Paxon School for Advanced Studies

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Paxon School for Advance Studies
Established 1954
Type Magnet High School
Principal Carol Daniels
Staff 107
Students 1,500
Location Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Campus Urban
Colors Blue and Gold
Nickname Paxon
Mascot Golden Eagles
Website [1]



Paxon School for Advanced Studies (PSAS) is one of three International Baccalaureate schools (the others being Stanton College Preparatory School, and Jean Ribault Senior High School) in Duval County, Florida.Stanton is considered their rival. The two schools are competitive in sports and academics. According to the College Board's Advanced Placement Report to the Nation, Paxon high school has one of the strongest math and science AP programs in the state of Florida. Because of this outstanding accomplishment, Paxon is one of a very select group of schools in our state invited to apply for for the Siemens Advanced Placement High School Award. Only about 10-15 schools per state have been invited to apply.

Contents

[edit] History

The school was built on the westide in an area where mostly African-Americans reside in 1954. Before, it was Paxon Air Field, where Bessie Coleman, the first African-American female pilot, was killed in a plane crash. The school was originally named Paxon Field Junior-Senior High School and contained 7th through 12 grades until 1957, when Paxon Junior High was built nearby. Paxon became a college preparatory school and an International Baccalaureate school in 1996. Paxon is Stantons' rival school due to their location and academic performance. In 2004 Paxon Senior High School was ranked number 3 in best schools in the nation while Stanton Prep. was number 1.

[edit] Facts

  • Ranked as the #28 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2006
  • Ranked as the #7 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2003 and 2005
  • Ranked as the #3 public school in the United States by Newsweek in 2004
  • Colors: Blue and Gold
  • Mascot: Eagle
  • Motto: "Caritas, Constantia, Excellentia, Integritas"
  • Newspaper: The Eagle, selected as the #1 high-school paper in Jacksonville by the Florida Times-Union in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Headed by editor GRH.
  • Football Stadium: Pajic Stadium
  • Army JROTC Detachment: Golden Eagle Battalion (Honor Unit with Distinction)

[edit] Faculty and Staff

  • Cheryl Hough, Vice Principal
  • James Veal, Assistant Principal of Student Services (Dean)
  • Andrea Ashley, Head of Guidance
  • Mary Spivey, IB Coordinator
  • Nan Harrington, Athletic Director
  • William Keels, Science department chair
  • Marilyn Olin, English department chair
  • (R) Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Kennerly, Senior Army Instructor
  • (R) Seargent First Class John Haight, Army Instructor
  • Guidance: Betty Bennett and Judy Hygema

[edit] Notable Alumni

  • Former teacher Mae Boren Axton was instrumental in launching Elvis Presley's singing career by interviewing him on the radio in Jacksonville on July 28, 1955. She is probably more well-known, however, for later co-writing Presley's first #1 hit song, "Heartbreak Hotel."
  • Gary Pajcic
  • Skylar Carlson
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