JONESBORO, Ark. — The motto for Jonesboro Public Schools is ‘A Legacy of Excellence,’ and from the arts to academics, the district hopes to create more opportunities for its students than ever before.
Superintendent Misty Doyle told NEA Report that the district has an opportunity for all students. She stated that the goal is to provide every student with the opportunity to succeed.
“It’s important to me because I want to ensure that in everything we do, we build on that legacy,” Doyle said. “We believe we do that by empowering every student to learn at high levels and inspire lifelong success.”
Many of those opportunities are in the academic realm.
The Leadership Magnet School was recently recognized by The Solutions Tree as a Promising Practices Professional Learning Community at Work, for raising student success levels while creating a collaborative culture.
Principal Amanda Sanders shared how honored the school was to achieve the honor, adding that it reflected the work of teachers and staff as well as the support of families and communities.
“Being a PLC is about more than a title—it’s about people working together with a shared vision for scholar growth and success,” Sanders said. “Our adults model the importance of learning every day, showing our scholars that growth is a lifelong journey. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, and even more excited about the future we are building for our scholars.”
The International Studies Magnet Elementary School also celebrated an honor this year after being named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence New Lighthouse School. The process assists schools with guidance and support, with a special focus on low socioeconomic, culturally diverse, and low-performing communities. It’s a five-year designation that the school achieved through several focuses, including giving students a voice with the student government and similar activities.
However, Jonesboro’s school system is doing more than just academics. Some of their most exciting recent achievements have been in the arts.
This year, the Academies at JHS celebrated their spring musical, Hadestown, being nominated across a number of categories in the 2025 Orpheum Theatre Awards. The production won awards for Outstanding Costumes, Outstanding Sound Design & Execution, and Outstanding Supporting Actor – Kadarius Williams.
“Hadestown: The Teen Edition” is a reimagined version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, adapted for younger performers. The production retells the Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone, weaving folk, jazz, and blues-inspired music into a story of love, hope, and resilience.
School administrators are also very excited about next year’s musical, Chicago. Originally planned as the spring musical in 2020, COVID-19 sidelined those plans.
“This spring it will be our chance to step into the roaring twenties and get ready for ‘all that jazz!’ The Academies at JHS is bringing the glitz, glamour, and scandal of Chicago to the stage—complete with the ‘razzle dazzle’ ✨ that will leave you spellbound!”
Another notable achievement within the arts community came to the Jonesboro Symphonic Winds, the JHS band. In April 2025, for the first time, they won the Arkansas State Concert Competition and were named 2024-25 6A State Champions.
In his final year as band director for the school, Grant Harbison described it to local media as an emotional experience. He said his father was in the band, his mother taught band, and band influenced him throughout his life. He said he had formed a bond with his band students.
“We didn’t set out to win, we didn’t set out to compete. We set out to have the greatest performance possible,” he told JRN.
The superintendent said it was a historic “first-ever” moment for the band.
“They continue to receive superior ratings year after year,” Doyle said. “Currently, we have 300 students in grades 7 through 12. They’re raising money currently for their championship rings for the students who were part of that. The band booster is continuing to seek funding to help support students in getting their rings.”
At the end of our interview, we surprised the superintendent with the news that, thanks to the Ramsons Arts Partnership, a $1,000 donation would be made toward the fundraising effort for the students.
“In an era when parents have more choice than ever in where they send their child, we want to ensure that if they choose JPS, they don’t have to seek other places to find the right fit, whether that be from our magnet school program, academy status, or extracurricular activities,” Doyle said. “We believe every student has a place.”
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Yet the school district is rated “D” by the state.
I love this article.