East Jackson High School: Forging Pathways to College and Career Success
East Jackson High School is proactively creating opportunities for its students to excel, whether they choose a vocational path or pursue higher education. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like the SME Education Foundation, Albion College, and the USDA, the school is expanding access to resources, streamlining college admissions, and fostering hands-on learning experiences.
SME PRIME: Cultivating a Manufacturing Workforce
East Jackson Secondary School has partnered with the SME Education Foundation to provide students with access to new manufacturing education resources through the SME PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) program. The program was launched at the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year.
Informed by private industry, SME PRIME builds custom manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools across the country, providing equipment, curriculum, and professional development. The program aligns with over 30 industry-recognized certifications (IRCs) and provides a robust learning experience. Since the start of the program in East Jackson, 96% of participating students have been awarded industry-recognized credentials (IRCs).
The SME PRIME program at East Jackson Secondary School provides manufacturing education and hands-on training in high-demand skill sets including Metrology & Quality, CAD/CAM, Additive Manufacturing, and Mechatronics and Robotics. Some of the equipment and supplies that are part of the SME PRIME program at East Jackson Secondary School include a Stratasys 3D Printer, a Universal Robotic Arm, and an Axiom Iconic CNC Router. The students have a unique opportunity to learn about this state-of-the-art equipment in what is considered an economically disadvantaged community.
Addressing the Manufacturing Skills Gap
The SME PRIME program addresses a critical shortage of skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing positions are currently unfilled, and that shortage will grow to 2.5 million unfilled jobs by 2030. SME PRIME addresses this critical shortage by providing schools with resources for instruction that meets the needs of local manufacturers. To date, SME PRIME is in 93 schools across 23 states, serving 9,000 students.
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The Foundation worked with the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) to encourage area manufacturer engagement with the school and to solicit regional manufacturer input to guide the unique, research-informed curriculum plan developed for the school.
According to SME Education Foundation Vice President Rob Luce, SME PRIME schools are a model and a unique approach to manufacturing education and career preparation implemented by scores of schools across the nation, coordinated by their staff of highly qualified education program managers.
Funding and Support
Funding East Jackson Secondary School’s SME PRIME program is part of a $6 million appropriation by the state of Michigan in the School Aid Fund Budget (PA 48 of 2021), which was crafted with bipartisan support from the Michigan Legislature.
Albion College Direct Admit Program: Streamlining College Access
Jackson High School has partnered with Albion College to launch a new initiative that guarantees admission for seniors who meet eligibility requirements. Named the Albion’s Direct Admit Program, the program aims to simplify the college admission process for senior class students who may be interested in pursuing higher education after graduation, according to a news release. It also includes high schools throughout Jackson County and in the Kalamazoo area.
Through Albion College’s Direct Admit program, students with a high school GPA of 2.9 or higher can qualify for streamlined admission. To be eligible, students must graduate in the spring of the year prior to enrolling at Albion as full-time, first-time college students in the fall.
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This initiative simplifies the college application process and broadens access for students who may be hesitant to apply. Jackson High School Principal Monica Pierce said that the partnership removes barriers, opens doors and affirms for students that college is within their reach. Students interested in Albion College can learn more and submit the Direct Admit form at albion.edu/direct.
USDA Grant: Expanding Service-Learning Opportunities
This fall, the Office of Service-Learning received a $240,000 grant from the USDA to expand service-learning opportunities at East Jackson. The grant will support interdisciplinary, project-based learning centered around reducing food insecurity in Jackson County.
According to Paul Matthews, associate director of the Office of Service-Learning and project director for the USDA grant, it’s inspiring being able to engage with high school students and teachers through this grant.
The Office of Service-Learning began working with East Jackson in 2022, helping develop a new service-learning course elective for the school. This USDA grant, which also includes collaborations with UGArden, Campus Kitchen at UGA, and the Mary Frances Early College of Education, is providing more service-learning opportunities for students as they begin high school through East Jackson’s new STEM program, RISE - Research & Innovation in Science & Engineering.
This fall, East Jackson RISE teachers and students focused on topics of health and wellness, and students visited UGArden and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Going into the program’s second semester, the RISE program will focus on a project that will involve components of STEM, service-learning, and food insecurity specifically.
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Morgan said that it’s so nice to see the students so excited and looking into topics that are important to them.
Michael Shawler, STEM coordinator at East Jackson, said one key project would be to enhance the school’s food bag program. As a Title I school, Shawler said there are many students who go home with food supplies on the weekends. The USDA grant could support an interdisciplinary project around utilizing gardens at the school to provide healthier food options.
Shawler notes that seeing students make connections between the courses is powerful.
Preparing Students for the Future
According to Principal Joel Cook, at East Jackson Secondary School, they take great pride in preparing their students for the future, whether that be vocational or the college route.
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