ocean Springs New Year's Eve Celebration & Ball Drop — December 31, downtown, 8 p.m.–midnight.

Mardi Gras season — Ocean Springs parades: Elks Mardi Gras Parade, Krewe Unique Parade & Ball, Carnival Association Night Parade (2027 parade dates TBA — typically late January to mid-February).

1699 Weekend of Discovery — date TBA (typically March): reenactment at Fort Maurepas Park, 5K run/walk, boat regatta, children's pet parade.

Taste of Ocean Springs Food & Wine Festival — date TBA (typically May).

Red, White & Blueberry Festival — date TBA (typically early June).

July Sidewalk Sale — date TBA (typically July).

Artwalk Downtown Ocean Springs — date TBA (typically Labor Day weekend).

Mississippi Songwriters Festival (18th annual) — date TBA (typically mid-September).

Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival (49th annual) — starting November 7, 2027 (confirm closer to the event).

(Festival dates change — confirm with event organizers before making plans.)