Jackson High School recognized nationally

Jackson High School is among a handful nationwide to receive the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award.

To become one of the 11 schools to earn the award this year, at least 50 percent of its students had to earn the award based on their performance on the 2014 High Schools That Work Assessment. Winning schools also met the Adequate Yearly Progress criteria of the federal No Child Left Behind Act or had a graduation rate of at least 85 percent.

"I thought it was great," principal Vince Powell said of the recognition, which was conferred in July. "I thought it just shows how hard our staff, and our teachers and our students have been working. We have a lot of supports in place because we do have such a rigorous curriculum. We have to have supports in place to help those students achieve at that high level."

Powell said Jackson High School has been part of the High Schools That Work consortium for about 10 years. Campuses in the High Schools That Work group administer a test every other year to a random selection of seniors who have to meet college and career readiness goals in reading, math and science, Powell said.

Schools in the group also have to complete the High Schools That Work recommended curriculum in at least two of three main areas -- English, math and science. They also must have to have a concentration in a career and technical area, the humanities or math and science, Powell said.

Jackson High, made up of grades 10 through 12, has 1,150 to 1,180 students, he said.

What is High Schools That Work?

Part of the Southern Regional Education Board in Atlanta High Schools That Work is a school improvement design that focuses on career-technical education and holding students to high expectations, said Fran Cowart, SREB coordinator of assessment.

More than 500 schools participated in the assessment this year and only 11 won the gold award, with Jackson being one of those.

Overall, there are about 1,200 schools in the High Schools That Work consortium in 30 states and the District of Columbia, Cowart said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address: 315 S. Missouri St., Jackson