Upper School News

Class of 2025 Enjoys Outdoor Graduation Ceremony

/ Upper School

Both the valedictory and salutatory addresses at Jackson Academy’s graduation ceremony on May 15 focused on themes of overcoming obstacles in the future. Valedictorian Sophie Henderson, who plans to attend New York University, spoke to her classmates about facing challenges and finding solutions when the path forward seems unclear. Salutatorian Aniya Bradley, who will be attending Spelman College, gave the opening remarks, emphasizing that the faculty had prepared the Class of 2025 with valuable lessons on treating others, leadership, critical thinking, as well as resilience and grace in the face of trials. 

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Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced

/ News Releases

Jackson Academy has named seniors Sophie Henderson and Aniya Bradley valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2025. Both students will address the audience at the Jackson Academy graduation ceremonies to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15 in the Brickyard, the outdoor sports stadium, on JA’s campus. The weather site is Christ United Jackson on 6000 Old Canton Road.

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MEC Honors STAR Students and Teachers

/ News Releases

The Mississippi Economic Council sponsors the Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program to encourage scholastic achievement among high school students and to recognize the teaching profession. Jackson Academy’s STAR students are Sophie Henderson, who selected Ann Boswell Carlson as her STAR teacher, and Miller Usry, who selected Sara Bannerman as his STAR teacher. STAR students are chosen based on having the highest ACT score in the graduating class, along with other academic achievements. 

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Brooke Dennis Selected for Gates Scholarship Program

/ News Releases

Jackson Academy senior Brooke Dennis has been named a Gates Scholar and member of The Gates Scholarship Class of 2025. She is one of 750 students from a nationwide pool of 48,000 applicants to receive the honor this year. In the award notification, the Gates Foundation noted: “You now belong to an elite group of young leaders—all of whom represent the very pinnacle of academic achievement, service, and commitment.”

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Kindergartners Serenade Seniors During Final Chapel Program

/ Lower School

This morning, kindergartners and their senior Alpha and Omega buddies gathered for the seniors’ final chapel program. Before the service, the Alpha and Omega pairs paraded hand in hand in front of Preschool and Lower School students and senior parents, who were cheering as seniors took another step toward graduation. During chapel, while their omegas watched from the auditorium seats, the alphas sang “Graduation” by Vitamin C to their senior buddies, celebrating the lasting impact of friendship.

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Senior Awards Night 2025

/ Upper School

One of the most anticipated traditions each year at JA is Senior Awards Night, held last Tuesday evening. At this event, JA announces members of the Hall of Fame, Most Beautiful, Most Handsome, Beauties and Beaux, Mr. and Miss JA, and Class Favorites, among other academic, service, and student life awards. 

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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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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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