schools in Jackson (Pearl, Ridgeland, Brandon: crime, homes, best school)

[lkstiles]

I am really wanting a job desperately. What is the best school IN the Jackson School District as far as Elementary? Thanks for the help!

[SashaBlue]

Are you sure you want to teach in the Jackson Public Schools?? Have you done your research? I would suggest the Ridgeland or Madison school districts. I would even suggest checking into the private shools such as First Presbyterian and Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Even the Brandon-Flowood-Pearl school districts would be better than Jackson. Do your research and then get back to us.

[lkstiles]

Well I'm not going to be able to start teaching until a week after school has started. What is so bad about the Jackson school district? Is it just a really poor school? I teach early childhood... pre-k - 4th grade. Are the kids that bad?

[auntbee]

I have to agree with SashaBlue on this one. Stay away from Jackson. The city in general is dangerous. It isn't just the schools. I'm sure there are good kids in the schools, but getting to and from the school might be the most dangerous part.

[SashaBlue]

auntbee is right, Jackson is very dangerous. All children are wonderful -- white, black, poor, rich --- but unfortunately the parents are not. I would not even want to think about what type of homes these children come from who attend the Jackson Public School system. My heart goes out to them. The city is dangerous, especially around the schools. It's too bad that Jackson is so crime ridden that it chases away wonderful teachers like yourself to surrounding schools. Check up on the JPS system and get back to us.

[lkstiles]

Well I did get a job teaching 2nd grade. So I will be teaching in JPS. I am very excited. I ahve always been interested in teaching children that really need ME. These kids are in need of someone that will reach out to them. I am that kind of person. I can make good out of bad situation! I'm really excited about it! Thanks for the posts

[SashaBlue]

Originally Posted by lkstiles

Well I did get a job teaching 2nd grade. So I will be teaching in JPS. I am very excited. I ahve always been interested in teaching children that really need ME. These kids are in need of someone that will reach out to them. I am that kind of person. I can make good out of bad situation! I'm really excited about it! Thanks for the posts

That's wonderful! I wish you the best of everything!

[kjk24]

Yes, Jackson Public Schools are older and may not be updated as much as Madison or Brandon schools, however, I have taught for JPS and there are some benefits. I taught high school at Jim Hill which is in a bad part of town but I never ran into any problems and crime usually doesn't happen out there until after school lets out. JPS is the highest paying district in the Jackson area, you work a few more days per year but you also get more vacation time, and overall their spending budget is higher so they are able to give teachers more spending money and have been able to integrate technology into almost every classroom. From friends that have also taught in JPS, the elementaries are not that bad either. Just do your job and you will have no problems.
P.S. Madison and Rankin County schools are hard to get into. If that is your desire, keep applying because it is not impossible. But I think you will so fine in JPS too.