ACT Test Scores Trending Up

December 15th, 2015

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From back, left to right, Tyler McClellan, Dalton Gibson, Reid Fracchia, Davis Rippee, Kyle Kantor, Mac Temple, Steven Winford, Parker Kennedy, Nathan Lucas, Nic Beddingfield, Brennan Canton, Ben McDowell, Cory Tirman, Caroline Nall, Hannah McCowan, Amanda Ray, Glennis McWilliams, Annalee Purdie, Rose Maxwell, Madison Carroll, Georgia Gibson, Robyn Hadden, Clarke Wilkirson, Sydney Hays. Not pictured are Rebecca Nosef and Bryn Noble.
ACT scores among Jackson Academy students are showing an upward trend in several categories. The class of 2015 averaged a composite score of 25.3, up from the past two years and above JA’s recent five-year average of 25. The state average is 19 and the national average is 21.

Two particular categories of JA test takers demonstrate notable figures. Students attending JA since Lower School averaged 26.2 this year. Students in advanced curriculum averaged 30 in 2014 and 2015.

Overall, 28 percent of seniors have already scored 29 or above to date, making them eligible for Mississippi’s Eminent Scholars Grant, a $2500 per year grant awarded to in-state residents pursuing their first degree at an approved post-secondary institution in Mississippi. Recipients of the grant also must have maintained a high school cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale. Testing dates remain for this ACT testing cycle, so additional Eminent Scholars are expected. Juniors are also scoring 29 and above at a rate similar to the senior class.

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STEM Students Build Amusement Park

December 7th, 2015

Mr. Power’s fourth grade students are building an amazing project in Lower School STEM lab. Mrs. Gnemi’s class made “Powersland” during their Amusement Park Design mission using LEGO and K’NEX products. Each team made a working attraction and either a concession, game, ticket booth, or bathroom. This project encourages creativity, fine motor skill use, and engineering savvy. Other classes will continue work on Powersland and build a carousel, swing ride, double Ferris wheel, drop tower, swinging pirate ship, and launch-style coaster. Amusement Park Design is one of five new rotating fourth grade missions that each class will experience throughout the year. The other four rotations are rocketry, skyscrapers, advanced EV3 robotics and stop-motion animation.

JA Recognized as Apple Distinguished School

October 27th, 2015

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Jackson Academy is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2015-2017. The Apple Distinguished School mark is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments.

In 2013, JA joined a small group of schools and colleges worldwide recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools. To be renewed as an Apple Distinguished School, JA submitted an application and extensive documentation.

“An Apple Distinguished School must provide tangible evidence of academic accomplishment and offer an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students,” said Cliff Kling, JA president. “Teachers have enhanced the teaching and learning occurring inside and outside of the classroom by incorporating innovative use of technology.”

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Conley Chinn Named Gatorade® MS Volleyball Player of the Year

December 8th, 2015

The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, today announced Conley Chinn as its 2015-16 Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year. Chinn is the first Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year to be chosen from Jackson Academy. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Chinn as Mississippi’s best high school volleyball player, said The Gatorade Company in a press release sent to JA this morning. Chinn joins an elite alumni association of past state award winners in 12 sports, including USA Volleyball players Kim Glass (2001-02, Horseshoe HS, Penn.), Kim Willoughby (1998-99, 1999-00, Assumption HS, La.) and Ogonna Nnamani (1999-00, University HS, Ill).

The 6-foot-1 junior middle blocker led the Raiders to a 35-3 record and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools championship this past season. Chinn recorded 283 kills, 263 blocks, and 91 service aces. A member of the All-State Tournament Team each of the past two seasons, she is also a Clarion-Ledger First Team All-State selection. Chinn has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. Also a track and basketball standout, she has served on the student council and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics and youth basketball programs.

“Chinn is strong at the net, quick and super energetic,” said Brooke Engle, head coach at Ocean Springs High. “She was really a pivotal player and a good leader for that team.”

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Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education Guides New Program

December 7th, 2015

David Streight, executive director of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, visited JA November 18-19 to continue to guide and direct the school’s development of a more formal character education program. He met with the strategic plan ethics committee, members of the Soar team, the Board of Trustees, the president’s council, JA students, deans, and the advancement team. The programs being developed are part of the 2015-2020 strategic plan. To read more about the strategic plan and these initiatives, visit the strategic plan website at jacksonacademy.org/strategicplan and click on Take a Stand. While at JA, Streight also spoke to the Jackson Area Association of Independent School Heads (JAAIS) who visited JA for a separate meeting.