Paxon School for Advanced Studies

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Paxon School for Advance Studies

Established 1954
Type Magnet school
Principal Carol Daniels
Staff 107
Students 1,500
Location Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Campus Urban
Colors Blue and Gold
Nickname P-Dub
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 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 Advanced Placement programs in the state of Florida. Because of this outstanding accomplishment, Paxon is one of a select group of Florida schools invited to apply for for the Siemens Advanced Placement High School Award. Only about 10-15 schools per state have been invited to apply.

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[edit] History

The school was built on Jacksonville's Westside in 1954. Before the school was built, the land was the location of Paxon Air Field. The school was originally named Paxon Field Junior-Senior High School and contained 7th through 12 grades. In 1957, Paxon Junior High was built across the street, and the older building became simply, Paxon High School. 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 Stanton College Preparatory School, another Jacksonville IB school. In 2004 Paxon School for Advanced Studies was ranked number 3 in best schools in the nation.[citation needed]

[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.
  • Football Stadium: Pajic Stadium
  • Army JROTC Detachment: Golden Eagle Battalion (Honor Unit with Distinction)
  • Freedom Award Winner

[edit] Faculty and Staff

  • Cheryl Hough, Vice Principal
  • Dennis Hodges and Mary Abboud, Assistant Principals of Student Services (Deans)
  • Andrea Ashley, Head of Guidance
  • Mary Breitenbach, IB Coordinator
  • Nanny Harrington, Athletic Director
  • William Keels, Science department chair
  • Marilyn Olin, English department chair
  • (R) Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Kennerly, Senior Army Instructor
  • (R) Command Sergeant Major Archbold, 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