Put Your Heart Into It
A lot of learning goes on in the Lower School, and that learning is enhanced by a significant focus on community.
Jackson Academy is a happy, welcoming place that puts the needs of your child at the center of everything we do.
JA’s excellent elementary-aged instruction started 65 years ago to teach reading by phonics. Today’s Lower School builds on a strong reading core and immerses your child in exploration with math manipulatives, STEM lab, digital presentations, and field trips.
At the end of Lower School, your child will have the confidence and independence to take on the greater responsibilities of Middle School.
Lower School Curriculum
The Lower School curriculum emphasizes the basics of reading, writing, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science. Art, music, Spanish, STEM, and library enrichment classes rotate through once each week. Physical education days vary by grade level.
At the Lower School, your child will:
Begin each day with an uplifting message from the dean, followed by classroom devotions, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Select appropriate-level books to read independently while working toward an individual goal.
Use hands-on, real-world applications to see how and why things work in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Attend Chapel to develop a deeper understanding of spirituality.
Learn the fundamentals of Spanish conversation, vocabulary, and culture from a native Spanish speaker.
Special Subjects
Building upon the foundation of our core curriculum, special subjects at JA impart lessons in movement, color, music, and language — all to help your child grow into a well-rounded person.
The following classes are integrated into the regular school day for students in the Lower School:
Art
Artistic expression facilitates discovery and allows your child to communicate individual thoughts and ideas. It increases their sense of worth and nurtures their talent and artistic sensibilities.
Every Lower School student attends weekly art classes allowing them exposure to artwork by many different artists, as well as a variety of types and styles of art from different cultures and historical periods. Your child will gain new skills through the JA art program and focus on practicing and improving those skills.
The result is increased confidence in handling tools, materials and media.
Bible
Young Raiders learn about the Bible and Biblical stories that supply loving guidance for their lives and their relationships with others.
Music
In first and second grades, your child will experience music through listening, singing, playing instruments, and movement activities. Styles, periods, and composers are studied. Lecture presentation is a part of each lesson, but student involvement is the primary source of learning.
In third, fourth, and fifth grades, music selections include a variety of styles, different periods of time, music from other countries, composers and instrument study. Your child will learn to sing on pitch, read a musical score and move to the beat. Music vocabulary is ongoing both through reading and verbal usage, and cooperative learning skills are ongoing through music games and activities.
Each grade presents a musical program each year.
Physical Education
In conjunction with the overall mission statement of Jackson Academy, the Lower School Physical Education department operates with six basic tenants:
- Contribute to the total educational experience of each child.
- Provide opportunities to be active.
- Expose each child to a variety of activities.
- Encourage each child to develop healthy lifestyle habits through participation and education.
- Gain knowledge of motor performance, sports skills, health, and fitness.
- Teach concomitant values and character education.
Health and fitness components and evaluation provide opportunities to measure progress in the area of fitness, as well as give guidance toward a healthy lifestyle. Special activities and programs that dovetail with classroom curriculum and Field Day add to the variety of the curriculum.
Spanish
Your child will experience Spanish in the Lower School, with a curriculum that covers the basic elements of conversation, foundational vocabulary, and verbal response. We create an environment where students can explore elements of language and culture through crafts, projects, and videos.
Learn more about…
Student Support
We employ a team approach in meeting your child’s needs in a variety of areas. The team consists of the student, parents, teachers, support personnel, and outside professionals as indicated. This team provides:
- Diagnostic testing
- Resource classes for remediation and reinforcement
- Study skills and brain-based learning activities
- Educational counseling
- Group guidance activities geared toward healthy choices
Meet Our Division Leader
Marcy Rall
Head of Lower School
Serving as Head of Lower School since 2023, Marcy McDonald brings to JA experience in the classroom and in curriculum development from two large public school systems. She is a former Teacher of the Year recipient at the district and metro levels. Rall holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and two master’s degrees in elementary education and educational leadership from Mississippi College. Rall is grateful for the atmosphere felt on campus and the opportunity to invest in the lives of students at JA, working in cooperation with the parents, teachers, families, and alumni of the school.
Lower School Calendar
-
Oct 10Thursday
5th Grade SOAR Trip
-
Oct 17Thursday
LS See Us In Action
-
Oct 25Friday
K5 Pumpkins with Pops
-
Oct 30Wednesday
Alpha & Omega
Visit Jackson Academy
Schedule your personal tour of JA’s campus by calling 601.364.5761 or clicking the link below.