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| FEATURE - AUGUST, 1999 - JEFFERSON, GEORGIA |
A tradition in education
Jackson Trail Christian School begins
its 25th year, continues emphasis on patriotism, religion
By Jana Adams
In the early 1970s, the Rev. Wayne and Mrs. Bobbie Jackson opened
a school off the Jefferson-Winder Hwy. with the intention of providing
children an education in a loving Christian atmosphere. Monday
morning, Jackson Trail Christian School opened its doors for the
start of its 25th year, with the mission of offering education
with a Christian emphasis still firmly in place.
Book bags of all colors,
shapes and sizes lining the short hallway between the office,
two classrooms, lunchroom and chapel Monday signalled that school
was in session. For those new to the school, wooden signs hanging
above the doors identify the different rooms - apples for the
classrooms, a church for the chapel and a loaf of bread for the
lunchroom.
JTCS traditions
Among the traditions the Rev. Wayne and Mrs. Bobbie Jackson started
25 years ago when they opened Jackson Trail Christian School are
the pledge to the American flag.
In the classrooms, children ranging from 3-year-olds to sixth
graders settled into their desks. The school's two teachers, Bobbie
Jackson and the Jacksons' daughter-in-law, Kelly Jackson, welcomed
the students in their respective classrooms to a new school year
and took roll, sorting out the older children from the younger.
In a sort of one-room schoolhouse approach, the two classes mix
the different age groups together. B. Jackson teaches 3-, 4- and
5-year-olds, first graders and third graders, while K. Jackson
teaches second, fourth, fifth and sixth graders.
After a head count, the teachers shepherded the children together
into the chapel, where a bulletin board covered with shiny blue
paper and tiny cutout fish proclaims that "God's Love is
Deeper Than the Sea."
The school's 18 students - 20 are actually on roll for the 1999-2000
school year - listened as B. Jackson explained some of the school's
rules - the usual no running in the hall or talking out of turn
mixed with some unique to the school, such as "no screaming
when singing." For singing is a regular part of the JTCS
school day, beginning with a verse of "America the Beautiful"
every morning. Bible stories, the pledge to the American flag
and prayer are also among the morning chapel rituals.
Following the pledge and song, B. Jackson stood behind a podium
and raised a Bible high.
"Does anyone know what this is?" she asked and got an
immediate response. "Yes, this is the Bible. Some of you
know it, but the word of God never gets old."
Another day had begun, a new school year was underway.
HOW THE SCHOOL WORKS
An independent, non-profit Christian organization not affiliated
with any particular denomination or group, JTCS operates under
a board of directors, with the Rev. Jackson serving as administrator.
The school receives no state or federal funds and is financed
largely through tuition. 
The
school carries a 501(c)(3) federal rating for tax purposes of
donations.
The school serves students from Jackson, Barrow and Hall counties
and has used the A Beka curriculum and Christian textbooks since
its beginning 25 years ago, B. Jackson said. Emphasis is placed
on American patriotism and Christianity, and character development
is considered among the most important work of the school.
Bible Stories
Read
Mrs. Jackson is shown with her Bible during the first chapel meeting
of the year.
According to B. Jackson, JTCS students consistently rank above
the national average in academic achievement, a fact she attributes
to "dedicated teachers, low teacher-pupil ratio, good attendance
and respect for others."
Beginning in kindergarten, students participate in an extensive
phonics program, intended to give each child confidence in reading
so "reading becomes a joy," B. Jackson said. Along with
the usual academic subjects, students also take art and poetry,
and each classroom has computers with Internet access.
Through the assistance of the Piedmont Regional Library, the school
keeps a collection of books available for students to check out
each week.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Each year, the students participate in educational field trips,
and they also enter a float in the local Christmas parades, with
students and parents working together to make the events successful,
B. Jackson said.
Fund-raising efforts of the Parent-Teacher Fellowship (PTF) through
the years are visible in the school's gym, established debt-free
last year. The gym houses a kitchen, stage and restrooms. Last
year, two student plays, honors night and kindergarten 5 graduation
were held in the gym for the first time, instead of in local churches
as in previous years.
Other efforts of the PTF include an annual family wiener roast,
which is one of the year's highlights, along with Kite Day held
each March.
AFTER JTCS
After leaving JTCS, students enter other Christian schools or
public schools, B. Jackson said.
"It's always good to see the names of students we taught
at JTCS who have made the honor roll time after time (at other
schools)," she said. "A further joy is when a student
completes the 12th grade as an honor grad."
Jackson Trail Christian School, home of the 5-Star Generals with
colors of blue and gold, "continues to march forward with
its original goal - training boys and girls in the knowledge of
Christ and the Christian way of life while providing an excellent
academic education," B. Jackson said.
The motto of the school is "Helping Mold Tomorrow Today,"
an idea that, according to B. Jackson, is further illustrated
by the quote of Charles Hadden Spurgeon: "One of God's chief
methods for preserving His fields from tares is to sow them early
with wheat."