Meet a Falcon: Joey Blackwell, 9th Grade
Students who enroll at Jackson Preparatory & Early College (JPEC), the public school academy offering more than 60 college credits tuition-free, join us from public schools, private schools, Montessori schools, and home-based schools. 9th grader Joey Blackwell had been homeschooled since kindergarten until becoming a Falcon in 6th grade.
What’s it Like to Attend JPEC after Homeschooling?
“While it was hard transitioning to actually having a set schedule and being around people each day, it was easy to get comfortable here. JPEC is a small school, so I was able to get to know everyone in my grade and my teachers.”
Joey enrolled as a full-time student, but homeschoolers are welcome to attend part-time and take as many electives as they want at no cost.
What Activities Are You Involved in at JPEC?
“In addition to core subjects like math, English, science, and history, I’m taking Sociology of Deviance and singing in Select Choir. I’m also doing robotics at the Jackson Area Career Center.” 
JPEC is among the county's best competitive middle and high school robotics teams. Our high school team has qualified for the world championship five times in the last six years!
We have all the extras here including
Team sports
Robotics
Performing Arts
Band
Choir
Bucket drumming!
What are Your Aspirations for the Future?
“I want to go through dual enrollment and get my Associate’s at Jackson College, which I can do through JPEC. Then I want to study art history and become a museum curator or educator.”
JPEC Falcons can graduate with multiple associate’s degrees from Jackson College and then continue towards a bachelor’s degree through our partnership with Albion College. The Class of 2025 earned a combined total of more than 1700 college credits and 1.8 degrees per Falcon at no financial cost for their families!
What Do You Want to Tell Other Homeschoolers about your JPEC Experience?
“Transitioning to a full-on classroom can be rough; so can having more strict deadlines. But for me JPEC is similar to homeschooling. My teachers meet me where I’m at in all my subjects. My time management and communication skills have improved significantly. I can socialize with more kids my age here than I did before. Overall, I think that coming to JPEC has had a positive impact on me and will continue to in the future.”
JPEC is still enrolling for the 2025-2026 school year. The first day of school is August 20th. To join Joey and the other Falcons complete this form and we’ll get back in touch right away with next steps. Don’t delay!
About Jackson Preparatory & Early College
As a public school academy for middle and high school students Jackson Preparatory &
Early College (JPEC), Michigan’s only whole school Early College program with a middle school, offers 6th – 13th graders the opportunity to foster independence safely. Founded
more than a decade ago and housed at Jackson College, JPEC offers access to world-class facilities which enables us to provide an excellent tuition-free education that includes credit-earning college courses and career-defining certifications. We value competency-based learning -- what you know how to do, not just what you know. Achieve an associate’s degree and a high school diploma simultaneously. Every student can succeed here. Enroll now. Find us at jacksonpec.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
