James Kenan High School

of the school and the students that are in it. the parents never show interest in bieng at any school functions. even thought they say that the school should be better and that it should be more successful, how in the world do you expect jkhs to better itself when it has no supporters, no motivation? also, the principals here are bending over backwards to make the students do right by the stupid handbook rules and regulations. they try thier hardest to make things go as smoothly as possible. booker,ballard,and pittman do a wonderful job on disciplining student's, and trying to give the school some faith to hold on to, but what they don't seem to realize, is that at the beginging of this year, we were all trying so hard and yet we got no thanks, and so, we went back the way that we were. it's so obvious why.
—Submitted by a student

As an educator in Duplin County, I know first hand that the teachers in the James Kenan district do not get the recognition that they deserve! Walk the halls and you'll see quality teachers who truly care for their students. It's disheartening when school first begins in August and we have our county-wide 'celebration' at Kenan Auditorium and most others schools in the county are recognized for meeting or exceeding their goals and the James Kenan district teachers are once again passed over because the scores aren't up to par. Teacher moral suffers.Teachers and students can not do it all by themselves! I see our biggest problem as parental support. Come on parents, step up! Get involved with your childs education! Schedule a conference with your child's teachers, talk to him/her. Ask what you can do to help your child. Volunteer!!! Support your childs school!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a teacher

James Kenan won the state 1AA football championship for 2007! Just get the academics up with the football and you will be great. School spirit helps the students so hopefully this will help them. Few high schools have the privilege of a state football title. They must be doing something right.

I just graduated from James Kenan with the class of '05. Yes, James Kenan does have its downside, but all schools do. I feel that Mrs. Jernigan (current principal) has done all that she could (with the little money that is available) to make James Kenan the best school in the county and one of the best in the state. If anyone is to blame, it is the parents. Don't get me wrong, they are great but they need to get involved in the activities. Go to a band competition every now then. Watch a Chorus concert. Don't just go to the basketball and football games. Try supporting students more, and I guarantee that James Kenan will give the top schools in the state a run for their money (even though we have none).
—Submitted by a former student

James Kenan High School is a good school but the leadership does not know how to deal with the creed of people which attend the school. The JKHS attendence is mostly blacks and hispanics. There are a lot of good things about JKHS but leadership is not one of them. A lot of discrimination takes place at this school and not all children are created equal..
—Submitted by a former student

I know that JKH is a good school because myself and 7 more of my siblings graduated from there. They get a bad wrap public. But it's only what you make of it. I have three children of my own that graduated with honors and went on to further their education.
—Submitted by a parent