Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce 2020 | Page 26

jacksonville schools Investing in the future through JISD student programs 800 College Avenue, Jacksonville, TX 75766 Phone: 903-586-6511  www.jisd.org or on Facebook at “Jacksonville ISD” The local school district has a pre-K through 12th grade program that posted a 4,998 enrollment in Sept. 2019, the highest ever in district his- tory, according to school officials. Dr. Chad Kelly is superintendent of JISD schools, which has eight cam- puses: Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville Middle School, Nichols Intermediate, East Side Elementary, West Side Elementary, Fred Douglass Elementary, Joe Wright Elementary and the Compass Center. • All elementary campuses, along with higher grades, have been designated as No Excuses University campuses, focusing on preparing students for a college career. • The district’s elementary schools also boast a STEM initiative campus, dual language cam- pus, Applied Learning Community campus and G/T Passport Program • JISD’s intermediate school also is an Applied Learning Community campus, and offers an early band program (which is part of an overall band program that is presently the largest size in history, according to oficials), pre-athletics and the G/T Passport program. It is a “No Place for Hate” campus. • At the middle school, students have an opportunity to be part of the Student Council or the Jr. National Society, as well as athletics and multiple clubs and organizations. The school also takes part in the Character Counts program and offers Algebra I high school credit and AP credit for Spanish 1. • Jacksonville High School students are offered dual enrollment college courses, AP classes and professional certifications; they also may take part in Student Council and National Honor Society. The high school takes part in an OnRamps course offered by UT Austin, as well as offers vast career and tech programs and pathways. They also have a choice of music, athletics, art, dance and theater to take part in. • All students are invited to participate in UIL academic competitions, as well as be consid- ered for the Superintendent Advisory Council or the JISD Student Ambassadors, now in its fourth year. • The district also has completed two major projects funded by a $21 million bond pack- age: Increase the size of the high school’s CTE building and strengthening its program, and renovation of the historic Tomato Bowl, which was unveiled June 7 with a special concert by hometown artist Neal McCoy. www.jisd.org 26 Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce | 2020