DECEMBER 15 ISSUE
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 17
*PK Christmas Program
*Kindergarten Christmas Program

December 21-January 1
*Christmas Holidays
FACULTY ART SHOW
A Faculty Art Show is scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 13 in the lobby of the PAC. The work will be on display for two weeks. Please mark your calendar now and look for more information to follow in January.
Major Events Calendar
THE CLARION-LEDGER TOP PERFORMERS

Congratulations to Lauran Sheriff for being named a top performer for scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds in the basketball game against MRA.


Micah Morgan earned the title of top performer for scoring a season-high 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block during the 64-27 win over Pillow Academy.


Congrats also goes to Walker Benner for being named a soccer top performer for scoring four goals in four wins over Richland, St. Joseph, MRA, and Copiah to help JA remain undefeated this season.
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 TEST SCORES
TRENDING UP

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.

While scores are showing an uptick, counselors are quick to point out that the ACT score is just one indication of college readiness. "JA is on the leading edge of preparing students for college success," said Amy Bush, JA college counselor. "Our students are prepared for college and are successful in college." The school engages students in early college and career awareness, helps students set high aspirations, and ensures that they plan a rigorous Upper School course load.

Counselor and Coordinator of Student Services Paula Pratt said three factors play into students' testing success: their regular classroom course of study; workshops and classes designed for ACT preparation; and JA serving as an ACT testing site.

"Preparation for college admissions testing starts in the classroom," said Pratt. "What occurs every day in the classroom is key to students reaching college readiness benchmarks. At JA, regular classroom preparation has proven effective for preparing students." A college readiness benchmark is a score on each of the subsections (English, math, reading, and science) of the ACT that the ACT, Inc. uses as the minimum score that would predict college success in that area. JA also offers classes and workshops for students who wish to go beyond regular classroom study to advance their scores.

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BAND SHARES SOUNDS OF THE SEASON


JA's band held a Christmas concert at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral Thursday. Shorter Productions will create a DVD for purchase that will be placed in the JA store. For a preview, click here.

SERVICE CLUB COLLECTS GIFTS FOR
GIVING TREE PROGRAM



Over 200 young people will receive gifts this year through the Service Club's participation in the Giving Tree program. Giving Tree benefits students of City Church. Upper School students selected a card or two from the Giving Tree and bought gifts for the child the card represented. Each adopted child got a pair of shoes and two toys or gifts cards. Volunteers wrapped the gifts and placed them in bags for delivery to City Church.
CONTINUING THE TRADITION



JA students have long enjoyed time spent Fridays before school gathering at nearby Burger King for breakfast and Bible study. Coach Ronnie Rogers leads the weekly meetings.

LITTLE DRIBBLERS STEAL THE SHOW


The JA Little Dribblers performed Thursday night at halftime of the varsity girls basketball game. Developing ball handling skills and hand-eye coordination through this physical education activity is a great experience for second graders. It is always a treat for the audience.

There are 83 Little Dribblers this year. The next performance will be January 14 at halftime of the varsity girls game.
LITTLE HOUSE


View all the photos from the performance here.

Each year, JA third graders dress in American frontier style to present the annual Little House in the Big Woods program based on the book by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Students present poems, readings, square dances, songs, and skits they have learned while studying the book. 


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