Jackson Central-Merry High School
Encyclopedia
Jackson Central-Merry High School (also known as Jackson Central High School or JCM) is a public four-year high school
located in Jackson, Tennessee
, USA
. Jackson Central-Merry was once the largest high school in West Tennessee
outside Memphis.
high school in Jackson. The former Jackson High became the new school's "west campus" and the former Merry High became the "east campus." The school initially taught students in grades 10, 11 and 12. Freshmen students were added after the Jackson city school system consolidated with the Madison County system in the early 1990s.
Three city junior high schools (now middle schools) originally fed into JCM: Tigrett Junior High School, Jackson Junior High School and Parkway Junior High School. The school mascot is the Cougar. School colors are green and gold.
In 2003, the west campus became Madison Academic Magnet High School
. Jackson Central-Merry was then entirely housed on the former east campus. Oman Arena
is located between both campuses.
Beginning in the 2010-11 school year, Jackson Central-Merry High School began offering a health science magnet school program. The program is intended to help incoming freshmen become certified in a healthcare related area upon the completion of high school.
The program curriculum focuses on advancing one of four fields of study:
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Jackson Central-Merry was once the largest high school in West Tennessee
West Tennessee
West Tennessee is one of the three Grand Divisions of the State of Tennessee. Of the three, it is the one that is most sharply defined geographically. Its boundaries are the Mississippi River on the west and the Tennessee River on the east...
outside Memphis.
History
The school was formed in 1970 as a consolidation of predominantly white Jackson High School and predominantly black Merry High School. It was the first integratedRacial integration
Racial integration, or simply integration includes desegregation . In addition to desegregation, integration includes goals such as leveling barriers to association, creating equal opportunity regardless of race, and the development of a culture that draws on diverse traditions, rather than merely...
high school in Jackson. The former Jackson High became the new school's "west campus" and the former Merry High became the "east campus." The school initially taught students in grades 10, 11 and 12. Freshmen students were added after the Jackson city school system consolidated with the Madison County system in the early 1990s.
Three city junior high schools (now middle schools) originally fed into JCM: Tigrett Junior High School, Jackson Junior High School and Parkway Junior High School. The school mascot is the Cougar. School colors are green and gold.
In 2003, the west campus became Madison Academic Magnet High School
Madison Academic Magnet High School
For schools with a similar name, see Madison High School.Madison Academic Magnet High School is a public high school in the Jackson Madison County School System located on Allen Avenue, in Jackson, Tennessee, replacing the former West Campus of Jackson Central-Merry High School. The school was...
. Jackson Central-Merry was then entirely housed on the former east campus. Oman Arena
Oman Arena
The Oman Arena is a 5,600-seat multi-purpose arena, in Jackson, Tennessee, USA. It was opened in 1967.The arena is located between the campuses of Madison Academic Magnet High School and Jackson Central-Merry High School, in central Jackson.In the 1980's, it was renamed in honor of the late Tury...
is located between both campuses.
Jackson Central-Merry Academy of Medical Technology Magnet High School
JCM was awarded the High School Redesign Grant, which provided $1.5 million over a three year period to create the Jackson Central-Merry Academy of Medical Technology Magnet High School program, which was completed in 2010.Beginning in the 2010-11 school year, Jackson Central-Merry High School began offering a health science magnet school program. The program is intended to help incoming freshmen become certified in a healthcare related area upon the completion of high school.
The program curriculum focuses on advancing one of four fields of study:
- Therapeutic Services (Certified in Nursing assistant)
- Diagnostic Services (Certified in phlebotomyPhlebotomyPhlebotomy is the process of making an incision in a vein.It is associated with the following concepts:* Venipuncture, the practice of collecting venous blood samples* The main practice of a phlebotomist, an individual trained to draw blood...
with clinical internship) - Health InformaticsHealth informatics.Health informatics is a discipline at the intersection of information science, computer science, and health care...
- BiotechnologyBiotechnologyBiotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
Research and Development
Athletics
The school's football program was one of the most prominent in West Tennessee. From 1976 to 1996 the team never had a losing season, while producing several Division I and professional players. The teams from both 1976 and 1979 finished second in the state tournament. The 1996 girls' basketball team won the state championship.Notable alumni
- Artis HicksArtis HicksArtis Hicks is an American football guard for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
— professional football player - Ed JonesEd Jones (American football)Ed Lee "Too Tall" Jones is a retired American football player in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. By the end of his 15 years with the Cowboys, he was officially credited with 57 quarterback sacks. Unofficially, his career sack total is 106...
— former professional football player - Van JonesVan JonesAnthony Kapel "Van" Jones is an American environmental advocate, civil rights activist, and attorney. Jones is a co-founder of three non-profit organizations. In 1996, he founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, a California non-governmental organization working for alternatives to violence...
— political activist, former Obama Administration staff member - Wesley PoeWesley PoeWesley Poe is a professional basketball player who plays for Nashville Broncs.Poe is originally from Jackson, Tennessee. He prepped at Jackson Central-Merry High School School where he was a member of the boys' basketball team from 1997-2001, and assisted the team to its first Sub-State appearance...
— professional basketball player - Al WilsonAl WilsonAldra Kauwa Wilson is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos 31st overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee....
— former professional football player - Jackie BeardJackie BeardJackie Beard is a former American amateur boxer, hailing from Jackson, Tennessee.-Amateur career:Beard was an amateur boxing standout in the late 1970s. He won the National AAU in the bantamweight division three times 1978, 1979, and 1980. He also won the bantamweight championship in the 1978...
— former U.S. national amateur bantamweight boxing champion (1978–80)