Andrew Jackson High School (Jacksonville, Florida)

Infobox_University
name = Andrew Jackson Sr. High


caption =
motto =
established = 1927
type = Public/magnet school
principal = Iranetta Wright
students = 1,639
staff =
city = Jacksonville
state = Florida
country = USA
campus = Urban
nickname = Jackson
mascot = Tigers
colors = Red and White
website =

Andrew Jackson High School is the oldest fully accredited high school in Duval County, Florida. It is located just north of downtown Jacksonville. It opened in 1927 , followed by Robert E. Lee High School, which opened in 1928. It was originally an all-white school, but became integrated in 1970. It is named for U.S. President Andrew Jackson, an important figure in the history of Florida, after whom the city of Jacksonville is also named. It has been reported that the school was originally to be named for Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, but it was called Andrew Jackson during the dedication ceremony and the name was kept.Fact|date=February 2008

Jackson has the city's oldest athletic rivalry with Robert E. Lee High School. For many years the Jackson-Lee football game was played in the Gator Bowl Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, and it was a major event for students and alumni of both schools. The Jackson Tiger football team is known throughout the state. The girls varsity basketball team were 2007 Gateway Conference Champions, beating out Samuel W. Wolfson High School. They won this award for three consecutive years.

Due to lack of space, Jackson is the only high school in Duval County with an off-campus football stadium. The stadium is located about three-fourths of a mile north of the campus on Main Street, adjacent to North Shore Elementary School. Prior to the construction of this facility, the Tigers played their home football games at the Gator Bowl.

Jackson is recognized for rapid change and constant improvement. When Duval County Schools were first being established, Jackson was on the verge of being disaccredited due to leaking roofs, cracks and window damage. These problems were fixed and the school now hosts magnet programs. Jackson's step team, People of Prosperity (an organization composed of the Brothers of Honor and Sisters of Integrity) participated in the Martin Luther King parade, along with AFJROTC.

In 2008, Andrew Jackson High School celebrates its 80th anniversary.

wimming Pool

The school has an outdoor pool which is used by the athletic teams and physical education classes during the academic year; then it becomes a free public pool operated by the City of Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department during the summer months.

Academics

Magnet students at Jackson High School can go into the criminal justice program, the Air Force ROTC military magnet program, or the medical program. The school currently has a F as of 2008 on the Florida School Accountability Grading Scale. [cite web
title = School Demographic, Assessment, and Accountability Data
publisher = Duval County Public Schools
date = February 13, 2008
url = http://www.duvalschools.org/reseval/Schools/SchoolResearchData.asp?School=35
accessdate = 2008-02-16 ]

Improvement

Jackson was one of 16 schools nationwide selected by the College Board for inclusion in the EXCELerator "School Improvement Model" program beginning in the 2007-2008 school year. The project was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Notable alumni

*W. Haydon Burns, mayor of Jacksonville 1949 – 1965 and Governor of Florida 1965 – 1967
*Lou Ritter, mayor of Jacksonville 1965 – 1967
*Jake Godbold, mayor of Jacksonville 1978 – 1987
*Tommy Hazouri, mayor of Jacksonville 1987 – 1991
*Rocco Morabito, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer
*Robert Edward Femoyer, Medal of Honor recipient and WWII Army Air Corps navigator
*Judy Roberts Pulitzer Prize winner, investigative journalism, Chicago Tribune, 1970's
*Wanda Hendrix, 1940s Hollywood actress
*A. C. Lyles, long-time Hollywood producer
*Micah Ross, former member of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL franchise
*James Collins, professional basketball player, formerly in the NBA
*Dennis Yost, lead singer of 1960s pop group Classics IV
*Rita Coolidge, Grammy-winning singer
*Judy Canova, comedian
*Connie Haines, big-band singer
*Leon Washington NFL running back New York Jets
*Jeff Lee, Talk Show Host on America's 1st black station WDIA/Memphis, TN
*T. Terrell Sessums, speaker of Florida House of Representatives and Chairman of the Florida Board of Regents.
*Jeron Harvey, Former wide receiver of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

References

*Patton, Charlie (March 12, 2003). [http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031203/pat_11976577.shtml "Jackson High anniversary a celebration"] . "The Florida Times-Union". Retrieved May 3, 2007.

External links

*http://www.tigers83.com
*http://www.greatschools.net
*http://www.Educationcentral.org
*http://www.Jacksontigers1985.com
*http://www.magnetprograms.com
*http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031203/pat_11976577.shtml
*http://www.classreport.org/usa/fl/jacksonville/ajhs