Jackson Public Schools
About Us
District Information
Jackson Public Schools is the third-largest school district in Mississippi, serving nearly 17,000 scholars, representing more than 80 percent of school-aged children in the state's capital and only urban municipality. Jackson, Mississippi has about 170,000 residents in an area of 104 square miles. There are 35 schools, which include 6 high schools, 7 middle schools, 22 elementary schools, along with 10 special program schools. These schools are divided into 6 feeder patterns based on the high school receiving the area's scholars.
Most of the District's administrative offices, including the Superintendent's office and the District's state-of-the-art boardroom, are housed in a two-block complex located at the city's center. Additional facilities in the city house offices for Campus Enforcement, Enrollment Services & Records, Transportation, Athletics, Child Nutrition, and more.
Vision
We prepare scholars to achieve globally, to contribute locally, and to be fulfilled individually.
Mission
We develop scholars through world-class learning experiences to attain an exceptional knowledge base, critical and relevant skill sets, and the necessary dispositions for great success.
Core Values
At Jackson Public Schools, we believe in the importance of equity, excellence, growth mindset, relationships, relevance, and a positive and respectful culture.
Equity
Our vision of equity, put simply, is "all means all." We ensure equity by celebrating each scholar's individuality, interests, abilities and talents; providing each scholar in each school with equitable access to high-quality instruction, courses, and resources; and holding high expectations for all scholars to graduate college-ready and career-minded. Similarly, we recognize and value the individual abilities, experiences and talents of our staff; providing all staff with equitable access to opportunities for development and growth; and ensuring that such opportunities are provided through clear and transparent processes.
Excellence
High expectations for our scholars help to prepare them for college and career paths. High expectations from and for all adults foster ownership, consistency, and transparency. Every member of our district performs with an attention to detail and the quality that each task demands in order to achieve great outcomes.
Growth Mindset
High expectations for our scholars help to prepare them for college and career paths. High expectations from and for all adults foster ownership, consistency, and transparency. Every member of our district performs with an attention to detail and the quality that each task demands in order to achieve great outcomes.
Relationships
It is essential to develop relationships through mutual respect of culture, social context, and community. This allows us to create a community of safety, trust, productive vulnerability, and genuine connection as we celebrate successes and value opportunities for constructive feedback.
Relevance
Scholars experience relevant education that is engaging, motivating, and inspiring, leading to a lifelong commitment to learning. Our scholars must learn to connect with each other, the larger community, and the 21st-century world, ultimately developing agency to contribute to positive change in Jackson, in Mississippi, and in the world.
Positive & Respectful Culture
Scholars and staff thrive in learning environments where growth and achievement are the highest priorities and climates are safe, positive, and respectful. These environments engage and excite all scholars, leaving them hungry for more knowledge. All adults contribute to a positive and respectful culture allowing them to experience more productivity, increased retention, and joy at work.
Special Programs
JPS scholars are enrolled in grades pre-K–12 and may take part in the District's special program offerings designed to meet the needs and interests of a large and diverse scholar and parent population. Pre-K is offered at 21 elementary schools, and the Montessori curriculum is taught at one elementary school. There are programs for the intellectually and academically gifted, including Open Doors, which is available to intellectually gifted scholars in grades 2–6, and APAC (Academic and Performing Arts Complex) for scholars in grades 4–12. Besides the academic component, the APAC program includes an intense visual and performing arts school. Scholars may audition as early as third grade to enter the program in the fourth grade.
Based on an international standard that includes accelerated language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and foreign language curricula, the International Baccalaureate Programme in JPS offers instruction for scholars in grades K–5 through the Primary Years Programme, for scholars in grades 6–10 through the Middle Years Programme, and for scholars in grades 11–12 through the Diploma Programme.