Dr. Ruffin Explains Registration for New Gifted Middle School
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JACKSON Tenn., — Northeast Middle School will soon be home to more students and teachers when The Academic Academy opens this fall. Jackson-Madison County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Verna Ruffin, tells WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News she is prepared for hundreds to be accepted. “We anticipate beginning with four sections of 6th grade, two sections of 7th grade, and two sections of 8th grade, which is about 200 to 250 students,” Dr. Ruffin explained. Ruffin said any student who qualifies for the current gifted program called “GEMS” will have a spot in the school if they apply. Other students interested will be chosen based on qualifications. “Their academic performance, their past and current one, and standardized test scores,” Ruffin said. Right now, the districts three current “GEMS” teachers will join the new school staff and more will be hired once enrollment is determined. “The opportunity is there for teachers to work for the same group of students on a daily basis in and of itself is a merit,” Ruffin expressed. District leaders say current students at Northeast Middle will not be rezoned. They are also looking at ways to create room inside the building for the extra school. “We want to create a place students want to attend and challenge them in a way they have not been challenged before,” Ruffin said. March 1 will be the first registration for the school at North Side High school’s south campus library. The registration will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
