Mar 24th, 2015
On Monday, March 23, Dr. Verna Ruffin, Superintendent of Jackson-Madison County School System, held a formal press conference detailing plans for Early College High School. A committee of district staff, parents and community leaders has worked diligently over the past several months to put together a plan that will benefit the students of the Jackson-Madison County School System, as well as, serve as a platform for moving the district forward in growth and achievement. Partnering with the Jackson-Madison County School System are Jackson State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Jackson.
The location of Early College High School for this inaugural year, will be in North Side High School. North Side High School Principal, Jason Bridgeman will serve as administrator for both schools with the assistance of an Academic Coordinator and College and Career Counselor to be named in the coming weeks. In the inaugural school year of 2015/2016, Early College High will open with approximately 125 freshmen and will add approximately 125 additional students in each subsequent school year.
By establishing Early College High, the Jackson-Madison County School System is providing all students a unique approach to learning by blending and accelerating high school, work force and college preparedness. Early College High is a college preparatory high school designed to prepare students for college or workforce readiness by offering multiple pathways, rigorous curricula, strategic guidance, and academic support.
Early College High School will be available to students by application only. An informational meeting for parents and students has been scheduled for Thursday, March 26th, at 6:30 p.m. at Jackson State Community College in the Ayers Auditorium. Applications will be available at this meeting as well as an online application will be made available and can be found at www.jmcss.org . The deadline for students to apply for Early College High School is Wednesday, April 15, 2015 by 4:30 p.m. to the School Service Center located at 310 North Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305. Once students have completed all the requirements of the application process, applications will be reviewed and students notified if they have been granted an interview. Not all those who apply will be granted interviews. Additional requirements of acceptance to Early College High School include participation of parents and students in an orientation program and a Summer Academy that will take place in July 2015.