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Mississippi State Scholarship Recognition for JA Seniors

/ Upper School

Twenty nine Jackson Academy seniors received scholarship recognition in April during an event honoring students who will attend Mississippi State University in the fall. MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum spoke to the student body and recognized the recipients. Scholarship recognition included the full-ride MSU Presidential Scholarships awarded to Brooke Dennis and Law Stanley. Ella Boykin was honored with a full-ride scholarship for earning the METP Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Scholarship.

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Teachers of the Year Honored for 2025

/ Preschool

Jackson Academy recognized the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year award recipients during a professional development day assembly held this spring. Each year, one teacher from each division is selected by their peers to receive this distinction.

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AI in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide

/ Perspectives in Education

Faculty and staff of Jackson Academy heard a fascinating presentation about artificial intelligence in education on Professional Development Day in March. Literature teacher Alesha Cary led a session that she has presented at professional conferences in Mississippi on what educators should understand about AI, both the positive and the cautionary.

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JA Students Honored with Scholarships to Ole Miss

/ Upper School

Twenty five Jackson Academy seniors received scholarship recognition in April during an event recognizing students who will attend The University of Mississippi in the fall. Associate Director of Admissions for Mississippi Recruitment Megan Thomas presented scholarships, including the university’s most prestigious award, the Robert M. Carrier Scholarship, awarded to Willis Thigpen. 

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Willis Thigpen Earns Prestigious Carrier Scholarship

/ News Releases

The University of Mississippi announced at Jackson Academy on Thursday that senior Willis Thigpen is a recipient of the Robert M. Carrier Scholarship. The award is considered the most prestigious offered by the university, according to Jackson Academy College Counselor Amy Bush. The Carrier Scholarship awards $40,000 over four years of attendance.

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Students Step Into the World of Beatrix Potter

/ Preschool

Each spring, those familiar words open the door to a long-standing Jackson Academy tradition: the Beatrix Potter Tea Parties. Held in the Preschool library, this special event invites K4 and K5 students into the world of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” with lemon tea, cookies, and carrots served as they listen to the classic story read by librarian Mimi Heard.

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Victoria Morgan Trains Rescued Horses

/ Upper School

Jackson Academy ninth grader Victoria Morgan has owned and ridden horses since kindergarten, so when she got the opportunity to rescue two wild ponies, she didn’t hesitate. Her years of caring for horses–and prior training with the Mississippi Horse Rescue Center–helped her with that quick decision.

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Head of School Honored with Retirement Reception

/ Head of School

Faculty and members of the Jackson Academy family met in the Performing Arts Center to celebrate the retirement of Head School Palmer Kennedy on Wednesday. Current and former representatives from the Board of Trustees and the JAA shared personal stories about Kennedy’s influential guidance at JA. Among the stories told were examples of his ability to handle various situations in schools and how he brings his faith to every challenge.

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Show Choir Closes Out Award-Winning Season

/ Middle School

Jackson Academy’s show-stopping show choir groups rocked the stage with incredible performances last week on the Performing Arts Center stage. The two-time Grand Champion Middle School group, Showtime, opened the show with an eye-catching production, while Upper School Encore blew the crowd away with an incredible closer. To celebrate the completion of an award-winning season, these groups performed for an audience of students, faculty, and family members. The show choir program ended its competition season at the Brandon ELITE Show Choir competition located at the Brandon Amphitheater on March 29.

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