The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Science. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Jackson Academic Steam Academy
Jackson Academic STEAM Academy is a regular public school in Madison County, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade under one roof. Its name signals an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, but the available data does not include specific details about course offerings, program pathways, or whether the STEAM focus translates into a distinct curriculum, so a family would need to ask the school directly about what this means in practice. The school is small for a K-12 campus, with an enrollment that gives it an intimate feel.
The student body is diverse, with the largest share of students identifying as Black, followed by a substantial White population, then Hispanic students, and smaller groups identifying with two or more races or Asian. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not reported, so a parent should seek those figures from the school to understand where the school invests its support resources.
On the state assessments that Tennessee administers in grades three through eight, the results are low. Proficiency in math was well below what most families would expect, and while English language arts was somewhat higher, it still fell short of typical benchmarks. Science and social studies posted results that were modestly better, though still below average. Participation in testing was nearly universal, so the scores reflect the full tested population without a gap. The school does not have reported assessment data for high school grades or a graduation rate, even though it serves twelfth grade, which is a notable absence for a school that covers the full secondary span; a family interested in the upper grades would want to follow up with the school for its end-of-course exam results and four-year graduation figures.
The school is located in Jackson, a mid-sized city that functions as the regional trade, employment, healthcare, and entertainment hub for West Tennessee. Healthcare is the largest industry, followed by manufacturing that includes automotive parts, food processing, and a range of durable goods. Six colleges and universities are within the city, adding to the educational and economic mix. Jackson is auto-oriented, with major commercial corridors along Highland Avenue and near Interstate 40, which has six exits in the city. The downtown area retains a traditional square layout and houses the Carl Perkins Civic Center. The city is seeing modest growth, supported by its location halfway between Nashville and Memphis along the interstate corridor. Housing values and rents in the area are moderate relative to national benchmarks, and the broader economic context shows a stable unemployment rate.
The school is part of the Madison County school system, and a search for recent changes or updates of lasting interest to parents turned up nothing specific beyond general county history, so there is no publicly reported shift in boundaries, programs, or leadership to factor into a decision.
Overall, Jackson Academic STEAM Academy is a small, diverse K-12 school in a regional hub city. Its state test results in the middle grades are low and would give most families reason to ask questions about academic support and instructional approach. The lack of high school outcome data and details on the STEAM offerings means that parents considering this school for a child at any grade level should invest time in a direct conversation with the school to fill in the gaps and get a clearer picture of what the day-to-day experience looks like.
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