Jackson Elementary School

Jackson Elementary is changing. Starting in the Fall of '12 there will be a new principal, 50% new staff, and a new name - Jackson Achievement Academy. The district reports Jackson will become a Math and Music Magnate school which will span grades K-7 in '12-'13 and K-8 in '13-'14'. The notion has great promise, but thus far the specific details of a math and music academy curriculum have not been released. I am hoping that the district or school can mandate parent involvement. At present, there is a small handful of parents doing the work that should be distributed across many more people. Charter, the highest achieving school in the district, has a policy requiring time from every parent. Finally, all schools need to be re-empowered to handle discipline. A few very disruptive students seem to never face the full consequences of their actions. While expulsion may not be the best option for the troubled child, I submit it is the best option for the other 26 children in the class.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is doing very well at this school. The sense of community is strong and he has had wonderful dedicated teachers every year so far. For K-2 my son went to one of the most highly rated schools in Northern California, but I have found Jackson to be just as rigorous academically with a focus on critical thinking and enrichment that was lacking at the other elementary school he attended. Jackson offers after school enrichment classes, including yearbook and science. I know this school doesn't have the greatest test scores at this point in time, however the test scores do not reflect the quality of this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My 3 kids went to this school and loved it. We really liked the teachers and we helped out a lot in the classrooms. Unfortunately, I took 2 of my kids from here to go to Charter School thinking it would be better, and the kids were so sad to leave and leaving the school proved to be a bad choice. We really liked this school a lot! Lots of good activities and parent involvement!
--Submitted by a parent

Jackson lacks leadership!! Change must be made at the top. The environment at this school is toxic. If things do not change MHUSD will continue to see families leave this school and the district.
--Submitted by a parent

This year, Jackson school is in Program Improvement year 4 , heading straight into PI 5. Very little has been done at the School or the District level to help increase the API levels / the students educational results!. Jackson never even had a Site Plan writen for this school year, and has truly failed our EL students! The principal at Jackson has zero leadership abilty and frankly the parents don't trust him! Sham on you MHUSD for not having the kids best interest at heart and allowing that man to remain in his postion! Any school in PI 4, the principal should have recieved a 'Pink Slip!' Unfortunatly, I can only give the school two stars. Those stars go to the teachers, who truly try and the kids who a hurt by the lack of leadership!
--Submitted by a parent

Jackson is awesome. My children have attended this school since kinder and I have no complaints. Mr. Dudley is great and is passionate about his job. Great staff, teachers, awesome GATE program, and lots of activities for the children. We recently moved to the Nordstrom area but we have chosen to keep our children at Jackson--excellent all the way around!
--Submitted by a parent

The administration at this school is weak, and very negatively affects the quality of education the students receive. It also fails to address the needs of students in terms of physical and emotional safety. The organization is weak and impacts the ability of teachers to do their job well. Can our high stakes test scores go any lower?
--Submitted by a parent

Are there any new reviews? Reviews should be deleted after a year. Teachers are gone. Principals have changed. How can one get information with any integrity? Well, my child's one year there 2007-2008 was a disapointment. The entire second half of the school year was spent preparing for the test. The principal is very insecure.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is a 6th grader at Jackson and has been there since kindergarten. I also have a younger child who will start kindergarten there next year. I wouldn't dream of placing my children anywhere else. We have had nothing but wonderful teachers (even in combo classes which were taught brilliantly). I think all of the teachers at Jackson are great, but especially worth mentioning are Mrs. Pollard, Mrs. Niemann, Mrs. Inouye, Mrs. Knapp and Mr. Ma. As far as the parents at Jackson, well, I've only met the nicest people there - but it's a large group of people, I'm sure there are all types.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids who attend Jackson and have one that has already gone through. I have been pleased so far. My kids learned alot with Mrs. Stephanie Anderson and I hope my 2 younger kids will have the opportunity 2 be taught by her. 4th grade seems to have some issues. I'd stay away from the Combo class. And for the lady who cares about how snobby parents are, just worry about your own kids and not anyone elses.
--Submitted by a parent