As K-12 students move up to their new grade levels this year, metro Jackson’s independent schools are upping their game, too. Following are a few updates, upgrades, and improvements you can expect to see.
Canton Academy
Canton Academy is beginning the 2026-2027 school year with renewed energy and a continued commitment to excellence. Over the summer, the school invested in significant upgrades to classroom technology, enhanced curriculum resources, and major improvements to campus security systems and safety protocols, ensuring students benefit from an innovative, secure learning environment.
The school has also welcomed several new highly qualified educators and staff members whose experience and passion for Christian education will strengthen academic programs and enrich the student experience.
Leading this exciting new chapter is Head of School Jimmy Nix, whose enthusiasm for the future is contagious. “We are ready for students to be back on campus,” said Nix. “I’m looking forward to getting to know all of our new students and seeing all of our returning students. Our administration and staff are excited about the 2026-2027 school year and the overall future of growing Canton Academy. Go Panthers!”
These improvements reflect Canton Academy’s ongoing mission to provide a safe, Christ-centered environment where students are challenged academically, encouraged spiritually, and equipped for success. As the school continues to grow, Canton Academy remains dedicated to serving families with excellence in a small-town family environment while preparing students to lead with character, faith, and purpose.
Christ Covenant School, Ridgeland
As Christ Covenant School celebrates its 25th year, we continue investing in our students by supporting continued growth across our campus and programs. This year, we are expanding our gymnasium, developing a new baseball field and athletic complex, enhancing our robotics and STEM opportunities, and creating additional learning spaces to meet the needs of our growing student body. We are also welcoming 12 new faculty members and coaches who bring exceptional experience and passion to our community. Alongside ongoing campus safety enhancements and facility improvements, these investments reflect our commitment to providing a Christ-centered education where every student can thrive.
Discovery Christian School
There are many exciting things happening at Discovery Christian School as God continues to work in our community. New Principal Ryan Laster, new faculty members, and expanded elementary play areas highlight this season of growth. Yet Discovery remains firmly rooted in biblical truth, where every course strengthens students’ faith, knowledge, and purpose.
Hartfield Academy, Flowood
For 15 years, Hartfield Academy has intentionally grown to better serve students and families throughout Rankin County and the metro area. Hartfield’s vision is to See Every Student Fulfill Their God-Given Purpose by partnering with families to meet the academic, emotional, and spiritual needs of young people. Today, students benefit from college-preparatory academics, continued campus improvements, dedicated security on both campuses, leadership development, and service and learning opportunities both locally and around the world. By 2030, all K3-12 students will share one campus, creating even greater opportunities for collaboration, community, and Christ-centered education for generations to come.
Hillcrest Christian School, Jackson
Hillcrest Christian School has been selected for the Chick‑fil‑A Leader Academy™ in partnership with Chick-fil-A of Byram. HCS middle- and high-school students will experience an action-oriented leadership program empowering them to make an impact in the school and local community through student-led service projects throughout the school year, said Dr. Gayle Clark, HCS counselor.
“The world needs more leaders seeking to impact their communities. We are proud to invest in these future leaders and can’t wait to see the impact these HCS students make!” – Justin Powell, owner / operator, Chick-Fil-A Byram.
Jackson Academy
Jackson Academy launched the Advanced Placement Capstone program in 2025-26, becoming the only independent school and just the third school statewide to offer it. The two-year sequence pairs AP Seminar, where students collaborate on real-world problems and sharpen research and argument skills, with AP Research, where students design an original project, write a 5,000-word thesis, and defend it publicly. Unlike traditional AP courses built around content mastery, Capstone trains students in analysis, synthesis, and independent thinking. Students who score 3 or higher on both courses, plus four additional AP exams, earn the AP Capstone Diploma, a credential recognized nationwide by selective colleges.
Jackson Preparatory School
Jackson Preparatory School is making strategic investments that reflect its commitment to students and the future of education. From expanding the Lower School with 17 new classrooms and flexible learning spaces to enhancing athletic facilities, revitalizing student-centered environments, and improving campus infrastructure and safety, every project supports academic excellence, personal growth, and student well-being. These improvements create spaces where students can learn, collaborate, compete, and lead while preserving the traditions and values that define Prep. We are investing in a campus that empowers every Patriot to thrive with purpose, character, and excellence. For more information about Prep, visit jacksonprep.net.
Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Madison
Driven by our mission to educate each student’s mind, body, and spirit, Madison-Ridgeland Academy continues investing in campus enhancements that inspire innovation, collaboration, and community.
Our new high-school science and athletic facility features advanced science classrooms to support our growing biomedical sciences program, alongside collaborative common areas for student learning and connection. Athletic upgrades include a state-of-the-art athletic performance center, baseball and softball locker rooms, a new baseball press box, and expanded game-day concessions and restrooms.
Every enhancement furthers MRA’s vision to cultivate excellence and equip future servant leaders to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
Magnolia Speech School, Madison
For 70 years, Magnolia Speech School has been Where Hope Speaks, empowering children with hearing impairments and language disorders to find their voices through listening and spoken language. As we celebrate this milestone, we are also looking toward the future with exciting growth and enhancements that strengthen our mission. This school year, Magnolia is opening a new classroom dedicated to serving children with hearing impairments, expanding access for families seeking specialized education. The campus has also been refreshed with vibrant environmental branding that creates a more engaging and welcoming environment for students, families, and visitors. Along with ongoing investments in safety enhancements, innovative learning spaces, and exceptional faculty, these improvements ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. While much has changed since 1956, one thing remains constant: Magnolia Speech School remains Where Hope Speaks — a place where children discover their voices, families find support, and brighter futures begin.
Mt. Salus Christian School, Clinton
A hallmark of Mt. Salus Christian School is its close-knit community, which begins with the faculty and staff who meet regularly in small groups to pray with and for one another and our students, and this pours over into the classrooms to our students and families.
Park Place Christian Academy, Pearl
After celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025-2026, Park Place Christian Academy (PPCA) in Pearl is ready to embrace its future, including proposals of new educational and athletic buildings.
When K3-12 students return on August 10, they will discover enhanced learning opportunities, such as the addition of laptops and tablets for elementary classrooms. These devices will be used during learning centers to provide students with engaging, age-appropriate educational experiences that reinforce classroom instruction, encourage collaboration, and help develop essential technology skills.
PPCA continues to strengthen its academic program and focus on student achievement while maintaining the Christ-centered culture that defines PPCA.
The Redeemer’s School, Jackson
The Redeemer’s School is preparing for one of the most significant milestones in its history as we move to our new home on the former Chastain campus. This 21-acre, 100,000+ square-foot property off Manhattan Road marks the first public-private school property repurposing in Jackson’s history, transforming a former public school into a home for TRS’ K4-8th grade students and a community hub. Since breaking ground this May, the Christ-centered school, a ministry of Redeemer Church, has been rallying donors, partners, and the community around this next chapter. The Chastain project isn’t just a new building; it’s an investment in Jackson’s future.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Jackson
A new chapter begins at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School with the opening of its beautifully designed Lower School, an investment in the future of its youngest learners. Created to foster curiosity, collaboration, and joyful discovery, the new spaces blend innovative learning environments with the warmth and sense of community that define St. Andrew’s. Filled with natural light, flexible classrooms, and inviting gathering spaces, the buildings reflect the school’s commitment to academic excellence and whole-child development. This milestone represents a bold vision for the future, one where generations of students are inspired to learn, lead, and serve in Mississippi and beyond.
St. Anthony Catholic School, Madison
As St. Anthony Catholic School prepares to welcome students for its 18th year, we are grateful for God’s continued blessings and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Since opening our doors in 2009, our mission has remained steadfast: to nurture students academically, socially, and spiritually in a Christ-centered environment where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to grow.
This school year brings several exciting additions that reflect our commitment to excellence. We are pleased to launch a new preK3 program, welcoming our youngest learners into a loving community where faith and learning begin hand in hand.
We have also expanded our academic offerings by adding a STREAM coordinator, strengthening a curriculum that integrates Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. As the first school in Mississippi to earn STEM accreditation in 2017, we are proud to continue building on that legacy while embracing the creativity and faith that STREAM provides. Our partnership with the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Whole Schools Initiative further enriches the educational experience by weaving the arts throughout the curriculum.
Over the summer, our campus also received meaningful updates, including refreshed classrooms, improvements to our playground and walking track, new computers for faculty, and enhanced campus security through refurbished electronic entry gates.
At St. Anthony Catholic School, every improvement is made with our students in mind. As we begin another school year, we remain dedicated to fostering academic achievement, spiritual growth, creativity, and innovation while preparing students to become faithful leaders in their communities.
St. Richard Catholic School, Jackson
St. Richard Catholic School continues to build on a strong tradition of academic excellence and faith formation. Our new campus has transformed the student experience with expanded learning spaces, enhanced security, modern classrooms, and a dedicated chapel. Through our capital campaign, we are investing in the future with ongoing campus improvements and facility upgrades. Students benefit from innovative technology, a nurturing Catholic environment, and dedicated faculty committed to developing the whole child. St. Richard remains focused on preparing students to become faith-filled leaders with a strong academic foundation and a heart for serving others. – Russ Nelson, principal | strichardschool.org/capitalcampaign
