Key Updates for the Year Ahead
Jackson Academy announced last week several changes for the 2026-2027 school year designed to build on our school’s existing strengths, taking what is already strong and making it even better.
Cum Laude Chapter Reflects a Culture of Achievement
Thirteen Jackson Academy students crossed the Performing Arts Center stage Wednesday to receive the Cum Laude Society pin, recognizing their superior academic achievement. They joined previous student and faculty inductees of JA’s chapter, one of only four Cum Laude charters granted in Mississippi.
Morgan Cheatham and Crystal Gao Named STAR Students
Jackson Academy is proud to recognize this year’s STAR students and their chosen teachers: Morgan Cheatham, who selected chemistry teacher Richard West, and Crystal Gao, who selected French teacher Zoubir Tabout.
On Teaching, Sharing, and Changing Lives
There is no more fitting time to reflect on third grade teacher Beckie Lee’s completion of her doctorate in education than during Women’s History Month. Teaching, she believes, is one of the most powerful forces for change that exists. It works quietly, one classroom at a time, shaping not just what young people know but how they see themselves and the world around them. For her third graders and the faculty she works alongside every day, her achievement is a living reminder that education never stops.
JA Senior Wins Prestigious Jefferson Scholarship
Jackson Academy senior Shelby Grant has been awarded the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia. The full-ride scholarship covers four years of undergraduate study, paid study abroad opportunities, and access to a distinguished alumni network.
Boys Basketball Claims 4A DII State Title; Boys and Girls Teams Head to Overall Tournament
Jackson Academy’s boys and girls basketball programs have both punched their tickets to the MAIS Overall Basketball Tournament, with the boys claiming the 4A Division II State Title and the girls advancing to the 4A Division II championship game. Both teams will now compete against the top programs of every classification from across the MAIS at Mississippi College in Clinton for the overall championship title.
Seniors Named Christian Leaders of the Future Finalists for 2026
Jackson Academy seniors Sara Madalin Brown and Lucy Jones have been named finalists for Mississippi Christian Living’s 2026 Christian Leaders of the Future, earning a feature in the magazine’s March issue. They were selected from a competitive statewide pool of more than 250 high school students who completed applications, including essays about their Christian faith. A panel of Christian community leaders judges the program, now in its 18th year of honoring young Christian leaders.
College Board Recognizes JA for AP Program Excellence
Jackson Academy has been named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement® School Honor Roll for the 2024-25 school year based on its success in preparing students for college. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results and broadening student participation. Through AP coursework, students increase college readiness, earn college credit or advanced placement, and gain experience with college-level curriculum. Schools earn this distinction annually based on their performance during the previous academic year.
Carson Caraway Named Gatorade Player of the Year
Jackson Academy junior Carson Caraway has been named the Mississippi Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, becoming the second Raider to earn a prestigious Gatorade title this year. Carson’s award marks the twelfth time in the last thirteen years a JA athlete has been named Gatorade Player of the Year and represents the third time in school history Jackson Academy has produced multiple Gatorade Players of the Year in the same academic year.
Nominations Open for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award
Is there a JA graduate who consistently impresses you? As you think of all the alumni you know who are deserving of recognition, consider nominating one of them by January 31, 2026, for our Distinguished Alumni Award.
