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About Us

 

JMS - Front Entrance

 

Early Roots: Jackson Agricultural College (1896–1936)

  • In 1896, the Jackson Agricultural College was established as one of Alabama’s nine district agricultural schools. It offered practical education in farming, cooking, sewing, bookkeeping, languages, music, and more—enrolling nearly 200 students 
  • Located on what is now College Avenue, the three-story brick facility included classrooms, labs, auditorium, and an experimental farm spanning 49 acres 
  • As the school expanded, it became First District Agricultural School in 1903 and later State Secondary Agricultural School around 1920 
  • By 1936, with declining enrollment, the college was absorbed into the Clarke County School System. The original building was demolished and replaced by a new brick facility to serve as a standard public school 

Transition: Birth of JMS & Proud “Aggies” Heritage

  • When the property was taken over, local public school teams adopted the “Aggies” nickname to honor its agricultural college legacy—just like many colleges with agrarian roots 
  • Today, JMS celebrates this heritage through its mascot and agricultural-themed programming.

Jackson Middle School: Modern Era (Post-1936 to Today)

  • Located at 235 College Avenue, JMS serves approximately 300 students in grades 6–8 
  • The school honors its past through present-day initiatives, including a school garden, aeroponic towers, and plans for aquaponics and a greenhouse—continuing its agricultural mission 
  • JMS also emphasizes STEM education and academic excellence. In 2018, the school performed above the state average on Alabama’s report card 
  • Students engage in sports (football, basketball, baseball, softball, cheer), academic clubs like National Junior Honor Society and Scholars Bowl, and student government 

Community & Heritage

  • The site lies within the Jackson Historic District, recognized for its Greek Revival and Queen Anne architecture, and is bounded by College Avenue—a nod to its educational past 
  • A historical marker at the location commemorates the agricultural college’s significance and notes that the mascot “Aggies” originated during that era.