Cape News

The Jackson R-2 School District has introduced a new program called IGNITE, announced at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast on March 21, 2025. This initiative is designed to offer profession-based learning opportunities for students at Jackson High School, allowing them to explore various career paths while acquiring industry-specific knowledge and practical experience.

The IGNITE program will be available to selected juniors and seniors as part of the national Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) network. Out of fifty-five applicants from Jackson High School, thirty students were chosen to participate in this internship-like experience. For the 2025-2026 school year, the focus will be on education and health care career paths.

Saint Francis Healthcare System has collaborated with the school district to provide clinical and classroom experiences for students interested in health care careers. These students will train on-site at Saint Francis Medical Center under professional supervision.

Students aiming for a career in education will gain hands-on experience by working alongside current teachers within the district. This "grow your own" initiative encourages students to consider future teaching roles at their alma mater while gaining site-based experience akin to what they would receive in higher education institutions.

The CAPS programs are recognized nationally for immersing high school students in professional environments where they can use real-world tools and learn from industry mentors. Participants earn advanced high school credits and potentially college credits through partnerships like that with Southeast Missouri State University.

Additionally, students involved in IGNITE will acquire Market Value Assets (MVA), which are skills valued by industries that facilitate a smoother transition into further education or employment. Students possessing an MVA upon graduation are more likely to pursue further training or degrees and become reliable employees.

Ashley Raney, a teacher at Jackson R-2, has been appointed as the Coordinator of Career Learning for the IGNITE CAPS program. Her responsibilities include overseeing curriculum development, student engagement, maintaining business partnerships, and managing market-value asset opportunities.

Dr. Scott Smith expressed enthusiasm about launching the IGNITE CAPS program: “We are excited to begin the Jackson R-2 IGNITE CAPS program next year. We know that real-world workforce experience will provide our students with an advantage in post-secondary education, pursuit of advanced training, or better prepare them for the workplace." He also acknowledged the partnership with Saint Francis Medical Center as well as contributions from district teachers in providing experiential learning opportunities.

For additional details about the IGNITE CAPS program at Jackson R-2 School District, inquiries can be directed to info@jr2mail.org or their website.