Middle School Division

The recent re-organization of JA divisions creates a special and appropriate environment for our middle schoolers. These years can be challenging for your child—and you! The JA curriculum recognizes that fifth through eighth graders need steady guidance in exploring their strengths and talents.

Curriculum Overview

In our Middle School, your child begins to develop greater independence. In turn, JA places greater expectations on behavior and commitment. A departmentalization system is introduced for fifth graders, allowing for deeper subject-matter expertise instruction and exposure to a greater diversity of teachers. Each year, more individualized elective choices become possible, and your child will begin to navigate class changes individually instead of as part of a group.

Highlights

• Starting in fifth grade, all JA students work on their own take-home iPads, making multimedia project work possible. In addition to traditional papers and a continued emphasis on grammar and technical writing skills, students also develop podcasts and iMovies to demonstrate mastery of a topic and ability to communicate clearly.
• Sixth graders explore Romance Languages using Duo Lingo software, then have the option to try out Chinese and German in later grades.
• In sixth grade, students mentor first grade friends through the Book Buddies program.
• Special electives offered by our Upper School teachers such as photojournalism and comparative politics spark interests and highlight teachers’ passions.
• Honors programs in math and science become available starting in eighth grade, with additional options available each subsequent year.
• JA traditionally participates in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP), which identifies students who score at 95%+ on a grade-level achievement test. In recent years, more than half of the seventh grade class has earned recognition.
• Middle school and upper school students explore spirituality and faith during four required chapel services each year. Additional chapel attendance is voluntary and encouraged.
• Traditions, including dances, Field Day, and annual SOAR Mississippi River trips, help bond students even more closely together.
• Student council, athletics, choral music, and band participation become possible once students reach the middle school grades.

STEM at JA

Whats Next

After exploring numerous opportunities, including student government, community involvement, and a variety of extracurricular activities, students feel prepared to enter Upper School with a newly developed focus on their talents and college preparation.

JA Middle School Admission

Schedule your in-person tour of Jackson Academy’s Middle School to learn more about JA and decide if it’s a good fit for your child, by contacting admission@jacksonacademy.org or call 601.364.5761. If you are ready to begin the application process, click here.