Investing in Our Mission

In the Spring and Fall of 2020, we embarked on a feasibility study in conjunction with the J.F. Smith Group to gauge opinions regarding the strategic direction of the school.  Opinions regarding the quality of our academics, faculty, facilities, public perception and communication were all recorded.  Moreover, we tested six school-prioritized capital projects.  During this process, our constituency base indicated that renovations and facility upgrades based on current and future space utilization and program usage within each division including a series of state-of-the-art science labs for current and expanding curriculum across campus for all ages was most important.  As prioritized in the feasibility study, a future phase would add a new multipurpose student life component to our current competition gym that would provide additional space to enhance our current and future academic, athletic, and co-curricular programming.  

As a result of these findings, the board of trustees has initiated the Investing in Our Mission: A Capital Campaign for Jackson Academy.  With a campaign goal of $4,450,000, and a vision goal of $6,450,000, the campaign will enable JA to advance the school’s programming and facilities in ways that reflect the dynamic needs of education for current and future generations.  This initiative would not be possible without the gifts of individual and company donations.

The two-phase plan forecasts new construction, facility upgrades, and renovations.  Feedback from the JA community guided the school’s prioritization of each phase.

We hope you will consider joining us in the important capital campaign. If you would like to learn more about how you and your family can be involved, please contact Jim Wilkirson at jwilkirson@jacksonacademy.org or (601) 506-9493.

FIRST PHASE, CAMPAIGN GOAL – $4,450,000

Projects planned in the first phase include:

• New Upper School science and lab facilities and renovation of existing labs, allowing for expanded programming and enrollment.
• Two-story addition to the front of the current Upper School building
• This new construction will allow the current Upper School science and lab wing to be remodeled and upgraded for use by the seventh and eighth grades.

We have also set a VISION GOAL of  $6,450,000.

If the vision goal of $6.45M is reached.  Projects planned in the second phase include:

• Complete lab renovations throughout campus, create classroom space, and centralize divisional offices, counseling, and testing spaces.
• An additional new structure will be added to complement the Upper School addition resulting in the relocation of the remaining seventh and eighth grade core academic classes allowing for permanent space of JA’s signature programs such as SOAR, Raider Network, Life Skills, and Student Mentoring.  
• Space allocation in this phase would also allow for the relocation of the campus bookstore to a more central area of campus convenient for late openings and athletic events.
• The new addition would allow for a dedicated “front door” to the north side of campus relocating the Middle School office into a new gathering and entry area for this side of campus.

If additional funds are raised beyond the two-phase plan, our master plan vision of $10,780,000 would give JA’s north campus at the school’s main entrance off of Ridgewood Road a more cohesive feel and include:

• A new multipurpose student life component to our current competition gym that would provide additional space to enhance our current and future academic, athletic, and co-curricular programming.
• The merging of this new space without current gym square footage would allow for flexible indoor and outdoor spaces designed for lectures, activities, and special events.
• New restrooms and concession facilities along with an athletic trophy hall and training rooms would complete this phase.

Jackson Academy is a special community dedicated to helping identify our studentʼs greatest talents, develop their particular gifts, and live with a strong sense of faith and purpose.  We are excited that you are a part of this school with such limitless potential.  With Investing in Our Mission, we are building on the wonderful history and traditions while embracing the exemplary achievements of our present and the boundless possibilities of our future.  Join us on this journey!

The positive impact Jackson Academy has had on those it serves would not be possible without the physical and financial support of our families and friends.  Together we can make this capital campaign one of the crowning achievements in the schoolʼs history.  

We hope that you share our vision to enhance this wonderful school, and we ask you to consider making a commitment in support of Investing in Our Mission: A Capital Campaign for Jackson Academy.

Your gift may be established as a pledge, payable over three years.  Pledges do not necessarily have to be made in equal installments.  Some families, for instance, have chosen to increase their payments as time passes.  Gifts to Jackson Academy are tax-deductible, as allowed by law.

We thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request.

“Our mission at Jackson Academy challenges us to inspire and equip each student to lead a life of purpose and significance. This campaign calls on our entire nurturing and spiritual community to invest in that mission to assure that Jackson Academy is able to fulfill its charge for all of our students at every level of our school for years to come.”

Pat and Peter Jernberg, Campaign Honorary Chairs

Pat and Peter are parents of Jennifer Jernberg, a ’92 Jackson Academy alumna.   Peter serves as President Emeritus of Jackson Academy and on the Board of Trustees for the Sherard Shaw Foundation.  He served as President and CEO of Jackson Academy from 1988-2014.  Prior to Jackson Academy he was at Indianola Academy for 21 years and served the last nine years as Headmaster.  In 2008, Peter was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by Delta State University.  Pat and Peter are active members of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church.

“Since Jackson Academy’s humble founding in 1959, its dedicated purpose was one of service to students, their families, and the greater Jackson community with an all encompassing spirit of excellence undergirding its worthy educational goals, objectives, and endeavors. The current mission of Jackson Academy is to inspire and equip each student to lead a life of purpose and significance within a nurturing and spiritual community is the cornerstone for JA’s continued academic and co-curricular excellence and its rich, time honored traditions. As a result of Jackson Academy’s strong commitment to its mission, JA has become one of the leading independent schools in the southeast. We personally have been privileged to have been a part of the JA family for over thirty years and have witnessed the dedication of devoted leadership, family support, and sacrificial giving that has allowed our school to become a beacon in the Independent School world. The most important and paramount observation is the immense success of the thousands of graduates who are leaders and making significant contributions in their respective professions in our state, nation, and beyond.” “This Capital Campaign “INVESTING IN OUR MISSION” is significant and much needed if we are to sustain and enhance our educational objectives and goals so that we can ensure an even brighter future for the students and families of Jackson Academy. We invite you to prayerfully and respectfully consider joining us in supporting this most meaningful Campaign.”

Janna and Will ʼ03 Lampton, Campaign Co-Chairs

Janna and Will are parents of two children Leighton and Ellie,a rising second grader and rising Kindergartener. Janna and WIll are active members in the Jackson Academy Association (JAA) and Janna will serve as the K5 Chairman for the 2021-2022 school year. Will works for Ergon, Inc. as the senior procurement specialist. The company refines and distributes petroleum products and serves customers in over 90 countries.

“I attended JA from Pre-k through 12th grade and absolutely loved it. JA was the perfect school to prepare me for my journey ahead in so many ways. When we moved back to Jackson and my kids were at the age to start considering a “big” school, I told my wife that I was extremely biased to JA so she could make the choice since she was from Atlanta and did not share my bias. We toured several different schools and when we got done touring JA, it was a no brainer. I thought the school was nice when I graduated in 2003 but when we toured in 2019, I was shocked at how much it had grown and improved over the past 15+ years. This is why we chose to co-chair this capital campaign. Outside of faith, education is the most important investment we can instill in our children for the benefit of their personal and professional development. We felt like JA already encompasses both these values well and are building to improve them through growth and investment in their staff and students through campaigns like this one.”

Geri Beth and Allen Smith, Campaign Co-Chairs

Geri Beth and Allen are parents of three children, Robert Allen, Davis, and Peyton, a rising sixth grader at Jackson Academy.  Geri Beth and Allen are active members of the JA Booster Club with Allen coaching middle school football and the Jackson Academy Association where Geri Beth currently serves on the JAA Board after successfully chairing several committees for Blue and White Night and JA Carnival..  Allen is an nationally recognized plaintiff’s attorney with over two decades of experience and the  owner and operator of Smith Law Firm, PLLC named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Law Firms for 2017.

“The Jackson Academy Investing in Our Mission capital campaign seeks to inspire and equip each student to lead a life of purpose and significance. Many of the projects being considered for this campaign are intended to bolster the infrastructure already in place, as well as provide new advanced technologies and learning capabilities for our students. Please help us put JA’s best foot forward and continue to provide the premier learning environment for our children. Your support and contribution will directly serve Jackson Academy’s important mission. Will you join with current families and supporters of Jackson Academy in providing for the future? On behalf of the Jackson Academy family, we sincerely appreciate any support you can offer.”

Mr. Robert Hederman ʼ90, Chairman, Millbrook Cricket Farm, Owner/Manager
Mr. McKie Edmonson ʼ94, Treasurer, The Park Companies Principal/Vice President
Mr. George Butler, Secretary, Grantham Poole CPA
Mr. Scott Pedigo ʼ90, Past Chairman, Baker Donelson Attorney
Mrs. Mysti Chustz ʼ96, Community Volunteer
Mrs. Angie Haraway ʼ96, St. Dominic Hospital Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Reid Lester ʼ94, Mississippi Periodontics Specialists Group, LLC
Mr. Jeffrey Lohmeier ʼ96, Bank Plus Sr. Vice President and Fiduciary Mgr.
Mrs. Kristin Nations ʼ96, St. Dominic Hospital Physical Therapist
Mr. Brad Reeves ʼ97, Randall, Segrest, Weeks, Reeves & Sones, PLLC            
Dr. Brad Williams, Pelahatchie Dental Clinic, Owner

Trustee Emeritus
Mr. Philip Bowman ʼ86, Specialty Metals Supply Owner/President      
Dr. Ed Kennedy, Northeast Animal Hospital Owner/Veterinarian
Mr. John England, Butler Snow Attorney
Mr. Randy James, Pruet Companies Owner
Mr. Walter Weems, Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC

President Emeritus
Mr. J. Peter Jernberg, Jr., Jackson Academy President Emeritus

“The members of the JA Raider Community that have gone before us have always given sacrificially to enable us to work hard to ensure that what was started in 1959 will be able to continue in 2021 and beyond. Because of their example and the legacy that they have built – we are charged with continuing on the tradition of giving not only a great school, but also to a great community that impacts and changes lives. The contributions that will be made will build physical structures and help create new programs, but more importantly, these contributions will help teach Biblical lessons, instill standards of high character, and enrich the lives of our families and students.”