New opportunities available to Madison County families through JMCSS Open Enrollment

JACKSON, TN — Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS) is now accepting Open Enrollment applications, giving families across Madison County the opportunity to access one of the most comprehensive public school systems in West Tennessee. Open Enrollment for high school students is open now through February 6, while applications for elementary and middle school students will be accepted through March 6.

Open Enrollment allows families to request placement at a school outside of their zoned attendance area. When seats are available, students may enroll in their school of choice and remain through the highest grade offered, provided they remain in good standing. Siblings of students currently attending through Open Enrollment must apply but receive priority when seats are available.

For families exploring educational options—including those currently homeschooling or attending private schools—JMCSS offers a breadth of programs and pathways unmatched in the region. District leaders emphasize that JMCSS provides the greatest return on investment of any K–12 option in West Tennessee, combining academic excellence, innovation, safety, and access.

JMCSS is home to Madison Academic, the top-rated public high school in West Tennessee, and Jackson Central-Merry Early College High, a nationally recognized early college model that allows students to earn college credit while completing high school. At the middle school level, the Academic Academy at Northeast offers accelerated coursework that enables students to earn high school credit in Algebra I, Spanish I, and Environmental Science.

The district’s commitment to future-ready learning is further reflected in the Malesus STEM Innovation Center, an advanced middle school campus that houses the Toyota Engineering, Manufacturing & Mechatronics Institute (EM²), a partnership between Toyota Tennessee and JMCSS. High school students also benefit from the district’s Workforce Development Center, where they can earn certifications and hands-on training in manufacturing, healthcare, and other high-demand fields.

Families seeking flexible learning options can enroll in Jackson Academic STEAM Academy, a virtual platform that blends the comforts of homeschooling with the enrichment, extracurricular opportunities, and community partnerships of a large public school system.

With support from the Madison County Commission, JMCSS has strengthened campus safety by placing a School Resource Officer on every campus, reinforcing the district’s commitment to secure learning environments.

Traditional high schools across the district offer specialized programs unavailable elsewhere in the county, including Culinary Arts and Large Animal Science at Liberty Technology Magnet High School, BioSTEM at North Side High School, Dance at Jackson Central-Merry, and Automotive Collision Repair and Digital Arts & Design at South Side High School.

“Families don’t have to leave public education to find opportunity, innovation, or individualized pathways,” Superintendent Dr. Marlon King said. “Jackson-Madison County Schools offers it all—academics, safety, and real-world opportunities.”

Families are encouraged to explore school offerings and submit Open Enrollment applications before the respective deadlines.