Jackson Public Schools, located in Jackson, Michigan, is a preschool through 12th grade district which serves over 6,000 students in 2 high schools, 1 middle school, and 8 elementary schools. JPS employs approximately 450 teachers and 400 other employees to meet the needs of its students. Jackson Public Schools also provides comprehensive special education, alternative education, and adult education services.

Jackson Public Schools combines a rich tradition of academic excellence with the latest teaching techniques to set the standard for education in Jackson County. 

With the best resources, up-to-date technology, an experienced teaching staff, more grant-funded programs and an extensive support system, Jackson Public Schools offers our community the best educational opportunities in the area.

The Jackson Public Schools system “expects success” for each child who comes through its doors. JPS wants every student to have a sense of belonging, to feel safe, to learn, grow and thrive, both educationally and socially. 

When it comes to curriculum, no other county school district offers the depth, the breadth, the diversity or the quality at every level of the educational spectrum. Jackson Public Schools provides students with a real-life education for today’s world that includes a strong emphasis on the basics, an outstanding computer-to-student ratio, more opportunities than any other district in the area, and more multi-cultural experiences.

The exceptional curriculum offered by the Jackson Public Schools starts with pre-school opportunities that emphasize early child development and testing. Jackson Public Schools was one of the first districts in the area to offer a comprehensive all-day kindergarten. JPS’ elementary curriculum is designed to give students individual attention and challenges them with rich content and hands-on learning experiences. The elementary curriculum is exceptional and prepares students for math, reading, and writing assessment tests and the challenging JPS secondary curriculum. Elementary programs provide diversity with special literacy programs as well as special classrooms for gifted and talented students. The curriculum is prepared by teachers who are 100 percent certified and experienced and who truly care about the progress of every individual child.

Eight elementary schools located throughout city neighborhoods are classic, purpose-built buildings that provide our youngest students with a smaller, secure environment most conducive to learning. Rooms are large enough to provide ample area for children to move about and incorporate the various demands of the first-rate curriculum JPS provides. Up-to-date technology, including classroom computers and complete computer labs in each building offers the latest software to support and enhance the learning experience of every student. 

The Middle School at Parkside, with its highly recognizable domed field house and sprawling campus, is a resource rarely seen at a middle school. Originally built as a high school, the Middle School at Parkside provides advanced educational resources and opportunities for all students. First-class music facilities, multiple computer laboratories and other advanced facilities give seventh and eighth grade students educational opportunities not normally found at this level. Team teaching at the Middle School at Parkside provides transition from the smaller elementary school environment to the larger high school setting. Each grade is separated into four teams, and each team has its own set of teachers who teach core subjects as well as some electives. The middle school curriculum continues to place emphasis on core subjects such as world community, reading, math and sciences, but also provides diverse electives such as lifestyle education. The Middle School at Parkside music program is internationally recognized, and among the many electives students may choose to take in both seventh and eighth grades. 

Jackson High School is renowned for its diverse and challenging curriculum. As the largest high school in the county, Jackson High offers students more classes, programs and opportunities than any other high school in the area. Jackson High School is the school-of-choice for hundreds of students. The high school teaching staff provides dynamic and motivating experiences, such as nationally recognized foreign language programs, hands-on social studies classes, comprehensive music classes and varied art classes. Jackson High School students have the opportunity to earn college credits through the most advanced placement classes available in the county. Jackson High students set state marks in Economics AP tests. JHS also offers computerized library resources, more programs to fit individual needs and more extra-curricular and athletic opportunities than any school in the area.

Every office and classroom in the JPS district has Internet access, filtered to meet the requirements of CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act).

Jackson Public Schools is a leader in the national “No Child Left Behind” initiative.

Wilson Academy offers alternative study programs that provide for the special needs of a diverse student population.

JPS is also proud of its Special Education program offered by a talented group of teachers, psychologists, speech and language therapists and social workers.

Jackson Public Schools support personnel is unequalled.

The seven-member school board understands Jackson Public Schools’ role as a leader in the community and works hard to keep quality education a vital part of our neighborhoods. The Jackson community responded in 1999 by overwhelmingly approving a $24.9 million renovation for Jackson High School by a staggering 5-to-1 margin! The renovation preserved the architectural integrity and original beauty of our high school building and added a modern science wing that incorporates the latest technology into the classroom.

The success of Jackson Public Schools’ ever-evolving curriculum and attention to each and every student can be measured by standardized test scores. JPS has a history of increasingly successful scores in Michigan assessment testing and our college-bound students continue to post scores well above average in ever-important college entrance exams.

Keeping with the tradition of excellence, Jackson Public Schools is committed to achieving a high level of success. Jackson Public Schools is dedicated to providing every child served the very best educational opportunities available.