At Jackson School, we empower every student to reach their full potential by living out the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate through the lens of Leader in Me. We create a culture where students develop leadership, responsibility, and the world-class skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in a safe and nurturing environment. Our mission is to prepare leaders who make a positive difference in their communities, beginning within their own school.
Our 2024–2025 theme, “Jackson Leaders Are Out of This World!”, launched a year of leadership and connection. In the spirit of Habit 1: Be Proactive, we began the year building relationships and setting a strong foundation for a positive school climate. We welcomed Ms. Melinda Johnson and Ms. Harriet Boykin-Garity as new administrators, modeling Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind by casting a clear vision for success.
We created opportunities to partner with families from the start through Popsicles with the Principal, Meet the Teacher Night, and Grade Level Orientation Nights, emphasizing our commitment to Habit 6: Synergize. Throughout the year, we deepened family involvement with events like our STEM Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat and Winter Literacy Night, which showcased student learning and creativity.
To highlight leadership and academic progress, we hosted Portfolios and Pastries and Leadership Day, where students proudly shared their goals and growth. These events reflected Habit 3: Put First Things First and Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw, celebrating well-rounded development and achievement.
Additional family engagement activities such as Grits with Grandparents and Veterans Day helped strengthen our sense of community. Our PTO supported many of these efforts and hosted memorable events like the Daddy/Daughter Sneaker Ball and Mother-Son Bingo Night, reinforcing Habit 4: Think Win-Win through collaboration and partnership.
Academically, we embraced continuous improvement. Using Mastery Connect, teachers analyzed formative and summative data to provide targeted interventions and enrichments, aligning with Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood by meeting the individual needs of every learner.
Collaboration and goal-setting remain vital to our work. Our teachers engage in ongoing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to share best practices, reflect on progress, and drive student achievement—exemplifying the leadership model at the heart of Leader in Me.
We also provided platforms for student voice and creativity through student leadership roles, clubs, music, and art integration. These programs not only cultivate cognitive and creative skills but also allow students to lead with purpose, initiative, and confidence.
Beyond our school walls, we maintain open and effective communication with families and community partners. As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School for 13 years, we are deeply committed to living the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and instilling leadership, character, and a growth mindset in all students.
As stated in our vision, we are building a generation of positive leaders and community builders. With goal-setting, reflection, and a proactive mindset, Jackson School students, staff, and families are on a path to academic excellence and lifelong success.
Melinda Johnson - Principal
Donetta Bracey - SIC Committee Chair
