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Jones County School District

Excellence in Academics, Arts, & Athletics

JCSD Academics

Students collaborate in a modern learning space, with a variety of activities.

The Jones County School District (JCSD) is consistently ranked among the top districts in Mississippi, currently holding an "A" rating from the Mississippi Department of Education. The academic culture is defined by a "K-through-College" philosophy, largely thanks to its close partnership with local community colleges and universities.

Core Academic Standards

The district follows the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards (MS CCRS), focusing on high proficiency in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA). The JCSD administrators and teachers ensure that curriculum, instruction, planning, and assessments are aligned to the current standards.

  • Graduation Rate: The district maintains a high graduation rate, consistently exceeding 90%.
  • Curriculum: The JCSD teachers have access to high quality instructional materials to ensure every student receives a quality education. 
  • State Testing: Students undergo annual assessments through the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) in grades 3–8 and end-of-course exams in Algebra I, Biology I, and English II. In addition, high school students are assessed through the American College Test (ACT) and ACT Workeys. 

Accelerated Pathways

For students looking to challenge themselves or earn college credit early, JCSD offers several "advanced" tracks:

  • Star Reach (Gifted Education): Between second and sixth grade the Star Reach Program provides differentiated instruction for intellectually gifted, focusing on critical thinking and creative problem-solving.
  • Advanced Placement (AP): All JCSD high schools offer a variety of AP courses (e.g., AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP U.S. History). These rigorous courses challenge students to experience college coursework, develop habits of mind that encourage learning at high levels, and support the development of life-long learners. At the end of course students will take an AP Exam, scores of 3 or higher typically translate to college credit at Mississippi universities.
  • Dual Enrollment: Through our partnership with various colleges and universities in the surrounding area, juniors and seniors can take college courses on their high school campus or online, allowing many students to graduate high school with a semester or more of college already completed.

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

The Jones County Career-Technical Center serves as a specialized hub for students from all JSCD high schools. It provides hands-on training in high-demand fields:

  • Health Sciences: Preparation for nursing, therapy, and medical technology.
  • Engineering & Robotics: Focusing on CAD design and mechanical systems.
  • Trades: Programs in Welding, Automotive Technology, and Construction.
  • Work-Based Learning: Seniors can participate in internships and apprenticeships with local businesses, often earning industry-recognized certifications before graduation.

Academic Support Systems

JCSD is committed to a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in effort to meet every student where they are in their academic journey. This model is designed to address student learning with quality classroom instruction and opportunities for intervention.  To ensure that the behavioral and academic needs of every student are met, our school district follows this instructional model which consists of three (3) tiers of instruction: 

  • Tier 1: Quality classroom instruction based on Mississippi standards. 
  • Tier 2: Focused supplemental instruction. 
  • Tier 3: Intensive interventions specifically designed to meet the 

              individual needs of students. 

 

If strategies at Tier 1 and 2 are unsuccessful, students must be referred to the Teacher Support Team (TST). The TST is the school team responsible for interventions developed at Tier 3. Each school must have a TST implemented according to the process developed by the Mississippi Department of Education.