2025 Annual Report

2 25 Annual Report Jackson County School System

2 25 Annual Report

Building The Future of Education Building The Future of Education

This Edition

Heroes Elementary School opened in August of 2024, becoming the seventh elementary school within the Jackson County School System.

The school was funded by E-SPLOST, State Capital Outlay and General Funds. The school was completely paid off in January 2025.

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Committed to Student Achievement

Record Setting Graduation Rate

An Exemplary Board A Top Workplace The Class of 2025 A Glance at JCSS Building A New Future School Profiles

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The graduating class of 2024 set a new Jackson County School System record with a graduation rate of 96 percent.

The 2025 Annual Report is a publication of the Jackson County School System Public Relations Department.

From The Superintendent Committed to student achievement Partnering for a better tomorrow in education

“This success is not possible without the unwavering support of our families, staff, and community partners.

Together, we form a vital partnership that ensures every child has the support, resources, and encouragement needed to thrive. Whether through volunteering, attending school events, or simply encouraging learning at home, your involvement makes a meaningful difference.”

As we reflect on another remarkable year within the Jackson County School System, I am filled with gratitude and pride in the progress we’ve made together. Our community is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes exciting opportunities — and the responsibility — to continue building a school system that meets the evolving needs of every student.

This success is not possible without the unwavering support of our families, staff, and community partners.

Together, we form a vital partnership that ensures every child has the support, resources, and encouragement needed to thrive. Whether through volunteering, attending school events, or simply encouraging learning at home, your involvement makes a meaningful difference.

At the heart of our mission is a steadfast commitment to student achievement for all learners. We believe that every student deserves access to high-quality academic programs, robust opportunities in the performing arts, and competitive, character-building athletic experiences.

Through strategic investments in curriculum, facilities, and staff development, we are creating an environment where every child can discover and develop their unique talents.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: to empower all students to reach their full potential and prepare them for success, whether that be through employment, enlistment or enrolled in a postsecondary institution.

Thank you for your continued partnership, your belief in our mission, and your dedication to the children of Jackson County. Together, we are building something truly special.

Philip M. Brown Philip M. Brown Superintendent

www.jacksonschoolsga.org

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GOVERNANCE TEAM The Jackson County School System Governance Team is comprised of Superintendent Dr. Philip Brown and a five-member Board of Education.

The members of the Board of Education each present a district within the school system’s zoned area and are elected to four-year terms.

Pictured, left to right, Dr. Brown, Mr. Ricky Sanders, Ms. Melissa Mullen, Mr. Beau Hollett, Ms. Lynne Massey-Wheeler and Mr. Rob Johnson.

Jackson County BOE Earns Exemplary Board Honors For Second Straight Year he Jackson County Board of T Education has been named an Exemplary Board by the Georgia School Boards Association, the organization announced in October. The honor marks the second-consecutive year the Jackson County BOE has been named an Exemplary Board.

The Exemplary Honor is the highest recognition bestowed upon a Board of Education by the GSBA, and shows a Board of Education's commitment to Annual Report | 3

continuous improvement, transparency and collaboration, all of which play an integral role in enhancing educational opportunities for every student within the system. The GSBA honors school boards that demonstrate strong governance, helping to foster a positive educational culture and experience that supports student-centered learning and achievement.

The Jackson County Board of

Education has approved the construction and opening of two new schools within the system in the past two years; Legacy Knoll Middle School opened in August 2023, and Heroes Elementary School opened in August 2024. This was accomplished without incurring any new debt to the citizens of Jackson County, while also lowering the system's millage rate to its lowest rate in over 20 years. www.jacksonschoolsga.org

OUR STAFF

BY THE NUMBERS

WORKPLACE

1,513 Full-time staff members 962 certified staff 561 classified staff 821 classroom teachers 70% of staff members hold a master’s degree or higher!

665 staff members have 8 or more years of teaching experience!

eMPLOYEES WANT TO work in jackson county ollowing the administration F of a third-party anonymous survey which gauged the culture and climate of organizations, the Jackson County School System was named a Top Workplace for large employers by the Atlanta Journalwww.jacksonschoolsga.org

Constitution in June of 2024.

Additionally, the Jackson County School System was named an Education Industry Top Workplace 2024.

In March 2025, the Jackson County School System was named a USA Today Top Workplace, recognizing the

organization’s commitment to ensuring faculty and staff throughout the system feel appreciated and recognized for their steadfast commitment to ensuring students are provided ample opportunities to succeed within the Jackson County School System.

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CLASS OF 2 25 The Class of 2025 was accepted into the following colleges and universities, in addition to seniors entering the U.S. Military in the branches of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, u.s. cOAST gUARD, U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy.

The Class of 2025 at East Jackson High School and Jackson County High School combined to receive over $12.452 million in college scholarships.

Abraham baldwin agricultural college Albany State University American Career College Andrew College Athens Technical College Auburn university Augusta University Berry College Brenau University Centre College Coastal college college of charleston college of coastal georgia columbus college of art & design columbus state university covenant college Dallas college duke university east georgia state college Emmanuel College emory university GA College & State University GA Gwinnett College ga highlands college GA Institute of Technology ga military college GA Southern University GA State University

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Gwinnett Technical College John Hopkins University Kennesaw State University keune academy Lagrange college Lanier Technical College lees-mcrae college Mercer University middle georgia university middle tennessee state university north georgia technical college north greenville university oglethorpe university Piedmont University point university regis college rutgers camden school of engineering savannah technical college south georgia state college toccoa falls college truett mcconnell university University of Georgia University of North Georgia university of rhode island university of west georgia University of wisconsin Valdosta State University Young Harris College

www.jacksonschoolsga.org

East Jackson High School’s Cross Country team won the 2024 Class AA State Championship.

The Jackson County School System is the fastest growing school system in the Georgia. With a student enrollment over 11,100 students heading into the 2025-26 school year, JCSS’ student population has grown by more than 40 percent since 2019.

CTAE & DUAL ENROLLMENT

OUR STUDENTS & DEMOGRAPHICS 10,685 Students Enrolled 1,589 Gifted 1,079 English Learners 1,854 Special Needs

22% Hispanic 59% White 9.5% Black

5% Multiracial 3.7% Pacific Islander, Asian, American Indian

FY26 TENTATIVE BUDGET $161,739,099 Total Revenue $13,806 Per Pupil Expenditure

$162,921,014 Operating Budget 15.395 Millage Rate

*Tentative budget; final budget will be approved in fall

TRANSPORTATION & SCHOOL BUSES 1,719,000 Total Miles Driven In A Year 9,550 Average Daily Miles 157 Average Daily Number Of Routes Provided 12,161 Students Transported Daily 164 Number Of Buses In JCSS Fleet

SCHOOL FOOD NUTRITION Approximately 1.66 Million Meals Served In 2024-25 9,381 Meals Served Daily 3,238 Served Daily At Breakfast 6,143 Lunches Served Daily 99.6 average kitchen health score

The Jackson County School System is committed to building partnerships with community members and organizations. During the 2024-25 school year, JCSS faculty and staff donated over $12,000 to the United Way of Northeast Georgia.

www.jacksonschoolsga.org

60 CTAE courses offered 5,350 courses taken at high school level 2,411 high school students took at least 1 CTAE course 1,864 students took a CTAE course at Empower College & Career Center 213 students enrolled in dual enrollment courses 9 CTAE Pathways are Industry Certified

JCSS SCHOOLS & FEEDERS 7 Elementary Schools 3 Middle Schools 2 High Schools 1 College & Career Academy East Jackson High School East Jackson Middle School East Jackson Elementary School Maysville Elementary School South Jackson Elementary School Jackson County High School Legacy Knoll Middle School Heroes Elementary School North Jackson Elementary School West Jackson Middle School Gum Springs Elementary School West Jackson Elementary School *Both high schools utilize the Empower College & Career Center

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A

new set of schools is coming to Jackson County following the successful passing of a General Obligation Bond and the renewal of the Education Special Local Option Sales Tax in March of 2025. Both were passed with overwhelming support at over 75 percent.

With the funding secured, the Board of Education was able to move forward with

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plans to build a new elementary, middle and high school on the system’s newest property in Hoschton.

The property, which sits on the corner of Georgia Highway 332 and Boone Road, was purchased in January 2024.

The 108 1/2-acre property will accommodate the three new schools and have multiple entrance and exit routes available to ease traffic.

Hayes Elementary School and Hoschton High School will open in August 2027, with Sell’s Mill Middle School set to open in August 2028. The three new schools will introduce a new mascot to the Jackson County community, as Hoschton High School is set to become the third high school inside the Jackson County School System. The property will feature all three schools on a campus-like setting.

www.jacksonschoolsga.org

Among the shared spaces on the campus will be the athletic fields.

The campus will include a varsity athletic stadium at Hoschton High School, a football practice field on the backside of the field house, a band practice field, a turfed middle school athletic field, a softball stadium and baseball stadium.

Unlike the system’s newest school, Heroes Elementary School, which opened its doors for students in August 2024, Hayes Elementary will feature two stories of space, compared to Heroes’ three stories.

www.jacksonschoolsga.org

The design of the building will be similar to Heroes’. The same is for Sell’s Mill Middle School, which will be similar in design to Legacy Knoll Middle School, which opened in August 2023.

Hoschton High School will embody characteristics from both East Jackson High School and Jackson County High School. HHS will feature a second-story cafeteria, like EJHS, and a large student and staff parking lot on the rear of the building. Hoschton High School will be a U-shaped building, featuring a courtyard in the middle of the campus that can be utilized by students.

The school will feature a performing arts auditorium on end of the U-shape and the gymnasium on the other end.

Both will overlook the athletic stadium, which will be on ground level of the school.

Inside the stadium, extra space will be made to accommodate younger fans attending athletic events, allowing a safe place to place away from the standard bleacher area. As construction continues on the new schools, system leaders are continuously monitoring the growth taking place inside Jackson County, one of the fastest growing counties inside the U.S.

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7 PERCENT INCREASE OF 4TH GRADE STUDENTS EARNING PROFICIENT OR HIGHER ON ELA GEORGIA MILESTONES EXAM SINCE 2022 10 PERCENT INCREASE OF 5TH GRADE STUDENTS EARNING PROFICIENT OR HIGHER ON MATH GEORGIA MILESTONES EXAM SINCE 2022 9 PERCENT INCREASE OF 5TH GRADE STUDENTS EARNING PROFICIENT OR HIGHER ON ELA GEORGIA MILESTONES EXAM SINCE 2022 4 PERCENT INCREASE OF 3RD GRADE STUDENTS EARNING PROFICIENT OR HIGHER ON READING GEORGIA MILESTONES EXAM IN 2024-25 7 PERCENT POINT INCREASE IN 5TH GRADE SCIENCE ON GEORGIA MILESTONES EXAM IN 2024-25 8 PERCENT INCREASE IN 8TH GRADE PHYSCIAL SCIENCE MILESTONES EXAM IN 2024-25 7 PERCENT INCREASE IN 8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES MILESTONES EXAM IN 2024-25

ALL SCHOOLS INCREASED IN CONTENT MASTERY FROM 2022-24 ELEMENTARY — 67.5 (2022), 73.9 (2024) MIDDLE — 65.2 (2022), 70.3 (2024) HIGH — 71.2 (2022), 76.1 (2024) 11 PERCENT INCREASE IN STUDENTS EARNING CREDIT FOR ACCELERATED ENROLLMENT THROUGH DUAL ENROLLMENT, ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAURETE 19 PERCENT INCREASE IN STUDENTS TAKING ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS IN 2024-25 5 PERCENT POINT INCREASE OF STUDENTS TAKING ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS SINCE 2021 16 PERCENT POINT INCREASE IN STUDENTS EARNING AT LEAST A 3 ON AP EXAMS SINCE 2022 83 PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPLETED A PATHWAY PROGRAM IN 2024-25

Work - Based Learning Community Impact 2025

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EMPOWER COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER he Empower College and Career Center is a career academy that T serves students from both East Jackson High School and Jackson County High School by offering a multitude of Career Technical Agricultural Education (CTAE) course offerings.

These courses range from JROTC, agriculture, healthcare, construction, business and more. Through these courses, Empower served over 1,800 students from both high schools during the 2024-25 school year with 75-minute block courses. Students combined to take 5,350 CTAE courses.

Empower is home to the award-winning Jackson-Empower FFA, which was recognized as a Gold Emblem chapter this past year, the highest honor a chapter can receive. The Jackson-Empower FFA is also the largest state chapter in the state of Georgia.

Seven CTAE Pathways at Empower, and one at each of the base schools, have received Industry Certification, to include: Animal Science/Veterinary Science, Agriculture Mechanics/Metal Fabrication, Horticulture/Plant Science, Audio-Video Technology Film & Communication, Business Management and Administration, Construction, and Healthcare Science.

Empower saw the addition of the new graphic arts pathway during the 2024-25 school year with the completion of a new graphics arts lab.

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, Empower will now offer an automotive pathway by utilizing the school’s brand-new, state-of-the-art three-bay automotive lab. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/empower

Dr. Meri Blackburn Chief Operating Officer

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EAST JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL ast Jackson High School is the pride of the East Side, home to over E 1,400 students in eighth through 12th grade located off Hoods Mill Road

Dr. Matt Stratemeyer Principal

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in Commerce. Less than a year after being named a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Beacon School, East Jackson was elevated to a Lighthouse School distinction, the highest honor bestowed upon a school by the organization. East Jackson was also named to the U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best High Schools in 2024, a National BETA School of Distinction, a 2025 SSTAGE Rising Star recipient, a Georgia Department of Education Military Flagship School and a 2025 GaDOE Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School in Humanities, Humanities Achievement, STEM and STEM Achievement.

East Jackson’s choral program had a fantastic year. The Eagles performed in an international competition in Spain over spring break, claiming first place in their division. The overseas trip came on the heels of East Jackson having 21 students named to All-State Chorus, the most of any public high school in the state of Georgia.

East Jackson experienced a highly productive athletic year that featured the school’s third-ever state championship when the boys cross country team won the GHSA Class AA state championship. Other highlights included the volleyball team advancing to the Elite 8, football qualifying for the playoffs for the second time in three years, wrestling and dance posting top 10 finishes in state, and baseball, tennis and girls soccer all qualifying for the state playoffs. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/ejhs www.ejeaglesathletics.com

JACKSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ackson County High School boasted a score of 80.9 in content J mastery in the latest CCRPI data released by the Georgia Department of Education, one of the highest in school-history. The release of the testing data is yet another example of the momentum taking place inside Jackson County High School under the direction of principal Melissa Gillespie. During the 2024-25 school year, the Panthers were also named to the U.S. News and World Report’s List of Best High Schools, a 2025 AP Honor School with Distinction, AP STEM School and AP Expansion School by the Georgia Department of Education.

Jackson County also completed its rigorous recertification for its International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which provides students with a high-quality, challenging and international education. Jackson County is one of just 36 high schools in the state that offers the IB program.

Jackson County saw its marching band win two grand championships during competition season this past fall. Athletically, Jackson County saw its first-ever student-athlete win an individual state championship in diving when freshman Alyssa Pace won the Class AAAAA 1-meter championship. The Panthers also saw 9 teams win region or area championships during the 2024-25 school year, while the varsity football team hosted its first-ever state playoff game in the program’s 40-plus year history.

Jackson County High School is one of the fastest growing high schools in the nation and will feature over 2,300 students in 2025-26. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/jchs www.jcpantherathletics.com

Melissa Gillespie Principal

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EAST JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Ch Star apter 2

ast Jackson Middle School is a sixth and seventh grade facility E housed off Old Hoods Mill Road in Commerce.

Johnathan Harris Principal

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EJMS offers students a multitude of clubs, organizations and athletic offerings. East Jackson Middle was named a 2023-24 National BETA School of Merit and Distinction, recognizing the school’s commitment to BETA access and involvement by students.

The East Jackson Middle FFA program won several awards throughout the 2024-25 school year, including the state championship in for Floriculture CDE. The chapter was also named a 2024 Gold Emblem Chapter.

Athletically, EJMS competes in the Pac X league, going head-tohead with local area middle schools from Jackson, Banks, Barrow and Social Circle. East Jackson Middle claimed the league championship titles in girls and boys cross country and track and field, and finished runner up in boys tennis and volleyball.

East Jackson Middle School was also recognized for its outstanding commitment to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and was recognized with the MTSS Star Award by the Student Support Team Association for Georgia Educators (SSTAGE).

East Jackson Middle School is seeing multiple renovations taking place on its campus. The school is seeing new flooring installed, new light fixtures and paint throughout the building. Additionally, EJMS will now utilize a new turf playing field and stadium, set to open in 2025. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/ejms www.ejeaglesathletics.com

LEGACY KNOLL MIDDLE SCHOOL math Leader egacy Knoll Middle School is located in the heart of the now threeL school campus in Hoschton, nestled in between Jackson County High School and Heroes Elementary School. Legacy Knoll Middle School recently completed its second year, after opening in August 2023.

Legacy Knoll Middle School continues to see increased success throughout all areas. During the 2024-25 school year, Legacy Knoll was named a Math Leader School by the Georgia Department of Education, based upon the school’s performance on the mathematics milestones from the previous school year.

Legacy Knoll continued upon its traditions established in year one, to include the 8th grade trip to Savannah and Washington D.C. and the Mummy and Me Dance, and added new community engagement opportunities, like the a historic car show on its campus.

LKMS competes in the Pac X middle school athletic league. The LKMS and West Jackson Middle School combined football team in 2024 won the league championship, the third straight league championship. Legacy Knoll also finished runner-up in boys basketball, and posted a top three finish in baseball. The combined tennis team with West Jackson Middle School won the Pac X championship this past spring.

Students at LKMS have the opportunity to participate in over 12 clubs and organizations and 16 athletic teams. LKMS serves students from North Jackson Elementary and Heroes Elementary and feeds into Jackson County High School. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/lkms www.jcpantherathletics.com

Dr. Miriam Ledford-Lyle Principal

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WEST JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL literacy & math Leader

est Jackson Middle School became the fourth Jackson County W school to be named a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse

Lucie Ausburn Principal

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School when it earned the honor in March of 2025. The Lighthouse distinction is the highest honor bestowed upon a school by the Blue Ribbon organization, an honor a school holds for five years.

West Jackson Middle School saw continued success under first-year principal Lucie Ausburn. The school was named to the U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Middle Schools and was named a Literacy and Math Leader by the Georgia Department of Education.

Athletically, West Jackson Middle School dominated the competition in the Pac X league by winning 12 championships, including six in the spring season. WJMS also finished runner-up in four sports this past competition season.

For the second-consecutive year, West Jackson Middle School was also the only school in the district to have two students earn an invitation to the state competition in the Bus Safety Poster Contest.

Additionally, students at West Jackson Middle School can participate in a multitude of clubs and organizations, including band, chorus, art, Academic Quiz Bowl, FCCLA, FFA, First LEGO League Robotics, Student Council, TOME Society and the WJMS Pro Wrestling Club.

Academically, students at West Jackson Middle School have a widerange of connections courses to choose from, including agriculture, art, band, chorus, yearbook, ESOL, family and consumer science, physical education, Read 180, robotics and Spanish. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/wjms www.jcpantherathletics.com

EAST JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Math Leader ast Jackson Elementary School was the first school inside Jackson E County to be named a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse School, earning the honor in 2023. As part of the distinction, East Jackson’s leadership presented at the national conference in Orlando, speaking on the school’s commitment to community and family engagement.

In addition to being named to the to the U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Elementary Schools, East Jackson Elementary was named a Math Leader by the Georgia Department of Education for its Milestones scores following the 2023-24 school year. EJES was also awarded a Rising Star Award for the third time by the Student Support Team Association of Georgia Educators (SSTAGE) for its continued commitment to effective processes and practices in Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS). East Jackson Elementary School was named a National BETA School of Merit, which is awarded to honor a club’s dedication and commitment to academic excellence. To receive the honor, a school must include members from all eligible grade levels to be a member of the BETA Club. Only 49 percent of BETA chapters in the nation earn the honor.

East Jackson Elementary School boasts a large attendance at multiple family and community engagement events, including the East Side Festival, hosted in collaboration with all schools on the county’s east side. East Jackson Elementary School feeds into East Jackson Middle School and East Jackson High School. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/ejes

Allyson Pennington Principal

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GUM SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL International qualifier

PBIS Distinguished school

Club of Honor

um Springs Elementary School earned a multitude of honors G throughout the 2024-25 school year, and saw one of its team compete in

Joshua Todd Principal

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an international competition. The Gum Springs Gizmos, the school’s First Lego League robotics team, finished inside the top six of the state competition and earned an invitation to the Waffle Competition in Worcester, Mass., an event that drew the likes of over 80 domestic teams and over 20 international teams. The robotics team’s success was one of many milestones for GSES, which also saw its TOME Society team finish in second place at the state competition, and its Science Olympiad team compete in the state tournament.

Along with being named a National BETA School of Merit, Gum Springs Elementary was along recognized as a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Distinguished School by the Georgia Department of Education, recognizing the school’s commitment to PBIS best-practices.

GSES was also one of just 10 schools in the region of the United States to be recognized as a K-Kids Club of Honor by the National Kiwanis Club. The school earned the honor for its community service projects that directly impacted the local community In the spring of 2025, Gum Springs Elementary began the installation of a sensory garden on its campus.

Gum Springs Elementary School feeds directly into West Jackson Middle School and Jackson County High School. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/gses

HEROES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Club of Honor

ollowing its August 2024 ribbon cutting, Heroes Elementary F School opened its doors to over 950 students to begin the school year. By the end of the year, HES had over 1,000 students in grades PreKindergarten through fifth grade, a clear indication of the fast-growing community the school serves.

Named to honor heroic careers, Heroes Elementary’s administration ensured they found ways to honor local heroes throughout the school.

One of those ways was having each grade level team, specials team and administration recognize a local hometown hero for the school year.

Photos of the local hometown heroes hung inside the school’s main corridor, near the 6-foot tall mannequins that feature the uniforms of the heroic careers. Heroes Elementary School was committed to providing ample opportunities for students to get involved with the school and local community. In addition to holding its first-ever leadership team, Heroes Elementary School took part in the First Lego League competition with the team earning a Robot Design Award. HES also competed in the Science Olympiad competition in the spring semester.

HES was one of just 10 schools in the region of the United States to be named a K-Kids Club of Honor by the National Kiwanis Club. HES earned the honor for its partnership for community service with iServe ministries, donating over 900 tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes for the Backpacks of Love program. HES also raised more than $2,300 for the March of Dime. Music teacher Stephanie Cleveland was also awarded a $7,000 grant by the College Football Hall of Fame, money she used to build a podcast recording studio within the school. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/hes

Kristi Holloway Principal

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MAYSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PBIS Distinguished school

Reward school

aysville Elementary School capped off a productive 2024-25 school M year that was filled with multiple honors.

Dr. Katie Warwick Principal

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MES was named a Title 1 Reward School by the Georgia Department of Education, after being inside the top five percent of Title 1 schools in the state for making the most progress in improving the performance of the all-students group over the most recent two years on statewide assessments. Additionally, Maysville Elementary School was named a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) school by GaDoe, recognizing the school’s commitment to its PBIS best-practices.

Maysville also was named a National BETA School of Merit, becoming one of the first elementary school’s in the system to earn the honor that recognizes a commitment to providing BETA to all students.

Maysville Elementary School was named a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse School during the 2023-24 school year and continued its work with the program during the 2024-25 school year.

Additionally, Maysville Elementary completed its first year utilizing the Leader in Me Grant, which teaches leadership lessons to staff and students. The school features a new playground that was relocated with new equipment, along with a new outdoor cabana that can be utilized as an external classroom in the school’s garden.

Maysville Elementary School, along with East Jackson Elementary School and South Jackson Elementary School, feeds into East Jackson Middle School and then East Jackson High School. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/mes

NORTH JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Reward school

orth Jackson Elementary School is one of the most diverse schools N in the state, with over 25 native languages and countries represented in its student body. North Jackson serves the Talmo and Pendergrass communities with a Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth grade curriculum.

Principal Troy Johnson describes the school as a little school with a big heart.

North Jackson Elementary was one of two elementary schools inside Jackson County to be named a Title 1 Reward School by the Georgia Department of Education, recognizing the school for being inside the top five percent of Title 1 schools for making the most progress in improving the performance of the all-students group over the most recent two years on statewide assessments.

NJES hosts International Family Night, Kindergarten Kickoff, AllPro Dads, Grandparents’ Week, NJES Loves Reading Campaign, Holiday Reading Night, Fall Festival, Goodies with Guardians and the Reindeer Run 5K and Fun Run. The students at NJES had additional opportunities to get involved within the school community. A year after establishing a new Kindness Crew and its first-ever Science Olympiad Team, North Jackson Elementary started a BETA Club, which is available for students in fourth or fifth grade.

North Jackson Elementary School, along with Heroes Elementary School, feeds into Legacy Knoll Middle School and then Jackson County High School. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/njes

Troy Johnson Principal

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SOUTH JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

outh Jackson Elementary School became the fifth school inside S Jackson County to be named a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence

Amy Adams Principal

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Lighthouse School, earning the honor in June of 2025. The Lighthouse distinction is the highest honor bestowed upon a school by the Blue Ribbon organization, an honor a school holds for five years.

The school’s motto is Every Day Is A Great Day at SJ, and students and staff embody the spirit of its saying. Students at South Jackson Elementary have ample opportunities to get involved during and after the school day. As part of a initiative by the leadership team at SJES, all students have the ability to attend Eagle Experiences during in-school hours, compared to the normal after-school club meeting options. This offering affords all students the ability to participate in clubs outside of the classroom setting. Additionally, students at SJES may participate in Good News Club, Science Olympiad, LEGO League Robotics, Art Club, Fitness Club and the Great Day Gazette Newspaper club. The LEGO League Robotics team won a Robot Design Award and a Core Values Award during the competition season in the fall of 2024.

South Jackson Elementary was named a National BETA School of Merit, which is awarded to honor a club’s dedication and commitment to academic excellence. To receive the honor, a school must include members from all eligible grade levels to be a member of the BETA Club. Only 49 percent of BETA chapters in the nation earn the honor. South Jackson Elementary School, which features its own on-campus Orchard and nature trails, feeds into East Jackson Middle and High Schools. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/sjes

WEST JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

S

cience, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) is incorporated into all curriculum at West Jackson Elementary School, which is an official STEAM Certified School by the Georgia Department of Education.

As a leader in STEAM education, West Jackson Elementary School hosts schools from throughout the state that are interested in incorporating STEAM into its curriculum through WJES’ STEAM Showcase each spring.

West Jackson Elementary School joined East Jackson Elementary on the U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Elementary Schools 2025.

West Jackson Elementary School hosts an annual 9/11 ceremony, honoring the victims from terror attacks, while also recognizing local heroes. WJES also hosts an annual Veterans Day program that is widely attended by members of the community.

WJES, which is home to three live goats on its campus, is the fastest growing elementary school inside Jackson County. Despite having its student enrollment lowered with the opening of Heroes Elementary School, WJES saw its enrollment climb back over 1,100 students by the end of the school year, an indication of the rapidly growing area of Hoschton.

West Jackson Elementary School serves the greater Hoschton area and, along with Gum Springs Elementary School, feeds into West Jackson Middle School and Jackson County High School. www.jacksonschoolsga.org/njes

Lori King Principal

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