Jackson Catholic Middle School will relocate to the campus of Jackson Lumen Christi High School in fall, 2014. The following statement was released Friday, October 4:
The pastors of St. Johns, St Mary's and Queens have decided to move the Jackson Catholic Middle School program to the campus of Lumen Christi. This will take place in time for the start of classes next fall. This decision was made with approval of the Bishop and the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, but it was our decision to make and we would like to explain to you briefly the reasoning behind it.
For years, the Jackson Area Catholic Schools pastors and principals have been discussing ways that we can work together to provide the best possible education for our parish children at the lowest possible price. Over time, many plans for consolidation have been placed on the table, all of which had one aim -- to do what's best for every student, every school and every parish.
Formulating these plans has been necessitated by a shrinking Jackson metro area and a smaller Catholic population. Both Lumen Christi and JCMS currently have 1/3 the enrollment they had when they opened their doors 45 years ago. In 1968, Jackson had almost 1,700 students in grades 7 through 12 between these two schools. This combined school will have slightly more than 600 students, with plenty of room for more.
Lumen Christi will be divided into a junior high wing and a high school wing. The junior high will still be a junior high, but with access to better facilities and with a more streamlined curriculum that will better prepare our young people to meet Lumen's high academic standards. Details are still being worked out with regard to staffing, tuition, sports and busing, but know this -- not only do we expect to provide the same level of service as before, we will be able to expand our offerings and to do so for less expense to the families we serve.
Be watching in next week's bulletin, when we will announce the date and time of an open meeting to be held at JCMS where we can address the questions and concerns parents may have. Thank you for your continued support of our schools, the best is yet to come!
Rev. James Shaver - Regional Vicar / pastor, St John the Evangelist Parish
Rev. Timothy Nelson - pastor, St Mary Star of the Sea Parish
Rev. Timothy MacDonald - pastor, Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish