Upper School News

JA Student Glake Hill Co-Authors Peer-Reviewed Publication

Glake Hill has received two honors experienced by college undergraduate or graduate students more often than by high school seniors. During an internship in Jackson State University’s chemistry department, Glake participated in research under Professor Paresh Ray. His work led to a scientific journal co-authorship and a conference presentation.

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Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy Honored Across Campus

In preparation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students in each of Jackson Academy’s divisions learned from the remarkable Civil Rights leader’s life last Friday, which fell on King’s actual birth date. King’s passion to achieve equality through nonviolent protest significantly furthered the cause of justice for minorities, spearheading much of the work to desegregate American life and culture in the 50s and 60s. Through age-appropriate activities, JA teachers encouraged their students to use the long weekend to contemplate the foundation that King laid and how they will contribute to a world of justice and equality for everyone. In this article, we feature a single project from each academic division.

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Dual Enrollment Courses Give Students Confidence Boost for College

When current JA seniors head off to college next fall, many of them will do so with several hours of college credit already complete. In 2019, Jackson Academy signed a dual enrollment agreement with Belhaven University, allowing JA students who meet Belhaven’s admission requirements to take classes that earn college and high school credit simultaneously. The credits earned through Belhaven transfer to other accredited colleges and universities. 

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2020-2021 Second Quarter Honor Rolls

Academy Honor Roll Twelfth Grade Drew Antici, Thomas Arnold, Simms Baker, Emmy Brown, Mackenzie Coburn, Gracie Coe, Emma Collums, Ava Couey, Ava Crawford, Jenna Daly, Locke Danley, McNeill Dinkins, Coleman Dinkins, Mary Grace Downs, Meredith Fielder, Gus Gordon, Caroline Graven, Phoebe Guinn, Caroline Harrington, Sophie Hays, Avery Hendrick, Michael Hogue, Andrew Holmes, Evie Hudgins, Zoe […]

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Nine JA Musicians Combine Talents with Others at MAIS Band Clinic

The Mississippi Association of Independent Schools held the annual concert band clinic Thursday and Friday in an abbreviated fashion. Jackson Academy musicians were among those who auditioned via recordings to perform with musicians from other independent schools. MAIS limited the clinic to 50 students this year. Students from eight schools earned spots. In a socially distanced setting at Hinds Community College, nine students represented JA, most holding first or second chair positions.

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Making the Day Merry

JA brightens up the season each year with a “Merry JA Christmas Carpool,” this year held Thursday, December 10. Special friends such as Elsa, Ana, and the Grinch, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, delighted students during their morning arrival.

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Alumni Panel Answers Questions About College

College is different from high school, no doubt. Last week members of the class of 2018, 2019, and 2020 joined the current senior class in the Learning Commons to talk about the college experience. The first panel was held on Wednesday and attended by senior girls, who heard from Reese Anderson ‘20, Kennedy Nations ‘20, Azaria McDowell ‘20, Kayla Shepherd ‘20, Lizzy Childress ‘20, Avery Hederman ’19, Olivia Stringer ‘18, Skylar Alexander ‘19, and Erin Hederman, ‘19. The senior boys heard from Brent Butler ‘20, David Robertson ‘18, Miles Johnson ‘20, and Joseph Adams ‘20 the next day during their lunch break.

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Dr. of Adventure to Lead Jackson Academy SOAR Program

When you meet Dr. Thomas Wayne Taylor, he’ll promptly ask you to refer to him by his nickname, “WT.” The simplicity of his moniker belies the depth of expertise and insight he brings to engaging the wonders of the outdoors. Taylor grew up on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama. “I just went running wild,” he […]

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Juniors Work Out Gray Matter at ACT Bootcamp

Last week, Jen Henson led an intense, five-day ACT prep bootcamp for Jackson Academy’s junior class. Monday through Friday, Henson taught proven strategies and tips to improve performance in five pillars of the ACT; English, science, reading, math, and punctuation. With 22 years of experience as a high school English teacher and nearly ten years owning her ACT coaching company Goal Digger, Henson’s work equipped students with a detailed map to increasing their scores and potentially locking in more competitive scholarships.

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Two JA Athletes Sign to Play College Baseball

Jackson Academy hosted a signing Monday at 10 a.m. for two seniors who are continuing their athletic careers in college baseball next year. Parker Ryan signed with Pearl River Community College and Branson Tadlock signed with Jones County Junior College. Parker and Branson were joined at the event by members of their families, coaches, members of the baseball team, and classmates.

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