Student Honoraries & Clubs

Chi Alpha Mu

A national organization for students with high achievement in mathematics and interest in the field as a career. Open to Middle School students who meet academic requirements.

Cum Laude Society

Chapter of the national, selective, and 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.

Latin Honor Society

Latin Honor Society is the honor society endorsed by the National Junior Classical League and is open to any student currently enrolled in a Latin course at Jackson Academy. To be eligible for membership in the Latin Honor Society, students must be members in good standing of the National Junior Classical League’s state and national organizations, maintain at least a 90 average in the current Latin course through the end of the 3rd term, and exemplify good citizenship.

Mu Alpha Theta

National mathematics honor society recognizing outstanding achievement in math. Standards of admission are set by Mu Alpha Theta and Jackson Academy.

National Honor Society

Each January, qualified Upper School students are invited to apply for National Honor Society membership. Sophomores must have a cumulative GPA of 95 or above after 3 semesters, juniors must have a cumulative GPA of 92 or above after 5 semesters, and seniors must have a cumulative GPA of 90 or above after 7 semesters. The student must then provide evidence of service, leadership, and character on the application. A committee of faculty members selects members based on these applications.

National English Honor Society

Organization that recognizes students with outstanding achievements in English and literature and is open to students in grades 11 and 12. To be eligible for the NEHS, one must have an overall GPA of at least a 90 and have completed of at least three semesters of English at Jackson Academy.

National Junior Honor Society

National Junior Honor Society is an organization that recognizes and promotes academic achievement while developing other characteristics such as character, service, leadership, and citizenship. Students are eligible to be considered for membership in the seventh and eighth grades based on a minimum unrounded average of 94.5 from the previous year and the first semester of the current year. The tapping of new members occurs in February each year.

Rho Kappa

Rho Kappa is a national honor society for students that excel in social science and is open to students in grades 11 and 12. To be eligible for induction in Rho Kappa, one must have completed two years of social studies courses and have a minimum overall GPA of a 90.

Science National Honor Society

This Society recognizes students with outstanding achievement in science coursework and is open to students in grades 11 and 12. To be eligible for SNHS, one must have completed at least 3 semesters of honors level science courses at Jackson Academy and still be enrolled in the honors science curriculum.

Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honor Society)

The Spanish Honor Society recognizes Jackson Academy students in grade 10 or above who have a three-semester Spanish average of 95 or above.

Société Honoraire de Français (French Honor Society)

This Society recognizes Jackson Academy students in grade 10 or above who have a three-semester French average of 95 or above.

Book Club

JA’s Book Club gives students in grades nine through twelve the opportunity to meet and discuss books with their peers in an informal setting. The students 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.

Bowling

The JA Bowling Team is the newest club sport at Jackson Academy. Labeled the “Bowling Raiders,” JA’s team will play bowling teams from other schools within our area. Bowling is currently the fastest growing sport within high schools in the country and Jackson Academy is the first school in the MAIS to form a team. Co-Head Coaches are Dean Arnold and Phillip Buffington.

Chess Club

The 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 to come and learn to play!

Cooking Club

In the Cooking Club, students learn cooking techniques to use well beyond their time at JA. All skill levels are welcome. Cooking Club members acquire new skills, meet new people, and enjoy tasty food.

Ducks Unlimited

JA’s Ducks Unlimited Club was organized in the fall of 2018 by student McNeil Dinkins and a group of his peers interested in hunting and conservation.  Members compete against fellow varsity chapters for the coveted MS Varsity Duck Bowl trophy each year with criteria set through membership, fundraising and community service. JA members host an annual fall banquet complete with seated dinner, raffles, and a live and silent auction.  JA’s chapter currently holds the top varsity chapter title in Mississippi for the past three years and is ranked #5 nationally.  2023-24 student chairmen are Newell Eatherly and Harper Mars.  Faculty club sponsor is Jim Wilkirson.  The 2023 JA DU Fall Sportsman’s Banquet will be held at Bridlewood of Madison on Monday, November 13 at 6:00pm.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

The goal of FCA at JA is “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.”

Habitat for Humanity

The Habitat for Humanity Club is made up of students from grades nine through twelve who want to make a difference in others’ lives. Club members strive to help the Jackson Habitat for Humanity organization in any way possible. From sweeping to painting to entertaining, club members put their best effort forward with any project they are given.

Harry Potter/Quidditch Club

Harry Potter Club is open to all Upper School students who have interest in developing their knowledge and enjoyment of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Members are sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. Houses participate in feasts, quiz bowl tournaments, movie nights, and quidditch matches. Multiple quidditch matches take place throughout the year, culminating in a final tournament to determine the quidditch champions.

JA Film Society

The JA Film Society welcomes students with an interest in watching and discussing good movies. Society members vote on a theme or genre for each semester. Teachers then curate film selections that are fun, relevant, and historically or aesthetically interesting. Join us for discussions and movie nights throughout the semester.

French Club

The French Club is open to anyone in grades nine through twelve who is interested in learning more about the French language and culture. We have many members who don’t even take French. Our goals are education, service, and fun!

Mythology Club

Have you heard of the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, Lancelot, Moana, Loki, Siegfried, Beowulf, Demeter, and Prometheus? These are just a few of the names that are mentioned in the Mythology Club. But, what is a myth, what constitutes a myth, and why do myths transcend time and place? Are myths simply fictitious narratives, or do they have deeper meaning? These are some of the questions students will consider in the Mythology Club. Become a mythophile, or “lover of myths,” as we analyze stories from ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Scandinavia, and other cultures, including films such as George Lucas’ Star Wars and Cocteau’s Orphée, to see how cinema visualizes mythic stories and archetypes. Faculty club sponsor is Andrew Byrd.

Outdoor Club

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. Devotionals are held every morning and evening during trips and focus on strengthening faith and appreciation for God’s world.

Paintball Club

The JA Paintball Club organizes two to three JA-only events each year at Action Pursuit Games in Canton. The events typically last for the better part of the day, and lunch is included. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Dennis Conklin. For pricing, check out the Action Pursuit website. We hope to see you out there.

Pre-Med Society

The Pre-Med society is an organization that provides students an opportunity to view the medical profession by touring hospitals, attending surgeries, and hearing speakers from the medical field.

Interact Club

The Interact Club encourages students to engage in service to the school, community, and religious organizations. The Upper School uses the MobileServe app to record service hours.

Latin Club

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 language studies in Latin. 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 group celebrates Rome’s birthday.

Rowdies

JA Rowdies create a positive and school-spirited environment during and centered around Jackson Academy sporting events.  They create an atmosphere of excitement for our fans and for our players at pep rallies and on the playing field and encourage active participation from the student body as well as the rest of the Raider family during athletic games. The Rowdies will strive to maintain a positive, exciting, and respectful attitude while on the Raider campus and off, both during and surrounding JA sporting events.  The Rowdies are not a social group but rather an organization made up of senior boys who properly and actively represent the spirit of our school and their families. Faculty club sponsor is Dean Arnold.

Service Club

The Upper School Service Club is open to any Upper School student who is interested in serving others. The club participates in many fundraisers serving as volunteers, donating items, and donating funds. Students receive updates on opportunities about which organizations from the school. Club members often coordinate drives to collect items such as bedding for foster homes, coats and blankets to be distributed in cold weather, jeans, hygiene items for nursing homes, and disaster relief items. Club members also participate on-site at community partner events as volunteers. All Upper School students are encouraged to provide service to community, school, religious organizations, and other community partners and to record service hours on the school funded MobileServe App. Faculty club sponsor is Audrey Wilkirson.

Speech and Debate

Speech and Debate allows students to develop their public speaking, critical thinking, and performance abilities by competing in tournaments and practicing in front of peers. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in law, politics, or acting is highly encouraged to join.

Spanish Club

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 other Hispanic holidays. For many years, the club has sponsored an Ecuadorian family, sending a contribution each month. The Spanish Club invites guests to present programs and participates in various service projects.

Students Against Destructive Decisions

The SADD chapter of JA exists to help students avoid the dangers of drinking and driving and has since expanded to deal with underage drinking, drug usage, bullying and a plethora of other destructive decisions.

Ultimate Frisbee

The Ultimate Frisbee Club was founded in 2016. Its members participate in one to two practices a week while participating in matches and a tournament in the spring. The Ultimate Frisbee Club is a great way to get involved at JA and participate in friendly competition with other high schools around the state.  2023-24 Student contacts are Thomas Earl and Noah Pressler. Faculty club sponsor is Dean Arnold.