News Releases
JA Announces Partnership with Coca-Cola Distributor
Jackson Academy is excited to announce the selection of Clark Beverage Group as the new beverage provider for the campus, supplying beverages for both athletics and campus-wide needs. This partnership will see Clark Beverage Group, a fourth-generation family-owned company and a leading distributor of Coca-Cola products, enhancing the beverage offerings at JA for students, staff,…
Read more… JA Announces Partnership with Coca-Cola Distributor
2023-2024 Years of Service Awards
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.
Teachers of the Year Honored
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.
Winner of Distinguished Alumni Award Outlines Nine Decisions for Seniors
“Life is full of decisions. Often, they come fast, and you cannot hesitate or delay. The real power in life comes when you are confident in your decision making before you ever come to the fork in the road,” said John Scarbrough (1992) to the Class of 2024 last Tuesday evening during the Senior Night Banquet at the Country Club of Jackson.
Read more… Winner of Distinguished Alumni Award Outlines Nine Decisions for Seniors
Walker Moves Programs Forward as Athletic Director
Jackson Academy is proud and excited to announce that Brandt Walker was recently named athletic director. Currently in his seventh year at JA, he has served in a variety of coaching and administrative capacities, including overseeing the daily operations of JA’s athletic department. Walker came to JA with 14 years of coaching experience, including a decade of coaching football and track. His talents will provide the necessary leadership to ensure the Athletic Department’s success.
Read more… Walker Moves Programs Forward as Athletic Director
Jackson Academy Announces Class of 2024 Valedictorians
Jackson Academy is pleased to announce that Mallory Brooks of Jackson, daughter of Marie and Josh Brooks, and Gautam Ray of Brandon, son of Anandhi and Paresh Ray, are the Class of 2024 co-valedictorians. With impressive, identical scores from their body of work throughout their high school careers, Mallory and Gautam each received the honor of addressing the senior class at graduation. These students have excelled academically throughout the four years of Upper School and have outstanding community service and campus involvement resumes.
Read more… Jackson Academy Announces Class of 2024 Valedictorians
Head Coaching Positions Announced for 2024-2025
Jackson Academy announced that Coach David Duggan has returned to Jackson Academy to serve as the school’s head football coach. A dedicated and veteran leader on and off the field, Coach Duggan first came to JA in the fall of 2022, armed with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and an impressive college and professional football record.
JA Announces Upper School Leadership for 2024-2025 School Year
Head of School Palmer Kennedy announced last Thursday that Kyle Nichols will be JA’s incoming Head of Upper School. Also announced, an expanded role for Austin Fortenberry as Associate Head of Upper School.
Read more… JA Announces Upper School Leadership for 2024-2025 School Year
Cum Laude Society Inducts New Members
Seventeen Jackson Academy students crossed the Performing Arts Center stage Wednesday to receive the Cum Laude Society pin, indicating superior academic achievement. They joined previous student and faculty Cum Laude inductees of JA’s chapter, one of only four Cum Laude charters granted in Mississippi.
Q&A: Gautam Ray, Coca-Cola Scholarship Winner
Senior Gautam Ray is one of 150 students selected from an initial pool of 103,000+ applicants from across the country for a scholarship that honors superior leadership, service, and academics. The Coca-Cola Scholarship can be applied to undergraduate or graduate school.
Raiders Complete School Record Season with Overall Title
On Wednesday night at Mississippi College, the Raiders defeated MRA for their fifth MAIS Overall Basketball Championship. The Raiders won their last 22 games in a row, finishing the season at 36-1, which is the best record in school history. The team’s lone loss came to 7A Pascagoula in December.
Read more… Raiders Complete School Record Season with Overall Title
STAR Students and Teachers Selected
The Mississippi Economic Council M.B. Swayze Foundation announced this month that Jackson Academy seniors Noah Pressler and Gautam Ray are STAR Students for the 2023-24 school year. The foundation selects STAR Students based on academic excellence, factoring in standardized test scores and scholastic averages.
Boys Basketball Captures 6A State Title
The Raiders capped off a successful weekend in Madison Saturday night with JA’s tenth MAIS State Basketball Championship as they took home the 6A crown with a thrilling 54-53 victory over Jackson Prep. JA had four players make the All-Tournament Team.
National Honor Societies Induct New Members
The National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society recognize students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. Today, JA inducted 24 Middle School students and 38 Upper School students.
JA Supports Local Fire Station as Service Project
As part of its celebration of being a member of this community for 65 years, Jackson Academy will pursue service, events, and creative endeavors throughout 2024. The initial service project to start the anniversary year is a campaign to help local firefighters renovate the station located within the JA neighborhood at Canton Mart Road.
Read more… JA Supports Local Fire Station as Service Project
Athlete Named JA’s 10th Gatorade Player of the Year
For the fifth consecutive year, the Lady Raider volleyball program boasts the top player in the state. Senior Kaylee Lowther was named the 2023-2024 Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year.
Read more… Athlete Named JA’s 10th Gatorade Player of the Year
JA Moves into Second Semester Using New Structure
Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, Jackson Academy added a K2 program and realigned its four academic divisions slightly. Middle School now comprises sixth through eighth grades. The construction of a 8,000 square foot Middle School building provided six new classrooms, allowing for reallocation and renovation of existing space to meet the growing needs of each division. Fifth grade is now part of the Lower School division.
Read more… JA Moves into Second Semester Using New Structure
Three Consecutive Year Wins!
The Clarion-Ledger announced Sunday that Jackson Academy was named Best Private School in its poll in which Mississippians vote for their most admired businesses, organizations, people, and events. In three other categories, voters named JA the Best Place to Work, the Performing Arts Center the Best Live Music/Concert Venue, and the JA Carnival Best Festival/Fair.
JA First MAIS Team to Win Five Straight State Volleyball Championships
JA has been the standard bearer in volleyball for over the past decade, having appeared in every title game since 2012. The Lady Raiders are the only team to have ever won four straight titles and to do it twice – from 2014-2017 and from 2019-2022. Volleyball also has a four year run on the Mississippi Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year.
Read more… JA First MAIS Team to Win Five Straight State Volleyball Championships
Lady Raiders Soccer Brings State Championship Back
Congratulations to the Lady Raider Soccer Team for winning the team’s second title in the last three years. They beat Jackson Prep 2-1 in the MAIS DI State Championship.
Read more… Lady Raiders Soccer Brings State Championship Back
Spirit Teams Bring Home State Championships
Earning four state championship titles, four state runner-up awards, and other notable recognition created excitement for JA Raiders Wednesday at the MAIS Spirit Competition. The event was held at the Mississippi Coliseum.
2024 National Merit Semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Program recognized Jackson Academy seniors Richard “Red” Deaton, Noah Pressler, Gautam Ray, and Titus Taylor as semifinalists on September 13.
JA Mascot and Cheerleaders Receive Accolades
For more than ten years, Jackson Academy seniors have mentored kindergarteners through JA’s signature buddy program, Alpha and Omega. The Class of 2024 met the Class of 2036 at the amphitheater for the first in a series of activities: sock day!
Tennis Captures Eighth Straight Championship
Last week, the Jackson Academy girls tennis team earned the MAIS Championship for the eighth season in a row. The JA boys team received runner-up honors. Way to go, Raiders!
Students Exceed $10k Raised for Heifer International
This year, Jackson Academy’s Lower School raised $10,859.72 and purchased 85 animals ranging from water buffalo to honeybees. This is the Lower School’s sixteenth year to raise money to benefit Heifer International.
Read more… Students Exceed $10k Raised for Heifer International
Alumni Award Recipient Models Dedication to JA
Jackson Academy has awarded this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award to Ashley Edmonson Willson ’87. The award is presented annually to an alumna or alumnus leading a life of purpose and significance through professional achievement, service to the community, or loyalty to JA. Eligible nominees are JA graduates who have been an alumna or alumnus for at least 10 years before being nominated for the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Archery 6A North State Champions
The Archery Team has had an active season this year, recently winning the 6A North State Tournament in Oxford. The win qualifies the JA team to head to the AIMS State Championship on April 20 at the Kirk Fordice Center at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson.
Sarah Love Honored at Retirement Reception
On Wednesday, April 5, many friends and family met in the Performing Arts Center to celebrate the retirement of Head of Lower School Sarah Love. Love’s three children traveled to the event to show their support for the dedication their mother demonstrated through her 21 years at Jackson Academy.
Scholars Inducted into Prestigious Cum Laude Society
Sixteen Jackson Academy students and two faculty members crossed the Performing Arts Center stage Thursday to receive the Cum Laude Society pin, indicating superior academic achievement.
Read more… Scholars Inducted into Prestigious Cum Laude Society
Class of 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Named
Jackson Academy is pleased to announce that Bailey Berry, daughter of Heidi and John Berry of Jackson, is the Class of 2023 valedictorian. Dev Sharma, son of Kamini and Anil Sharma of Jackson, is the Class of 2023 salutatorian.
Read more… Class of 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Named
Three JA Seniors Named Christian Leaders of the Future
In partnership with Belhaven University, Mississippi Christian Living magazine recognizes high school seniors as future Christian leaders. Molly Baldwin, Gracie Drew Pratt, and Olivia Claire Williford will be recognized on March 7 at Belhaven University. Students submitted applications along with a personal statement and essay to qualify for this recognition. Out of the 30 finalists, one male and one female will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice, and two other finalists will receive smaller scholarships from Mississippi Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Ballet Magnificat.
Read more… Three JA Seniors Named Christian Leaders of the Future
Bailey Berry Named Star Student
Jackson Academy longtime Head Girls Basketball Coach Jan Sojourner now has her signature ingrained into the court of the Raider Dome. Saturday night at halftime of the boys basketball game, JA held a court dedication in Sojourner’s honor.
Palmer Kennedy Announces Athletic Appointments
It’s a great time to be a Raider! Over the past few weeks, JA hosted our largest-ever JASI Show Choir Invitational, the Quiz Bowl team won the Mississippi Academic Competition and advances to the National Competition in May and June, both boys and girls Junior Varsity basketball teams won the MAIS 6A state championship, and SOAR students went rock climbing on a trip to Oxford.
Honor Societies Induct Members
The National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society recognize students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. Today, JA inducted 40 Middle School students and 69 Upper School students. Membership in one of the national honor societies indicates that a student excels in all areas of school life. Congratulations to…
Lakin Laurendine Earns Second Gatorade POY Award
For the fourth year in a row, the Jackson Academy Lady Raider volleyball program boasts the top player in the state. Senior Lakin Laurendine was named the 2022-23 Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year this past week.
Marcy McDonald Named Head of Lower School at JA
Jackson Academy Head of School Palmer Kennedy announced Friday that Marcy McDonald of Jackson will lead the Lower School beginning June 1, 2023. McDonald will fill the role currently held by Head of Lower School Sarah Love, who retires at the end of this academic year.
College Board Recognizes Zyon McDowell
The College Board’s National African American Recognition Program has recognized Jackson Academy junior Zyon McDowell for his academic achievements at JA and outstanding performance on the PSAT.
Volleyball Team Voted Best in Mississippi
The Lady Raider Volleyball team was voted the Best Volleyball Team in Mississippi by MaxPreps. Lakin Laurendine was also named the Best Player in the state of Mississippi.
JA’s SOAR Director Named
Associate Head of School for Student Life Jimmy Messer has announced the hiring of Jackson Academy’s director of the SOAR Outdoor Program. This initiative offers experiential out-of-classroom learning opportunities. Dean Arnold will begin his role leading JA’s signature program on September 7.
Choral Music and Showchoir Leaders Introduced
Jackson Academy’s new Director of Choral Music, Garrett Lindsey, began preparations this summer for the show choir and choral music seasons and the academic instruction accompanying them. In his role, he oversees Upper School choral music programs and the Upper School showchoir, Encore.
JA Recognized as a Common Sense School
Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized Jackson Academy as a Common Sense School.
JA’s Parker Bracken Named Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year
The Gatorade Company announced January 13 that Parker Bracken has been named the 2019-20 Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year. Parker is the second Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year to be chosen from Jackson Academy.
Read more… JA’s Parker Bracken Named Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year
JA Names Lance Pogue Head Football Coach
Jackson Academy Head of School Jack Milne announced this morning that Lance Pogue has accepted the call to become the school’s next head football coach, following last week’s announcement by current Head Football Coach Larry Weems to his players that he would not be returning for the 2020-21 school year.
Heisman High School Winners
Azaria McDowell and Steven Chustz have been named Jackson Academy’s School Winners in the Heisman High School Scholarship competition! The Heisman High School Scholarship program recognizes scholar-athletes who perform with excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in their communities.
JA Named Apple Distinguished School Through 2022
“We believe Apple Distinguished Schools are some of the most innovative schools in the world,” begins the Apple Distinguished School website. “They’re centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate our vision of exemplary learning environments.”
Apple has designated Jackson Academy as an Apple Distinguished School for the fourth time, first in 2013, then again in 2015, 2017, and 2019. JA is among a small number of schools in 34 countries to receive the honor.
Twice This Year: JA Named Best Private School
The Clarion-Ledger announced Sunday that Jackson Academy was named Best Private School in its poll in which Mississippians vote for their most admired businesses, organizations, people, and events. In two other categories, voters named Sandra McKay Best Teacher and the JA Carnival Best Festival.
This announcement comes just weeks after the Mississippi Business Journal named JA the Best Private School in its annual poll.
An Ally for JA Students and the Soar Program: CJ Stewart
CJ Stewart knows how to be a leader, a challenger, and an ally of young people. Since his graduation from an independent school in 2007, Stewart says he has experienced a lot of life in a short amount of time.
Read more… An Ally for JA Students and the Soar Program: CJ Stewart
JA’s Reputation Draws Visit by U.S. Department of Education
Jackson Academy welcomed the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan and two staff members to campus Friday.
Read more… JA’s Reputation Draws Visit by U.S. Department of Education
Jackson Academy Voted Best Private School in Mississippi
Jackson Academy was named the Best Private School in the state by the Mississippi Business Journal Thursday, September 12. The award is the result of an annual ranking that provides residents of Mississippi with the opportunity to select the institutions across the state that they most admire.
Read more… Jackson Academy Voted Best Private School in Mississippi
Jackson Academy and Belhaven University Partner in Dual Enrollment
Students at Jackson Academy will now be able to take dual enrollment classes in language arts and math through Belhaven University. JA and Belhaven officials signed an agreement April 29 at the Belhaven campus.
Read more… Jackson Academy and Belhaven University Partner in Dual Enrollment
JA Athletes Sign with Bates College and Gulf Coast CC
Megan Lacey and Peyton Norwood signed to play college sports on Thursday, April 11.
Read more… JA Athletes Sign with Bates College and Gulf Coast CC
MC’s Inaugural Honors College Includes Two JA Students
Mississippi College has selected Avery and Erin Hederman as members of the college’s first Honors College class beginning this fall.
Read more… MC’s Inaugural Honors College Includes Two JA Students
Four Straight Championships for Lady Raiders!
Congratulations to our Lady Raiders for securing the state MAIS AAAA-1 basketball title for the fourth year in a row.
Apple Distinguished School
What is an Apple Distinguished School? This designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments. JA is Mississippi’s first K3-12 school to receive the designation and is part of a small group of schools and colleges worldwide recognized as Apple…
JA Recognized as Apple Distinguished School
Jackson Academy is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2015-2017. The Apple Distinguished School mark is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments. In 2013, JA joined a small group of schools and…