Public Education, Private Education and Colleges

Jacksonville Independent School District
The mission of Jacksonville Independent School District, as a community-wide partnership with a shared sense of pride, is to ensure each student develops the educational capacity necessary to reach his or her full potential and become a contributing citizen in an ever-changing, competitive world; this is accomplished through highly-skilled, caring faculty, diverse community resources, advanced technology, and facilities that provide a positive learning environment.

Our school district is composed of eight campuses which serve 4943 students. We have one high school, one middle school, one intermediate school, four elementary schools and one alternative campus. 

This district also has a Support Center which consists of a Technology Department, Food Service Department, Warehouse, and Maintenance Department. The Transportation Department has 53 buses and runs 47 routes each day.

 TEA ratings for 2003-2004 are Acceptable for JISD district with one campus being Recognized and one campus being Exemplary. JISD received a Gold Performance rating for the number of students graduating on the Recommended Program and also one campus received a Gold Performance rating in reading and math.

Jacksonville Christian School
Jacksonville Christian School is a non-denominational school supported through tuition and donations that provides a high standard of academics in Jacksonville and surrounding communities. The school has 130 students in pre-k through eighth grades with a student/teacher ratio of 12:1 in pre-k and 16:1 in kindergarten through eighth grades. They are a member of the Association of Christian Schools International and Association of Christian Schools of Texas.

JCS offers P.E., art, and music programs for kindergarten through eighth grade. Sports are also offered for fifth through eighth grade. A school library consisting of over 6,000 books is set up with the Accelerated Reader program. The school is located at 1218 Corinth Road and may be contacted at (903) 586-8801 for information.

Jacksonville Baptist College
Students from many states and foreign countries as well as the local area and the state of Texas to attend Jacksonville College, where integration of the Christian faith and college learning is a primary mission. The College was chartered in 1899, began classes in the fall of that year, and has operated continuously at the founding site with the same name and overall purposes. 

The Baptist Missionary Association of Texas owns and operates the school.  The academic purpose is to provide accredited undergraduate education at the junior college level in a Christian environment.  Extra-curricular activities include varsity sports, with the Jaguars competing in basketball and the Lady Jaguars in basketball and volleyball. Many other campus activities are available such as choir, wind ensemble, drama and Christian ministry opportunities.

Lon Morris College
Lon Morris College, founded in 1854 has been located in Jacksonville, Texas since 1894. It is an institution of the United Methodist Church providing students with a quality two year liberal arts education. Students can select one of over 30 associate degrees.

Students work diligently to accomplish their academic goals and they engage in enjoyable sports and extracurricular activities that challenge them physically and mentally. Major achievements such as a state-of-the- art Technology Center keep LMC on a success path of quality service for today's fast pace world.  The LMC Learning Enrichment program provides special study assistance and teaming instruction for students who need help with their teaming skills. The Service Learning Program is designed to help students learn the value of volunteered service to their community and other service which is important to our society and American way of life.

Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary
Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary was chartered in 1955 and began classes at its present location in 1957. The purpose of the Seminary is to provide accredited undergraduate and graduate theological education for the training of the individuals for various forms of Christian service and leadership roles.

The Seminary is located in Jacksonville, Texas, at 1530 East Pine Street. Enrollment averages from 75 to 85 students each semester, with students from six to eight states and five to six foreign countries.

The Seminary is accredited to award the Associate Divinity, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Master of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity Degrees.