What It Means to Be a Falcon
The 2026-27 school year is underway, and our halls (and the Jackson College campus) are full of Falcons again. But what does it actually mean to be a Falcon at Jackson Preparatory & Early College?
It's not just a mascot on a T-shirt. Being a Falcon means something different for every student, because JPEC isn't a one-size-fits-all school. Some Falcons are on the court or the track, others are building robots or drumming on buckets, or earning college credit toward a career. Most are doing all three.
Here's what it really looks like to be a Falcon.
More Than a Mascot
At JPEC, "Falcon" isn't just a school spirit word. It's shorthand for a student who's building a full life: academic, athletic, creative, and career-focused, without having to choose just one path.
It’s all possible because of how JPEC is built. Our competency-based curriculum lets students move at their own pace instead of a one-size-fits-all schedule. That flexibility frees up room for students to go deep into the things they love, whether that's a sport, a club, or a college class.
Falcon Pride on the Field, Court, and Track
For a lot of JPEC athletes, being a Falcon starts with the jersey. JPEC fields competitive teams in basketball, track, cross country, volleyball, and more, and families notice the difference in coaching and community right away.
Students who grew up in Jackson often choose JPEC because a sibling went there first, and they already know the culture: small enough that teachers show up to games, but big enough to compete. For student athletes balancing practice, games, and a college-credit course load, that support matters. It's what makes it possible to chase a scholarship and a diploma at the same time.
Falcon Passion Beyond the Classroom
Being a Falcon also means having room to explore. JPEC's clubs and electives go far beyond the basics: robust clubs, student organizations, and interest-based groups are where students find their people.
Some of the ways Falcons get involved outside of class:
Robotics Team: Our competitive robotics program takes students all the way to the FIRST Robotics World Championship stage.
Bucket Drumming Club: A creative outlet that builds rhythm, teamwork, and confidence.
Student Council: A chance to lead and shape the JPEC experience for other students.
Pottery and the arts: Hands-on creative electives that balance out a rigorous academic schedule.
Student organizations: Including the Queer/Straight Alliance (QSA) and more, so every student can find a community that fits.
For students who started at JPEC in 6th grade, these clubs often become just as central to their JPEC story as their classes. A student can lead a robotics team to Houston one semester and help plan a student council event the next, because JPEC makes room for both!
Falcon Focus on High School and College at the Same Time
Here's where Jackson Prep really sets Falcons apart: our Early College model. Because JPEC is located on the campus of Jackson College, students aren't waiting until graduation to start college, they're already there.
Jackson Prep Falcons can:
Take college courses tuition-free, starting well before senior year
Earn career certifications through our partnership with the Jackson Area Career Center
Use a 13th year, if they want it, to finish an associate's degree completely free
Walk across the stage with a high school diploma and a college credential already in hand
Some Falcons use that extra year to combine a vocational path, like automotive technology, with academic clubs like cross country and National Honor Society. Others take dual-enrollment classes right alongside sports and student government. Being a Falcon means never having to pick just one lane: athlete, artist, scholar, or future tradesperson. At JPEC, you can be all of them.
One Campus. Every Falcon's Story.
That's the thread that connects every Falcon, no matter which activities fill their schedule: a school built around the whole student, not just one part of them.
Whether a Falcon's story is about a championship robotics run, a packed gymnasium on game night, or an associate's degree earned before graduation, it all happens on the same campus, with the same small-school support behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Life at JPEC
What sports and activities does JPEC offer?
JPEC offers competitive athletics like basketball, track, and cross country, along with clubs and organizations such as robotics, bucket drumming, student council, pottery, and student interest groups like QSA.
Can a JPEC student play sports and still earn college credit?
Yes. JPEC's competency-based, personalized schedule is designed so students can compete in athletics, join clubs, and take Early College courses, all at the same time.
What makes JPEC's Early College program different?
JPEC is located on the campus of Jackson College, so students take real college courses tuition-free. Many graduate with an associate's degree, a career certification, or both, in addition to their high school diploma.
About Jackson Preparatory & Early College (JPEC)
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.
