Jackson Academy’s first-grade students experienced the SOAR program for the first time last week, participating in a “boot camp” designed to teach teamwork and faith principles. Complementing armed forces classroom lessons, the activities emphasized the “Armor of God,” fostering physical and spiritual growth.

The SOAR program, known for its character-building initiatives, traditionally served older students. Started as a seventh grade rafting trip, SOAR now includes various activities for grades five through twelve, promoting faith, service, and leadership. The first graders’ boot camp marks an exciting beginning for several more years of SOAR adventures.

Led by Dean Arnold, the SOAR director, the boot camp offered interactive challenges each morning from Monday through Thursday at the Brickyard and basketball gym. This approach reinforced classroom lessons and provided a memorable introduction to SOAR, laying the foundation for future participation in JA’s outdoor learning experiences.

The post First Graders SOAR Through Boot Camp appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Jackson Academy has a tradition of honoring the dedication and loyalty of its employees by acknowledging their years of service. Recognizing milestones in increments of five years, employees are given the chance to designate a contribution from JA to a cause meaningful to them in support of the school. Those who have served for 25 years or more are honored with a plaque and special recognition.

The post 2023-2024 Years of Service Awards appeared first on Jackson Academy.

In a special two-part event, Jackson Academy’s sixth graders teamed up with their first-grade buddies in the beloved “Book Buddies” program. After interviewing with the first graders earlier in the year, sixth graders worked hard to make personalized books, pouring their creativity into every word and picture. This collaborative effort not only honed their literary skills but also fostered lasting friendships across grade levels, echoing JA’s commitment to phonics-based learning – a tradition upheld since its founding in 1959.

Last Wednesday, at the PAC amphitheater, it all came together as sixth graders happily met up with their first-grade friends. They shared the books they made—filled with stories inspired by their younger buddies’ imaginations. The event showed how Jackson Academy brings students together to enjoy reading and friendship, no matter what grade they’re in.

The post Book Buddies appeared first on Jackson Academy.

One of the most impactful JA senior ceremonies is JA’s Senior Chapel, which was held today. Seniors don caps and gowns and process into the Performing Arts Center holding hands with their Alpha & Omega buddies. 

The Alpha & Omega program pairs kindergarteners with seniors for mentoring and learning activities during the entire year, fostering lasting friendships. During chapel, kindergartners sang “Graduation (Friends Forever)” to the senior class. JA alumnus John Sharp Kirk ’15 delivered the chapel message. 

The Class of 2023 enjoyed a highly-anticipated senior week in April. On April 23, students received honors at Senior Awards Night on campus, followed by a dinner at the Country Club of Jackson. At the dinner, JA’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year award recipient John Scarbrough ’92 spoke to seniors about being wise decision makers.

Jackson Academy’s 98 seniors will participate in commencement ceremonies May 16 at the school’s outdoor stadium, The Brickyard. Ceremonies start at 7:30 p.m. Valedictorian Mallory Brooks and salutatorian Gautam Ray will address the senior class.

The post Senior Chapel Brings 98 One Step Closer to Graduation appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Jackson Academy acknowledges and honors its Teachers of the Year every spring. The recognition is particularly noteworthy this year as it falls during National Teacher Appreciation Week. During the final chapel program on Tuesday, administrators called four teachers to the PAC stage where they formally expressed gratitude for the teachers’ dedicated service to the school. Faculty members vote for Teachers of the Year from among their peers by division.

Congratulations to the 2024 Teachers of the Year:

Upper School

Dee Ball
AP US Government
and AP History Teacher
35 Years of Service

Lower School

Jamie Wright
Second Grade Teacher
22 Years of Service

Middle School

Sarah Clark
Eighth Grade
History Teacher
11 Years of Service

Preschool

Courtney Bush
K4 Teacher 
8 Years of Service

The post Teachers of the Year Honored appeared first on Jackson Academy.

JA fifth grade spent Friday morning at “STEM in the Gym!” With the help of parents and faculty members, six hands-on stations were set up in the Lower School gym for the energetic fifth graders to rotate through. The six stations were the Marble Run Design, Coding with Dash, Rocket Launch, Imagination Playground, Barefoot Frogger, and the Rigamajig. Each station included elements of science, technology, engineering, and math, which students learned about all year through the Lower School STEM program.

The Lower School STEM program is a key component of the JA curriculum. Grades K5 through fifth grade participate in the STEM program, with each grade focusing on specific topics and projects. Using hands-on, real-world applications, JA students see how and why things work in science, technology, engineering, and math.

“STEM in the Gym” is a culmination of the fifth grade’s participation in the Lower School STEM program. The beloved program is one that Preschool students look forward to and Middle School students fondly remember. With science and technology at the forefront of today, these students are fully prepared to tackle life, Lower School, and beyond.

The post STEM in the Gym appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Today, students in K4 took the lead in reminding our Preschool and Lower School students and faculty about the significance of books. On World Book Day, these young Raiders selected a book to read and brought it to life through their creative costumes. They paraded their literary creations across the Lower School playground, captivating the attention of students and faculty from seven other grades.

At JA, the promotion of reading has been a cornerstone of our students’ education since our establishment in 1959. Initially founded as a primary school to teach reading through phonics, JA has always strived to instill a passion for reading. The founding headmaster, Loyal Bearss, a phonics teacher and researcher, firmly believed that a student who could read well would excel in all subjects. This belief has shaped JA’s curriculum, which includes classroom instruction, robust libraries, technological learning centers, accelerated reading, an annual Book Fair, and guest author signings, all of which continue to underscore the importance of reading at JA.

Wishing everyone a joyous World Book Day! Let’s celebrate the power of books and the joy of reading together as a community.

The post K4 Brings Stories Alive for World Book Day appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Lower School students participated in Field Day on Friday. Each year, Lower School students look forward to Field Day. This long-time JA tradition incorporates teamwork, competition, and hard work into exciting races that challenge strength, speed, balance, mind, and endurance. It is a fan-favorite event that students, teachers, and parents await each year.

To prepare for Field Day, the Lower School students practiced the different races during their P.E. classes. Some of the favorite races included a three-legged race, the balloon pop, and a tug of war for the fourth and fifth graders. Middle and Upper School students stopped by the Brickyard in between classes to cheer for the Lower School Raiders while Preschool students watched from the sidelines, anticipating their turn in years to come. K2 students even made an appearance to cheer on the Lower School. 

Lower School Field Day displays a great atmosphere of camaraderie, filled with support and smiles. The exciting tradition marks the soon-approaching end of the school year as students and teachers anticipate the summer ahead.

The post Lower School Field Day appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Self-control is one of the characteristics described in the Bible as a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Lower School STEM teacher Cliff Powers presented a chapel service on self-control when students departed for spring break. Fruit of the Spirit is the Lower School chapel theme for the year.

In an interactive presentation, Powers used the concept of castle walls to illustrate the need for self-control. Two groups of students were called to the stage to construct a wall using either plastic cups or cardboard boxes. Afterwards, another student was chosen to throw ping-pong balls to determine which wall was the stronger of the two. He referenced Proverbs 25:28, which says, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”

Powers asked students, “Who would want to knock our city walls down?” Students responded, “The devil” and “Satan.” Powers guided students through a study that made them aware that their city was constantly under attack. Not practicing self-control makes people vulnerable to situations that would knock them down. Their relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides protection. Their self-control guards against temptations. 

Powers also described how self-control needs to be practiced by children and by adults. Children have parents, grandparents, and teachers giving guidance and telling them what to do. Adults do not have someone telling them what to do, and it becomes more challenging, Powers says.

“Who is the ruler of your city? You or God?” Powers asked. Students answered: “God.” 

“Well, we say that,” Powers said, “but if we are honest with ourselves, we really want to rule our own city.” But no one can “serve two masters.” Matthew 6:24. As people grow from childhood to adulthood, they can practice self-control and allow God to have authority over their city.

If children and adults keep those walls strong through self-control, it helps us successfully manage areas such as:

• Anger
• Attitude
• Greed…me me me
• Disrespect 
• Emotions
• Behavior 
• Eating
• Spending 
• Desires—things that look good to the eye
• Words
• Honesty 

“What a wonderful world this would be if everyone practiced self-control!” Powers said. 

The post Students Contemplate Fruit of the Spirit appeared first on Jackson Academy.

On Friday, first-grade grandparents traveled from near and far to be with their grandchildren for a special day at Jackson Academy. Grandparents experienced what a day in the life of a first grader is like.

JA first graders benefit from P.E. every day of the week at JA. Grandparents learned that P.E. is now more than calisthenics. Brain research has enhanced physical education. After watching students demonstrate body-brain warm-ups, grandparents joined grandchildren on the court for a bucket toss game. During bucket toss, adventurous grandparents practiced skipping, underhand toss, counting, following verbal directions, and taking turns–skills the six-year-olds practice regularly. 

Movement complements learning at JA, yet the school’s academic focus remains primary. Grandparents were astonished as their first graders responded in Spanish to everything their language teacher asked them. Library time was spent allowing grandparents to take part in Morning Meeting led by the teachers, which is how the day begins in first grade. It is a time of devotion and prayer, and sharing and community. Then, students read a selected story from their first grade reader. Lower School Librarian Lynn Watson selected books that first graders could enjoy with their special guests. In music class, guests practiced learning to count and follow rhythm patterns as their grandchildren do. Grandparents were amazed by a coding demonstration in STEM class.

Grandparents Day showed family members how much school has changed while assuring them that excellence in learning is still at the heart of the school experience at JA. 

The post First Grade Grandparents See How School Has Changed appeared first on Jackson Academy.