J. A. Fair Systems Magnet High School

J. A. Fair High School (FHS) is a four-year public high school located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. J. A. Fair is one of five comprehensive high schools of the Little Rock School District. Beginning the 2014 school year, J. A. Fair is placed under academic distress, changing its name from J. A. Fair Systems Magnet High School to J. A. Fair High School of College and Career Academies.

Fair was originally was a part of the Pulaski County Special School District. It opened in August 1982 (with additions in 1983, 1984 and a classroom and cafeteria addition in 2004) and is named for James Augustus "Gus" Fair. The school operated as a junior/senior high school (grades 7-12) from 1982 to 1987. It was annexed by the Little Rock School District and converted to a senior high school in 1987. In 2000, J. A. Fair became a magnet school and offers magnet programs in environmental science, systems engineering/information sciences and medical studies. The school is divided into academies: The Academy of Environmental Science, Enterprise Mobile Network Management Academy, and The Academy of Sports Medicine, along with a Freshman Academy.

History

James Augustus Fair coached, taught and served as principal during his long tenure as an educator, mostly in the Pulaski County Special School District. He also was elected to the PCSSD School Board after his retirement.

With construction completed in the spring of 2004, the school has three new state-of-the-art labs for the magnet programs, along with two new classrooms, a new band room, and an expanded cafeteria.

J. A. Fair High School was established in 1981, with construction completed and doors open to students in August 1982. The school was named for James Augustus Fair, an educator, who spent his career as a biology teacher, administrator and after retirement served on the Pulaski County School Board.

From its opening in 1982 through June 1987, FHS served as a junior/senior high school (grades 7-12) for the Pulaski County Special School District. In August 1987, FHS opened as a senior high school for the Little Rock School District, one of 14 schools annexed to enhance desegregation efforts. FHS became a magnet school in the fall of 2000.

Academics

The school features three magnet programs: Environmental Science, Information Science & Systems Engineering, and Medical Science, along with a Freshman Academy, High Schools That Work (HSTW), SECME. A variety of academic programs (which include 15 AP courses and a Community Based Instruction Program for students with moderate to severe disabilities), sports, club, and activity offerings.

Vision Statement

Every student will achieve academically, emotionally, and socially at the high levels necessary to become adaptive, productive learners and citizens in the 21st century.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of J.A. Fair High School to create an environment that actively engages all students through a relevant and rigorous curriculum. This effort will be supported through high expectations and working collectively and collaboratively with faculty, staff, parents, students, and community support systems.

Extracurricular activities

The school mascot and athletic emblem is the War Eagle with the school colors of silver, blue (navy), and white.

Athletics

Between the years of 2012–14, the J.A. Fair War Eagles participated in the 6A Classification within the 7A/6A South Conference as administered by the Arkansas Activities Association. Due to the enrollment count of J.A. Fair in the fall of 2014, they were reclassified within the 5A Central Conference for the 2014-2016 school years. The War Eagles competes in football, volleyball, cross country (boys/girls), bowling (boys/girls), swimming (boys/girls), basketball (boys/girls), soccer (boys only), baseball, softball, and track and field (boys/girls).^[2]

• Football: The War Eagles Football team won state football 5A championship in 1999 going on to defeat Cabot High School 41-0 continuing an undeafeated season with a 14-0 record. The school placed 11 players on the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All Metro team following the victory led by Dameon Ashford, Tye Forte(QB), Faquan Harris, Gustavo Pena(K) and future NFL player Cedric Cobbs(RB).

• Basketball: The War Eagles Football team won state basketball 5A championship in 2000 going on to defeat Fort Smith Southside 49-35 completing an undeafeated season of 31-0. The War Eagles won another state championship in 2003 led by senior Vince Hunter who won the MVP of the Class 4A state tournament, he averaged 15.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 8.0 blocked shots a game as a senior.

• Cross Country: The War Eagles boys cross country team won a state cross country championship in fall 2001.

• Tennis: The War Eagles boys tennis team won a state tennis championship in spring 1998.

• Track and field: The War Eagles boys track team won a state track championship in spring 1999 led by All-American Nominee Kyle Cleveland.

Clubs and traditions

Fair students may participate or be selected for a variety of clubs and organizations including Art Club, Band, Beta Club, Choir, FBLA, FCCLA, National Honor Society, Fire Marshals, Quiz Bowl, Student Council, and Yearbook.

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for J.A. Fair High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 8 February 2013. 
2. ↑ "School Profile, J.A. Fair High School". Arkansas Activities Association. Retrieved 8 February 2013. 

External links

• Official website