Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Paxon School for Advanced Studies (PSAS) is one of four International Baccalaureate senior high schools (the others being Stanton College Preparatory School, Wolfson High School, and Terry Parker High School) in Duval County, Florida. According to the College Board's Advanced Placement Report, Paxon has one of the strongest math and science Advanced Placement programs in the state of Florida. Because of this accomplishment, Paxon is one of a select group of Florida schools invited to apply for the Siemens Advanced Placement High School Award. Only ten to fifteen schools per state are invited to apply. Some valedictorians have been accepted to the United States Naval Academy and different Ivy League schools.

Paxon School for Advanced Studies
Motto"Caritas, Constantia, Excellentia, Integritas"
TypeMagnet school—College Preparatory
Established1954
PrincipalRoyce Turner, Ed.D
Administrative staff
107
Students1,491 (2015-16)[1]
Address
3239 Norman E Thagard Blvd
,
Jacksonville
,
Florida
,
USA
ColorsNavy Blue █ and Gold █
NicknamePSAS; Pax
MascotGolden Eagle
Websitewww.duvalschools.org/psas

History

Paxon High School was originally named Paxon Field Junior-Senior High School when it was built in 1954. It included 7th through 12 grades until 1957, when Paxon Junior High was built across the street. In 1996, Paxon became a college preparatory school and an International Baccalaureate school, and took on its present-day name. Today, Paxon considers its chief rival to be Stanton College Preparatory School, another Jacksonville IB school. In 2008, Paxon School for Advanced Studies was ranked number 8 of the 100 best high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine; 17th in 2007, 28th in 2006, 7th in 2005 and 3rd in 2003.[2]

The site where the school was built was Paxon Air Field, where Bessie Coleman was killed in a plane accident in 1926. Coleman was the first African American (male or female) to become an airplane pilot, and the first American of any race or gender to hold an international pilot license. Paxon Field was Jacksonville's first airfield, with the exception of the beaches. The Navy used the (grass) airfield for training during World War II, but eventually declared the site excess in January 1947.

Magnet program

The Paxon School faculty consists of over 100 teachers whose awards include district Teacher of the Year and National Board Certification. The 88-acre (360,000 m2) campus includes athletic facilities, a swimming pool, a professional grade television production studio, science labs, and a theater.[3] Sports teams include football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming and diving, golf, wrestling, weightlifting, tennis, and bowling, many of which have competed and placed at district and regional levels. Social clubs include the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Youth Leadership for Change. Since becoming an academic magnet, Paxon SAS has seen 3 principals, Dr. James A. Williams (Founder) 1996-2006, Mrs. Carol H. Daniels 2006-2009, and Dr. Royce Turner 2009–present.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program was initially formed in 1968. Paxon established an IB program in 1995, was approved in 1997, and had its first graduating IB class in 2000. The four-year program consists of two parts: Pre-IB and IB. Pre-IB prepares students for the rigorous two year, pre-university liberal arts course of study.

U.S Army JROTC

Army JROTC Detachment: Golden Eagle Battalion which was a recipient of the "Honor Unit with Distinction" recognition (From 1993 to 2019) Which was terminated in 2009 due to lack of funds, but then reinstated the same year. The Golden Eagle Battalion is now stronger than ever, and still carries the "Honor Unit with Distinction" recognition. The battalion is currently led by Senior Army Instructor Major (Ret.) Kenneth De Voe, Army Instructor Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Truman McDuffie, Army Instructor Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.) Dweise Harris.

The Cadet Chain of Command for the current school year is as follow:

  • Battalion Commander Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Aysia Washington
  • Battalion Executive Officer Cadet Major Dante Gregson
  • Battalion Command Sergeant Major Cadet Command Sergeant Major Jalynn Greiner

The Cadet Staff is as follows

  • Battalion Adjutant Officer (S-1) Reece Hardy
  • Battalion Intelligence Officer (S-2) Wilkens Verger
  • Battalion Operations and Training Officer (S-3) Ke'Trin Mobley
  • Battalion Supply and Logistics Officer (S-4) Jyothik Addala
  • Battalion Communications Officer (S-5) Tyana Hagans
  • Battalion Special Events Officer (S-6) Sydney Hesla

The Cadet Command is as follows:

  • Headquarters Company Commander
  • Executive Officer
  • First Sergeant
  • Alpha Company Commander
  • Executive Officer
  • First Sergeant
  • Bravo Company Commander
  • Executive Officer
  • First Sergeant
  • Charlie Company Commander
  • Executive Officer
  • First Sergeant
  • Delta Company Commander
  • Executive Officer
  • First Sergeant
  • Echo Company Commander
  • Executive Officer
  • First Sergeant

Drill Team The Golden Eagle Battalion Drill Team comprises Armed, Unarmed, Exhibition and Color Guard drill.

  • Area 1 Drill Champions 2015, 2016

Swimming pool

The school has an outdoor pool which is used by the athletic teams. It becomes a free public pool operated by the City of Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department during the summer months.

Sports

Basketball, Baseball, Football,Flag football, Volleyball, Bowling, Cross Country, Track and Field, Soccer, Cheerleading, Softball, Tennis, Golf, Swim and Dive, Lacrosse, Wrestling [4]

Honors
  • Ranked as the #35 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2013[5]
  • Ranked as the #23 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2012[6]
  • Ranked as the #170 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2011[7]
  • Ranked as the #6 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2009[8]
  • Ranked as the #8 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2008[2]
  • 2008 Gold Medal winner, ranked as 30th best High School is the US by US News & World Report[9]
  • Ranked as the #29 public school in the United States by U. S. News Magazine in 2007
  • Ranked as the #17 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2007[10]
  • Ranked as the #28 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2006[11]
  • Ranked as the #7 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2005[12]
  • Ranked as the #3 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2003[13]
  • P.S. 75 of Duval County Public Schools
  • Newspaper: The Eagle, selected as the #1 high-school paper in Jacksonville by the Florida Times-Union in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
  • Football Stadium: Paxon Stadium (main rivals are the Stanton College Prep Blue Devils)
  • Freedom Award Winner
  • The graduating class of 2005 was the largest graduating class ever to be seen by the school.
  • Paxon's land area is the largest of any school in Duval County
  • Paxon's CEEB (SAT/ACT) code is 100780

Notable alumni
  • Robert Nix, songwriter, record producer and drummer for The Candymen, Roy Orbison's backing band and founding member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Graduated from Paxon High School with J.R. Cobb. Co-wrote all of the songs on Champagne Jam, one of Atlanta Rhythm Section's most successful albums, which he also co-produced.[16]
  • Antwaune Ponds, former NFL linebacker[17]
  • Ron Sellers, former NFL wide receiver[18]
  • Dr. Norman E. Thagard - Graduated from Paxon in 1961 and he went on to become an astronaut for NASA. The street upon which Paxon is located now carries his name (Norman E. Thagard Blvd.).[19]
  • The Pajcic Brothers, Gary and Steve, established a million dollar endowment at the University of North Florida to pay the full tuition of any graduate of their alma mater, Paxon High School, who was accepted and enrolled at UNF.[20] In 2001, Steve Pajcic donated $250,000 to endow a scholarship for Paxon School students at Princeton University.[20] The football field at Paxon now carries their name
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References
  1. "PAXON SCHOOL/ADVANCED STUDIES". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  2. Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews
  3. "Duval Schools". Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-06-22. Retrieved 2012-04-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 21, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class Newsweek Web Exclusive
  9. US News & World Report
  10. Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews
  11. Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews
  12. Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews
  13. Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews
  14. Guralnick, Peter (2012). Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley. Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316206778.
  15. Janet Jernigan, J.R. Cobb shares history; Monticello News, August 19, 2010. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  16. Luc Brunot, Interview with Robert Nix, Bands of Dixie Magazine, November–December 2008. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  17. "Antwaune Ponds bio". Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  18. "Ron Sellers bio". Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  19. Strickland, Sandy (July 12, 2000). "Paxon gets 'walk of fame'". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  20. Florida Department of Education: April 29, 2002-Gary and Steve Pajcic donate $1 million to help bring veteran teachers to challenged schools in Duval County Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine

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