Jackson Academy offers many academic organizations, clubs, and activities for student participation. All academic organizations have grade requirements. Organizations and clubs are formed as student interest dictates.
Academic Groups
Chi Alpha Mu is a national organization of achievement and interest in the field of mathematics. It is open to Middle School students who meet academic requirements.
Cum Laude Society at Jackson Academy is a chapter of the national selective, prestigious academic organization. Criteria for membership
are based on performance of national standards, including the PSAT and ACT, as well as maintaining an exceptional GPA and on performance within a rigorous curriculum of honors and AP courses.
Mu Alpha Theta is a national mathematics honor society recognizing outstanding achievement in math. Standards of admission are set by Mu Alpha Theta and Jackson Academy.
National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society recognize students with high achievement in scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Standards of admission are set by the National Honor Society and Jackson Academy. Once inducted, a student must maintain the standards that were used as the basis for his/her selection, as well as participate in a yearly chapter service project.
JA Clubs
Throughout the year, members of the A Capella Club will learn techniques that lead to successful a capella singing such as beat boxing, blend, vocal accompaniment, vocal jazz, and finding the right arrangements for your group.
Archery Club/Skeet Team
JA Book Club gives students in grades nine through twelve the opportunity to meet and discuss books of their choosing with their peers in an informal setting. The students will also collect children’s books to take to an after-school care center to read and distribute to younger students who do not have access to books.
Chess Club allows students the opportunity to show off their intellectual prowess and to hone their strategic planning skills. The Chess Club is always looking for new members. All ages are welcome and we would love to teach you to play!
Community Service Club is about teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.
In the Cooking Club, students will learn cooking techniques and leadership skills that they can use beyond their time at JA. Whether you are new to cooking or have been cooking your whole life, you have a place in the Cooking Club. Cooking Club members will learn new skills, meet new people, and enjoy tasty food.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes: “To present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.”
Harry Potter Club enables student members both to revel in and appreciate the concepts portrayed by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter series. The club is open to all Upper School students who have interest in developing their knowledge and enjoyment of the Harry Potter world. Members are sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses from the novels: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. Houses participate in myriad activities such as feasts, quiz bowl tournaments, movie nights, and Quidditch matches. The most revered activity among these is Quidditch. Multiple matches will take place throughout the year, culminating in a final tournament to determine the Quidditch champions.
Latin Club is the local branch of the state and national Junior Classical League. Prospective members must be enrolled in or have completed at least one year of the language. The club fosters an interest in the classics. Each January the Roman Banquet, which is attended by students dressed in togas and other Roman attire, is the highlight of the year. The club also participates in the JA Carnival, Raider Night Club Fair, and in the state JCL Convention. In April, the big event is the Birthday of Rome celebration. Occasionally, the club uses extra funds to purchase equipment for the Latin Department.
Obscure Sports Club is designed to expose students to a variety of lesser known sports, such as volleyball, ultimate Frisbee®, Frisbee® golf and paintball.
Outdoor Club is an organization for students who enjoy nature and adventurous activities. Membership is open to all Upper School students. Activities include camping, day hiking, backpacking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, geocaching, and other outdoor activities. Trips are organized for weekends during the school year, and a summer trip is offered each year.
In the past few years, the Outdoor Club has traveled to outdoor venues in Canada, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. An important component of the Outdoor Club is the devotionals. Devotionals are held every morning and evening during the trip and focus on strengthening faith and appreciation for God’s world.
Pre-Med Society is an organization to provide students an opportunity to view the medical profession by touring hospitals, attending surgeries, and having speakers from the medical field.
Photography Club
The Jackson Academy Raider Players is an organization for students in grades 9-12 who are interested in theatre. Members of the Raider Players have opportunities to participate in extracurricular Jackson Academy theatre productions–including the fall musical, the competition one-act play, and/or the spring full-length straight (nonmusical) play. These students also make up the first pool of volunteers for technical crew assistance on middle school productions.
Student members of the Raider Players accrue points towards membership in the Jackson Academy Thespians Troupe, which is itself a member of the International Thespians Association, an organization founded in 1929 designed to honor student achievement in the theatre arts. Students earn points towards their membership in the troupe through participation in Jackson Academy and community theatre productions, and the troupe is governed by its constitution and bylaws. Raider Players are expected to adhere to these guidelines both prior to and after their induction into Thespians.
Spanish Club membership is available to all students who are current or former members of a Spanish class. In addition to selling tacos at the JA Carnival, the club hosts parties to celebrate la Navidad, Cinco de Mayo, and occasionally other Hispanic holidays. For many years, the club has sponsored an Ecuadoran family, sending a contribution each month. The Spanish Club invites guests to present programs and participates in various service projects.