JPIP summer camp will challenge your child mentally and physically. With activities that include playing chess, horseback riding, skeet shooting range, basketball, and spinning the pottery wheel, there is something at Jackson Prep for every camper.
With tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, and laser engraving, the STEAM concept will lead students to better understand real-life concepts of hands-on learning. Our pottery instructor is the Prep's Head of the Upper School and holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Our STEAM instructor won the VEX Worlds award and was inducted into the International STEAM Hall of Fame. As you can see, your child will be taught and coached by adults with years of experience, not high-school and college students.
Students will not remain on the school’s campus all day but will explore the city and state in the afternoons and on the weekends. There will also be field excursions and educational trips to New Orleans, Louisiana, and NASA Centers in Galveston and Houston, Texas.
There are so many fun things to do in Jackson, the largest city in Mississippi. Open up a world of new adventures when you travel to the City of Jackson, Mississippi -- the State Capital .
Each international student will be paired with 1~3 student ambassadors to enhance their immersive experience through daily activities to have a glimpse of the lives of American teenagers.
The once-of-lifetime American high school is unique and remarkable.
Jackson Preparatory School provides a “home away from home” environment for our international summer campers. Meals and transportation are provided. A friendly and caring residential supervisor ensures an atmosphere of safety and comfort and oversees the healthier and welfare of the students. Other program benefits include enhanced cultural integration, accelerated English language skills development and personalized care.
Jane Zhu, Director of the Jackson Prep International Program (JPIP), is an educator veteran for over 30 years. Mrs. Zhu believes in the power of education. She has truly enjoyed being around students. The joy starts with getting acquainted with students, understanding what they need, guiding them through the challenge, and watching them grow and mature. In her role as Director, Mrs. Zhu supervises the overall international student program, and is the school’s liaison to international students and their families. She manages the international admission process and is the guidance counselor during students' acclimation to Jackson Prep. She also teaches Mandarin Chinese classes at Jackson Prep. In addition to her time spent at Jackson Prep, Mrs. Zhu is also a creative writer, painter, and caring mother of three children.
Don, as Director of the International Summer Camp, brings 27 years of experience in business, technology and leadership into the position. Don began his career upon graduating from The University of Southern Mississippi as a retail manager. After 5 years as a retail manager, Don began his teaching career at McComb High School as a business instructor and soccer / softball coach for 3 years. He became the computer applications and business education instructor at Terry High School, along with the soccer coach, for 7 years. He left Terry for a position as an administrator in Crystal Springs, MS. He spent 11 years with Crystal Springs before returning to the classroom at Jackson Prep.
Don has a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing and a Master’s of Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is presently working on his Doctorate in Educational Leadership through Delta State University. He is married to Jodie Regan - 23 years. He has a daughter - Rachel - who is a Sophomore at Mississippi College.
Bill Richardson - International Summer Camp STEAM Instructor
Bill Richardson is a long-time STEM teacher in the Central Mississippi area for over 15 years. He has led the STEM program for multiple schools. He not only built an award winning robotics program, but also a high school engineering program around robotics where they learned soft skills like interviewing, negotiations, and organization. His team’s won 4 VEX World Championship awards, and he himself won a VEX Worlds award. He was inducted into the International STEM Teacher Hall of Fame through the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation in 2020.
In the engineering classes that he has taught and currently leads, Bill teaches problem solving, CAD (computer aided design), 3D printing, laser engraving, and product design. His students compete in the Technology Student Organization (TSA) and VEX Robotics where they use their skills in product design, problem solving, music composition, CAD, dragster and robotics. His teams have won many state championship titles and a few national awards to put on their resume.
Vicki King, International Summer Camp Liaison, is in her 22nd year at Prep. She began her career as the Director of Communication, and currently serves as the Director of Alumni and Auxiliary Programs.
Vicki assisted with the International Summer Camps several years ago and is looking forward to working again with the International Summer Camp program.
