Points of Pride
2024-2025 Points of Pride
1st Point of Pride: Superior Band & Excellent Chorus
Description of the initiative or special recognition:
LGPE Superior rated band and Excellent rated Chorus.
Explanation of the impact it is having within the school:
Jonesboro Middle School’s Fine Arts programs continue to grow and excel, providing students with meaningful opportunities to develop creativity, discipline, teamwork, and confidence. Our band students earned a Superior rating at LGPE, while our chorus program earned an overall Excellent rating, showcasing the dedication of both students and directors. These achievements have increased student pride and engagement in the arts while strengthening school culture and community support for Fine Arts programs.
2nd Point of Pride: Fine Arts Night Fall and Spring
Description of the initiative or special recognition:
Visual Arts Show and awards, Dance Team, Band Performances, Chorus Performances, and partnerships with Community Schools.
Explanation of the impact it is having within the school:
Jonesboro Middle School hosted both Fall and Spring Fine Arts Nights, bringing together hundreds of students, families, staff members, and community partners to celebrate student creativity and achievement. These events highlighted student artwork, live performances from band, chorus, and dance, and showcased the collaborative spirit of the school community. Through partnerships with Community Schools and local supporters, Fine Arts Night has become a signature event that strengthens family engagement, encourages student confidence, and promotes the importance of arts education within the school and community.
3rd Point of Pride: STEM Clubs
Description of the initiative or special recognition:
Drone Club, Gardening Club, and Photography Club.
Explanation of the impact it is having within the school:
Jonesboro Middle School continues to expand opportunities for students through engaging STEM-focused clubs and enrichment activities. Drone Club allows students to explore technology, coding, and aviation concepts through hands-on experiences. Gardening Club encourages environmental stewardship, sustainability, and healthy living while helping students develop teamwork and responsibility. Photography Club provides students with opportunities to strengthen creativity and digital media skills through journalism and visual storytelling, including the production of the JMS Memory Magazine. The student-created publication captures important moments and memories from the school year while giving students real-world experience in photography, design, collaboration, and media production. Together, these clubs create engaging learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and help students discover new interests and career pathways.
4th Point of Pride: Partnerships
Description of the initiative or special recognition:
Partnerships with ArtsClayton and Community Schools supporting student wellness, enrichment, and community engagement.
Explanation of the impact it is having within the school:
These partnerships have strengthened the connection between Jonesboro Middle School and the surrounding community while providing valuable resources and support systems for students, families, and staff. ArtsClayton partnered with Jonesboro Middle School to secure grant funding for the Gardening Club and connect students with master gardeners to help develop a new community garden. Community Schools continues to support JMS through programs such as the Bear Claw Market Café food pantry, staff wellness initiatives, and the student Zen Den featuring yoga, calming activities, and wellness enrichment opportunities. These initiatives help support students’ social-emotional growth, increase access to resources, and create a positive school culture focused on wellness and engagement.
5th Point of Pride: Staff Professional Growth & Achievement
Description of the initiative or special recognition:
Recognition of Jonesboro Middle School staff members who completed advanced educational programs and professional certifications during the 2025–2026 school year.
Explanation of the impact it is having within the school:
Jonesboro Middle School proudly recognizes several staff members for their commitment to professional growth and continued education. Ms. Duncan, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Coggins, Coach Hammond, and Mrs. Wilson completed Master of Education programs through Mercer University. Mrs. Skepple completed her Master’s Degree in Education through Grand Canyon University. Mr. Jones successfully completed the TAPP program through Clayton County Public Schools, and Coach Foster completed her Doctorate in Education through Sanford College of Education. These accomplishments demonstrate the dedication of JMS educators to lifelong learning, instructional excellence, and continued growth in order to better serve students and the school community.