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JPS athletics report: athletes show higher attendance, GPA and graduation; district aims to boost participation to 50%
Summary
The district reported that 30% of high school students participated in athletics in 2026; athletes averaged 89% attendance, a 3.0 GPA and 100% graduation for athlete seniors. The district plans to increase participation to 50% by 2028–29.
Jackson Public School District presented its annual athletics strategic playbook on June 6, reporting that athletics and co‑curricular participation is associated with stronger attendance, higher grades and lower disciplinary incidents.
Mr. Kenneth Green told trustees that 1,737 of 5,743 high school students — about 30% — participated in athletics and co‑curricular activities during the 2026 school year. Athletes posted an average daily attendance of 89% compared with a district average of 84%, averaged a GPA of 3.00 (versus 2.5 for nonparticipants) and the seniors who participated in athletics had a 100% graduation rate, the presentation said.
The presentation highlighted program offerings across middle and high schools, recent facility upgrades (turf and track renovations, new locker rooms and gym floors) and career and technical education ties, including a renewed partnership with the Nissan Center of Excellence and a work‑based learning capstone for interns.
Board members asked about expanding elementary offerings, volunteer oversight, booster clubs and sponsorships to grow revenue. Mr. Green said volunteers and paraprofessionals are vetted by principals and must complete background checks; booster clubs are separate legal entities that must register fundraisers with principals and submit annual audits.
The district set a goal to increase participation from 30% to 50% by the 2028–29 school year, which Mr. Green said would require adding about 800 student slots across levels and expanding elementary and middle school programs such as flag football, intramurals, and swimming.
