Bright Minds Good Hearts

BRIGHT MINDS GOOD HEARTS

EVERY KID CAN SOAR

At Jackson Academy, our students achieve beyond what they imagined was possible.

By combining top-level academics and all-around character development, we shape wellrounded people with bright minds and good hearts.

Whether students need more challenge or more academic support—or both—we give them the guidance and resources to reach their greatest potential.

They learn that when you really put your heart into it, you can soar.

REACH YOUR PERSONAL PEAK

Future software engineer +

Volunteer STEM teacher

JEFFREY GAO

This engineeringminded problem-solver plans to someday run his own software development company.

Have to work at it Playing with more consistency in tennis to wear down my opponents

Just for fun Built my own computer in 8th grade

My other interests Raider Network broadcasting Chess Club Tennis team Church volunteer Newspaper staff

ELLEN MORGAN

This ribbon-winning JA equestrian is a national Pony Finals contender.

My high point Placing 40th of 94 in the 2021 USEF Pony Finals

Never thought I’d try Being vice president and representative in student council

Still to do Alpha and Omega, when I get to be a kindergartner’s role model

+ Equestrian team co-captain Future veterinarian

BE SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO

CONNOR GEE ’22

This campus heavy-hitter leads with purpose and character.

My high point

Winning the golf state championship

Just for fun

Planned a Las Vegas-themed prom, the best of all time

Never thought I’d try Co-creating a schoolwide honor code + Student body president Community do-gooder

KEIGON LOWERY

This creative writer and budding percussionist published his first of two books at age 10.

Never thought I’d try

Turning my journal into a book about my mom

Just for fun

Writing a fictional play about second chances

My other interests

Art Band Football Basketball

PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT

+ Budding novelist

Empathetic actress

SYDNEY THAXTON

This writer-actressillustrator has penned 35,000 words (and counting) of her first novel.

Never thought I’d try Composing a Japanese stage adaptation of a play in class

My JA productions

Mary Poppins, Newsies, A Midsummer Night ’s Dream, Mamma Mia, Rumors, Cinderella, and While the Lights Were Out

My other interests

Mississippi Theatre Association’s contest Chapel

Book Club French Club

Growing Good People

Put learning into action

Students explore how and why things work through hands-on, real-world projects in science, technology, engineering, and math— like creating static electricity with a Van de Graaf generator.

Lead a life of purpose

Chapel provides opportunities for students to grow spiritually, while service learning activities help them put their faith into action.

Develop all of your talents

Our caring teachers, coaches, and staff inspire students to reach their greatest potential in and outside the classroom.

Nurture a love of learning

Our youngest students learn through visual, auditory, and tactile experiences—even acting out different characters onstage—to gain a deeper understanding of the world.

Think differently

Using various age-appropriate apps and robots like Dash and Dot, students learn programming, predicting, and problem-solving skills, starting in first grade.

Build trust in others

The SOAR program begins in fifth grade with character development, outdoor adventures, and team-building activities on ropes courses. It grows into outdoor retreats—like Ocoee River rafting and Gulf Shores camping—with student-led devotions and reflections.

Count on built-in role models

JA creates an environment where students across grades interact and always have a role model to follow. Through programs like Alpha and Omega, students learn to lead lives of purpose.

Be part of our family

Our welcoming community fosters partnerships with families, helps all students thrive, and makes life convenient for your family. One campus K3 to 12th grade means a single drop-off for your whole family—with only a 10-minute carpool line.

Run with the big dogs

Through JA’s Raider Network, students gain professionallevel broadcasting experience. They learn the ins and outs of production—lights, camera, audio, editing—using our 36-foot production truck and live streaming programming for athletics, performing arts, and other events.

Do your thing or many things

JA produces wellrounded students with balanced lives. Our faculty, coaches, and staff work with students to develop all of their talents with balance. We know when to encourage our students to take on new opportunities and when to pull back.

ACTIVITIES

Extracurriculars 20+ extracurriculars allow students to take the spotlight on the stage, in the field, and in clubs from Ducks Unlimited to Pre-Med Society.

23 competitive sports

Boys Archery Baseball Basketball

Cross country Football

Golf Soccer

Swimming Tennis Track

Girls Archery Basketball

Cheerleading

Cross country Dance team

Fastpitch softball

Equestrian Golf Soccer

Swimming Tennis Track

Volleyball

SCHOOL LEVELS

Preschool

Our nurturing teachers give our youngest students an excellent jump-start in reading, writing, listening, and speaking—all in an environment where children feel cared for and safe. Students will:

• Cultivate creativity, communication, collaboration, and social-emotional skills in small groups.

• Explore science and technology with handson projects.

• Gain proficiency in reading through phonics-based reading instruction.

• Accelerate math skills using the Singapore Math® Curriculum.

• Explore humanities through music, art, Spanish, and studying other cultures.

• Start every morning with a Bible story and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lower School

Our curriculum builds on our strong reading core and immerses your child in exploration with math manipulatives, STEM lab, digital presentations, and field trips. Students will:

• Develop study habits and critical thinking skills through new subjects and concepts.

• Strengthen reading and writing through Accelerated Reader program and writing portfolios.

• Explore Spanish language and culture.

• Get creative in music and art weekly.

• Gain athletic skills and healthy habits in physical education.

• Begin each day with an uplifting message from the dean, followed by classroom devotions, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Middle School

Students take departmental courses, allowing for more in-depth subject matter and exposure to a greater diversity of teachers. Students will:

• Develop a strong core in STEM and robotics, algebra, English and literature, history, geography, civics, and foreign languages.

• Choose electives, including physical education and sports, music, art, drama, film, show choir, robotics, and Latin.

• Put faith into action through Chapel and service learning projects.

Upper School

Students become natural school leaders and role models for our younger students as they explore deeper and more complex subjects. Students will:

• Choose from honors, college dual enrollment courses, 10 AP courses, and electives in art, music, theatre, religion/spirituality, communications, financial management, multimedia, and more.

• Take an optional Intro to Engineering course through Mississippi State University.

• Lead the JA community through student government, service opportunities, Alpha and Omega, sports buddies, and other mentorship programs.

• Strengthen their college applications through ACT testing and college admissions counseling.

• Develop their spiritual lives through Chapel.

MORE STRENGTHS

Apple 1:1 for high-tech learning

Every student from kindergarten through twelfth grade has an iPad. The high school Student Tech Team troubleshoots campus computer issues like a Genius Bar.

Academic Resource Center

This 1st-12th grade learning program coaches students of all levels to success through daily intervention in all core subjects, including reading, spelling, math, speech, and language.

Professional-quality arts

Our Performing Arts Center features an 800-seat performance hall, a black box theater, a choral room, classrooms, a workshop, and exhibit areas for student artwork. It stages 20+ productions and programs each year. Students in show choir, concert band, marching band, theatre, visual arts, film, and interactive media explore their creative sides here.

Top-level athletic facilities

State-of-the-art artificial turf football field, gymnasium, weight room, baseball and softball fields, practice field, track and soccer field, and six tennis courts.

A+ in life skills

Students learn everyday life skills like changing a tire, writing thank you notes, tying a half Windsor knot, acing scholarship interviews, lighting a charcoal fire.

WHERE JA GRADS GO

Research I private universities

Baylor University

Boston University

Brown University

Colorado State University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Duke University

Emory University

Georgetown University

Harvard University

Johns Hopkins University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

New York University

Northwestern University

Princeton University

Rice University

Stanford University

Texas Christian University

Tulane University

University of Notre Dame

University of Pennsylvania

University of Southern California

Vanderbilt University

Research I state universities

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Clemson University

Florida State University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Jackson State University

Louisiana State University

Mississippi State University

Texas A&M University

University of Alabama

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of California, Berkeley

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Kentucky

University of Michigan

University of Mississippi

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

University of South Carolina

University of Southern Mississippi

University of Virginia

Liberal arts colleges

Belhaven University

Elon University

Furman University

Hampden-Sydney College

Hendrix College

Loyola University

Millsaps College

Mississippi College

Spelman College

Tougaloo College

University of the South

Vassar College

Washington and Lee University

William and Mary

Specialized colleges

Fashion Institute of Technology

Savannah College of Art & Design

U.S. Air Force Academy

U.S. Military Academy

U.S. Naval Academy

See the complete list of college acceptances: jacksonacademy.org/colleges

Best private school

Best teacher

Best place to work

Best festival/event

Best live performance venue

Best TV/radio personality

(Clarion Ledger Community Choice Awards 2021)