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EmpowerCollege&CareerCenter

Recognized for achieving the highest standards of excellence in its programming, operations, and community involvement

Recognized for its student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging standard and curriculum; active teaching and learning; technology and integration; professional community; leadership and education vitality

EmpowerNamedHeartSafeSchool

Recognized for Empower’s commitment and preparation to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency

Successful implementation of the sudden cardiac arrest emergency program

AutoLabHasSuccessfulFirstYear

Opened in Aug. 2025, the Empower Auto Lab provides students hands-on training Students can earn industry certifications Students complete oil changes, replace brakes, tires, transmissions

GumSpringsElementarySchool

Named a Literacy and Math Leader by the Georgia Department of Education following state testing conducted at the end of the 2024-25 school year

GSES also earned an A-rating by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement

DistinguishedatPBIS,yetagain!

GSES was named a PBIS Distinguished School by GaDoe for the second consecutive year Met all five data categories established by the GaDOE for the PBIS program

The GSES Gizmos are a Lego League First Robotics Team

The Gizmos qualified for state and competed in an international competition for the second straight summer

High proficiency levels in reading and math Students demonstrated high performance rates on their state assessments

JacksonCountyHighSchool

Recognized for its Advanced Placement offerings

JCHS was named an AP School of Distinction, AP STEM and AP STEM Achievement School

Recognizedwith2024-25CollegeSuccess Award

High graduation rates and strong college entrance exam results

High percentage of graduates going on to high education institutions

Bailey finished the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.40 seconds, setting the fastest mark in the nation

Also placed first in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 42.72 seconds

Panthers finished the season 11-2, winning the school’s first-ever Region 8-AAAAA championship Panthers earned their first-ever playoff win with a 50-7 win over Glynn Academy. The Panthers then defeated two-time state champion Milton 24-19

LegacyKnollMiddleSchool

High proficiency and significant growth in reading and mathematics

Year-over-year increases in mathematics

This marks the second straight year LKMS earned such honors

Recognizes outstanding media specialists who go above and beyond for students

Barber serves as media specialist, social media manager, communications and yearbook advisor

Following three years of a combined football team with WJMS, the LKMS Panthers will host their own football team in 2026

The team held its first-ever spring game in May

As part of the school’s culture of recognizing student accomplishments, record walls were placed throughout the school

Records include athletics, performing arts and CTAE

MaysvilleElementarySchool

High proficiency ratings in math and reading

High performance ratings on state assesments

High attendance rates Recognized for third-grade growth and fifth-grade gateway growth Demonstrates substantial improvement in the number of students scoring proficient or higher on Georgia Milestones assessments

MES was named a PBIS Distinguished School by GaDOE for the second consecutive year Met all 6 data-driven outcome measures

Named a Beta School of Merit for the second consecutive year Includes all eligible grade levels in their Beta Club

NorthJacksonElementarySchool

NJES was named a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) School by the Georgia Department of Education

Met all five data categories set forth by GaDOE

High proficiency in math and reading

High attendance rates

High rankings on state assesments

A5-starClimateRatingOnCCRPI

Indicates a school provides an excellent, safe, and supportive learning environment

Awarded by the GaDOE, this is the highest rating achievable, measured by discipline rates, attendance, safety records, and survey feedback from students, teachers, and parents

North Jackson earned the School of Merit honor in its first-year of ever sponsoring a BETA Club

Organized a toy drive and created care packages for kids

SouthJacksonElementarySchool

High Performance on math and reading state assessments

High satisfaction ratings from parents and students

High proficiency ratings in math and reading

Met all five data categories set forth by GaDOE Built positive environments where relationships matter, expectations are clear, and learning is the priority

Named in honor of Emily Dantzler, a former

SJES educator who passed away from cancer

Awarded in February 2026 to Stacey Blagg to incorporate podcasting to support literacy

WestJacksonElementarySchool

NamedGaDoeLiteracyLeader

Demonstrates substantial improvement in the number of students scoring proficient or higher on Georgia Milestones assessments

WJESEstablishesBetaClub

High student proficiency and performance in reading and mathematics

High performance ratings on state assessments

John W. Harris Leadership Award Winner by National Beta

West Jackson Elementary is one of just five elementary schools throughout the nation, and the only elementary school in the state, to earn the leadership award

Teresa Swaim was named the state of Georgia’s Public Pre-K Teacher of the Year Swaim has served as a Pre-K Teacher at WJES since 2012

WestJacksonMiddleSchool

West Jackson Middle School was recognized as a Math Leader following testing data from the 2024-25 year

WJMS was recognized for its 8 grade math achievement th

WestMiddleRecognizedAsOneof Nation’sBestMiddleSchools

WJMS was to the U.S. News and World Report’s List of Best Middle Schools in October 2025

The list features the top 23,328 middle schools from throughout the nation

WJMS was named a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) School by the Georgia Department of Education

This recognizes the school’s commitment to all five data categories set forth by GaDoe

The Panthers continued to dominate the PAX XI league, winning 10 championships

The titles were won in volleyball, girls cross country, softball, boys basketball, track and field, baseball, boys and girls tennis, and boys and girls soccer

JacksonC

Launched in May 2025, the JCSS Foundation has raised over $130,000 to enhance the educational experience

The Foundation sponsors 14 staff grants and 15 student scholarships each year

District leaders were recognized on Georgia Reads Day at the State Capitol in March JCSS received the money to support literacy initiatives throughout the system

JCSSReceives$73,000FromZeeZees

Through the Grab The Tab Program, Zee Zees officially donated a check worth $73,000 to the Jackson County School System in April The check is part of a grant that wiped away student meal debt

The Jackson County Board of Education approved additions to East Jackson Elementary School and East Jackson Middle School in May 2026 New additions will add classroom space to both schools and will open in Aug. 2027

jcss pEOPLE OF THE yEAR

2025-26 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

KRISTIN BUTKOVICH (JCSS TEACHER OF THE YEAR), PAMELA RICHARDSON, KRISSY LANDERS, KELLY MCABEE, GAY CHANDLER, SHERI JACKSON, SCOTT MCCALL, MICHELLE KUBIAK, STEPHANIE HARRISON, CORTNEY CAMPBELL, BUCKY SORROW, BROOKE CURTIS, JOSHUA DARNELL

2025-26 SUPPORT PERSONS OF THE YEAR

HALEY MEIER (JCSS SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR), KARA MAWDESLEY, JODI SEARS, AUDILY NUNEZ, BRITTANY PEEVY, SCOTT BESS, PATRICIA GERALD, JOANNA BOST, MEGAN MCCOY, SUSAN MCDANIEL, LAUREN KEMP, APRIL BAGWELL, REBECCA WARREN, ANGELA BROOKS 2025-26 BUS DRIVERS OF THE YEAR

RHONDA COLLINS (JCSS DRIVER OF THE YEAR), SCOTT BECK, BRENDA NEAL