Jackson County Comprehensive High School

Academics

Classes offered are English I-IV, Math I, Math II, Math III, Math IV, Biology, Physical Science, Environmental Science, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Civics, World History, American History, Economics, AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, French, Spanish, Creative Writing, Psychology, Drama, and multiple AP and dual enrollment courses.

Vocational classes include Theater, Agriculture, Business Education, Family and Consumer Science, Healthcare Science, Information Tech, Manufacturing Tech, Video Broadcasting, Physical Education, Art, Youth Apprenticeship, and JROTC.

The Fine Arts department includes Drama, Band, and Chorus.

Graduates have attended institutes of higher education around the world, including the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Oxford University, Massey University in New Zealand, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, the University of Alabama, Florida State University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and the University of Georgia.

Panther football

Jackson County has a football history dating back to 1980 when the school moved from Braselton to Jefferson. Traditions throughout the years include the rubbing of the Panther statue and the pride monument before running down Panther Hill. Most of these traditions began during the tenure of Head Coach Brent Brock, who is also responsible for the field house that sits on the hill overlooking the stadium.

Current Head Coach Benji Harrison led the Panthers to their first ever state playoff appearance in school history and their first playoff appearance in 20 years during the 2012 season. However, they were routed by Cartersville High School. On May 17, 2008 Jackson County hosted the 1st Annual Alumni Game, the brainchild of current Head Coach Billy Kirk. The game was made up of former players who graduated as far back as 1984, and was in full pads. The teams were divided based on each player's odd/even graduation year. 2009 shaped up to be more successful with another great turnout out of former ball players and alumni graduates. This year of the most spectacular plays of the game came late in the 3rd quarter with an interception by Wes Gaddis. Though this was not enough to keep Coach Kirk and the odds from edging out the evens.

Girls' athletic programs

The girls' athletic programs are currently some of the top in the state, with the cross country team finishing fourth in the state in 2011 and 11th in the state in 2012. The softball team finished the 2012 season in the State Final Four. The 2011 soccer team finished their season in the state quarterfinals and ranked in the top 8 in the state.

JCCHS band program

During the football season, the band's focus is improving the halftime show and competing in two or three marching festivals a year. The band has received "superior" ratings at marching festivals, such as Mid-South in Gadsden, Alabama and the Greater Atlanta Marching Festival. The band devotes much of its fall season to marching band, but once football season is over they switch their focus to concert music.

The band has three classes: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. Concert Band is the entry-level band class. Symphonic Band is the mid-level band class, and Wind Ensemble is a group of the band's most talented students. In the spring, students begin preparing music for Large Group Performance Evaluation or "Festival."

JCCHS has a jazz band. Jazz II is available for any student, while Jazz I is for the serious jazz student and requires an audition. They have received "superior" ratings at the spring Jazz Performance Evaluation, hosted at JCCHS.

In the spring, students participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival, also hosted at JCCHS. Students perform solos, duets, trios, quartets, etc., with other band members, then receive ratings.

Students experience music outside of the JCCHS band room by getting involved in things such as District or All-State Bands as well as in college band clinics at universities like Reinhardt or Lee University.

The JCCHS band program is under a new director, Nick Golding, as of August 2013.

JCCHS Advanced Ensemble

The JCCHS Advanced Ensemble is under the tutelage of conductor Ryan Maddox. The ensemble has performed light operas and musicals as The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance , HMS Pinafore, Grease, and West Side Story. They have performed at over 500 local churches and community groups. They have also performed twice at the governor's mansion. The JCCHS Advanced Ensemble has gone on European tours to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany. They have recorded five CDs, and performed works such as Faure's Requiem, Dvorak's Te Deum, Vaughan Williams' Hodie, and Mendelssohn's Hear my Prayer.

FFA

Jackson County Comprehensive High School has the most renowned FFA chapter in the state of Georgia. The FFA chapter has been a three-star gold chapter for over ten years, the highest honor given to a chapter. JCCHS FFA has had three members hold state FFA offices and one run for national office. The chapter has been recognized nationally for horticulture, floral designing, and many other achievements.

Notable alumni