Paxon School for Advanced Studies

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Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Motto| "Caritas, Constantia, Excellentia, Integritas"
Type| Magnet school—College Preparatory
Established| 1954
Principal| Royce Turner, Ed.D
Students| 1,285 (2023-2024)[1]
Address|

3239 Norman E Thagard Blvd

Jacksonville

Florida

USA

Colors| Navy Blue █ and Gold █
Nickname| PSAS; Pax
Mascot| Golden Eagle
Website| www.duvalschools.org/psas

Paxon School for Advanced Studies (PSAS) is one of four International Baccalaureate senior high schools (the others being Stanton College Preparatory School, Wolfson High School, and Terry Parker High School) in Duval County, Florida, US. According to the College Board's Advanced Placement Report,[2] Paxon has one of the strongest math and science Advanced Placement programs in the state of Florida, and is one of a group of Florida schools invited to apply for the Siemens Advanced Placement High School Award.[3][4] Only ten to fifteen schools per state are invited to apply.[4][3][2] Some valedictorians have been accepted to the United States Naval Academy and different Ivy League schools.[citation needed]

## History

[edit]

Paxon High School was originally named Paxon High School when it was built in 1954. It included 7th through 12 grades until 1957, when Paxon Junior High was built across the street. 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 be Stanton College Preparatory School, another Jacksonville IB school. In 2008, Paxon School for Advanced Studies was ranked number 8 of the 100 best high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine; 17th in 2007, 28th in 2006, 7th in 2005 and 3rd in 2003.[5]

The site where the school was built was Paxon Air Field, where Bessie Coleman was killed in a plane accident in 1926. Coleman was the first African American (male or female) to become an airplane pilot, and the first American of any race or gender to hold an international pilot license.[6] Paxon Field was Jacksonville's first airfield, with the exception of the beaches. The Navy used the (grass) airfield for training during World War II, but eventually declared the site excess in January 1947.

## Magnet program

[edit]

The Paxon School faculty consists of over 100 teachers whose awards include district Teacher of the Year and National Board Certification.[7][2] The 88-acre (360,000 m2) campus includes athletic facilities, a swimming pool, a professional grade television production studio, science labs, and a theater.[8] Sports teams include football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming and diving, golf, wrestling, weightlifting, tennis, and bowling, many of which have competed and placed at district and regional levels.[9] Social clubs include the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Youth Leadership for Change. Since becoming an academic magnet, Paxon SAS has had three principals as of 2024[update], James A. Williams (Founder) 1996–2006, Carol H. Daniels 2006–2009, and Royce Turner since 2009.[10]

## International baccalaureate

[edit]

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program was initially formed in 1968. Paxon established an IB program in 1995, was approved in 1997, and had its first graduating IB class in 2000. The four-year program consists of two parts: Pre-IB and IB. Pre-IB prepares students for the rigorous two year, pre-university liberal arts course of study.

## U.S Army JROTC

[edit]

Army JROTC Detachment: Golden Eagle Battalion was a recipient of the "Honor Unit with Distinction" recognition [11] (From 1993 to 2019).

## Drill Team

[edit]

The Golden Eagle Battalion Drill Team comprises Armed, Unarmed, Exhibition and Color Guard drill for both Squads and Platoons.

* Area 1 Drill Champions 2015, 2016, 2022

## Swimming pool

[edit]

The school has an outdoor salt water pool which is used by the athletic teams. It becomes a free public pool operated by the City of Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department during the summer months. This is in addition to the pool located on the roof.

## Sports

[edit]

Basketball, baseball, football, flag football, volleyball, bowling, cross country, track and field, soccer, cheerleading, softball, tennis, golf, swim and dive, lacrosse, wrestling, pickleball, Turkish oil wrestling, jousting, snowboarding, shuffleboard, and speed-eating.[12]

## Honors

[edit]

* Ranked as the #35 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2013[13]
* Ranked as the #23 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2012[14]
* Ranked as the #170 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2011[15]
* Ranked as the #6 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2009[16]
* Ranked as the #8 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2008[5]
* 2008 Gold Medal winner, ranked as 30th best High School is the US by US News & World Report[17]
* Ranked as the #29 public school in the United States by U. S. News Magazine in 2007 [2]
* Ranked as the #17 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2007[18]
* Ranked as the #28 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2006[19]
* Ranked as the #7 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2005[20]
* Ranked as the #3 public school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine in 2003[21]
* P.S. 75 of Duval County Public Schools [citation needed]
* Newspaper: The Eagle, selected as the #1 high-school paper in Jacksonville by the Florida Times-Union in 2004, 2005, and 2006. [citation needed]
* Football Stadium: Paxon Stadium (main rivals are the Stanton College Prep Blue Devils)
* Freedom Award Winner [citation needed]
* The graduating class of 2005 was the largest graduating class ever to be seen by the school. [citation needed]
* Paxon's land area is the largest of any school in Duval County[citation needed]
* Paxon's CEEB (SAT/ACT) code is 100780

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Mae Boren Axton was a former teacher. He co-authored Elvis Presley's first #1 hit song, "Heartbreak Hotel".[22]
* James Barney Cobb Jr., professionally known as J.R. Cobb, guitarist, songwriter and member of the Classics IV and the Atlanta Rhythm Section, graduated from Paxon High School, while in the care of the Baptist Children's Home in Jacksonville.[23]
* Norris Coleman (born 1961), NBA forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, 1994 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP
* Robert Nix, songwriter, record producer and drummer for The Candymen, Roy Orbison's backing band and founding member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Graduated from Paxon High School with J.R. Cobb. Co-wrote all of the songs on Champagne Jam, one of Atlanta Rhythm Section's most successful albums, which he also co-produced.[24]
* Brothers Gary and Steve Pajcic established a million-dollar endowment at the University of North Florida to pay the full tuition of any graduate of their alma mater, Paxon High School, who was accepted and enrolled at UNF.[25] In 2001, Steve Pajcic donated US$250,000 to endow a scholarship for Paxon School students at Princeton University.[25] The football field at Paxon now carries their name[citation needed].
* Antwaune Ponds, former NFL linebacker[26]
* Ron Sellers, former NFL wide receiver[27]
* Norman E. Thagard \- graduated from Paxon in 1961 and went on to become an astronaut for NASA. The street upon which Paxon is located now carries his name (Norman E. Thagard Blvd.).[28]
* Ryan Lankford, former NFL & CFL wide receiver

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "PAXON SCHOOL/ADVANCED STUDIES". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
2. ^ a b c d https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/florida/districts/duval-county-public-schools/paxon-school-advanced-studies-4962 [bare URL]
3. ^ a b "Siemens Competition". Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity. November 19, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
4. ^ a b https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Siemens_Award_for_Advanced_Place [bare URL]
5. ^ a b "Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews".
6. ^ "Biography: Bessie Coleman". National Women's History Museum. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
7. ^ "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for PAXON SCHOOL/ADVANCED STUDIES". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
8. ^ "Duval Schools". Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
9. ^ "Paxon School For Advanced Studies (Jacksonville, FL) Sports - Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, and more". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
10. ^ "Dr. Royce L. Turner - Principal". Paxon School For Advanced Studies. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
11. ^ "JROTC Receives "Honor Unit With Distinction" Award for 30th Year Consecutively". The Eagle Talon. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
12. ^ "Athletics". Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
13. ^ "America's Best High Schools - Newsweek and the Daily Beast". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
14. ^ "America's Best High Schools 2012 - the Daily Beast". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on May 21, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
15. ^ "America's Best High Schools - the Daily Beast". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
16. ^ "America's Top Public High Schools - Newsweek.com". www.newsweek.com.
17. ^ US News & World Report
18. ^ "Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews".
19. ^ "America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com". www.newsweek.com.
20. ^ "America's Top Public High Schools 2008 | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com". www.newsweek.com.
21. ^ "Newsweek Magazine: The Top of the Class by Jay Mathews".
22. ^ Guralnick, Peter (2012). Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley. Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316206778.
23. ^ Janet Jernigan, J.R. Cobb shares history; Monticello News, August 19, 2010. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
24. ^ Luc Brunot, Interview with Robert Nix, Bands of Dixie Magazine, November–December 2008. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
25. ^ a b "Current and Recent News". www.fldoe.org. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
26. ^ "Antwaune Ponds bio". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
27. ^ "Ron Sellers bio". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
28. ^ Strickland, Sandy (July 12, 2000). "Paxon gets 'walk of fame'". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.

## External links

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* Multi-Class website[usurped]
* Class of '59 web site
* Class of '64 web site
* Class of '65 web site
* Class of '68 web site
* Paxon Cheerleaders web site
* Paxon School for Advanced Studies webpage
* Duval County Public Schools website

* v
* t
* e

Duval County Public Schools

High schools|

* Douglas Anderson
* Atlantic Coast
* Baldwin
* Darnell Cookman
* Englewood
* First Coast
* Fletcher
* Jackson
* Mandarin
* Terry Parker
* Paxon
* Peterson
* Raines
* Randolph
* Ribault
* Riverside
* Sandalwood
* Stanton
* Westside
* Ed White
* Wolfson

Middle schools|

* Arlington
* Baldwin
* Eugene Butler
* Darnell-Cookman
* Jefferson Davis
* Alfred I. DuPont
* Duncan Fletcher
* John E. Ford
* Fort Caroline
* Matthew Gilbert
* Highlands
* James Weldon Johnson
* Kernan
* Kirby Smith
* Lake Shore
* Landmark
* Julia Landon College Prep
* LaVilla School of the Arts
* Mandarin
* Mayport
* Northwestern
* Oceanway
* Paxon
* Jean Ribault
* Southside
* Joseph Stilwell
* J.E.B. Stuart
* Twin Lakes Academy

Elementary schools|

* Abess Park
* Alimacani
* Arlington
* Arlington Heights
* Atlantic Beach
* J. Allen Axson
* Bank of America Learning Academy
* Bartram Springs
* Bayview
* Beauclerc
* Biltmore
* Biscayne
* Brentwood
* Don Brewer
* Brookview
* Richard L. Brown
* George W. Carver
* Cedar Hills
* Central Riverside
* Chaffee Trail
* Chets Creek
* Chimney Lakes
* Crown Point
* Crystal Springs
* Lola M. Culver
* R. V. Daniels
* Dinsmore
* Englewood
* Enterprise Learning Academy
* Saint Clair Evans Academy
* Joseph Finegan
* Fishweir
* John E. Ford
* Fort Caroline
* Garden City
* Greenfield
* Greenland Pines
* Gregory Drive
* Hendricks Avenue
* Highlands
* Hogan-Spring Glen
* Holiday Hill
* Samuel A. Hull
* Hyde Grove
* Hyde Park
* Stonewall Jackson
* Jacksonville Beach
* Jacksonville Heights
* Thomas Jefferson
* Mamie Agnes Jones
* Justina Road
* Kernan Trail
* Martin Luther King
* Kings Trail
* Henry F. Kite
* Lake Forest
* Lake Lucina
* S. P. Livingston
* Lone Star
* Long Branch
* Loretto
* Love Grove
* John Love
* Mandarin Oaks
* Sallye B. Mathis
* Mayport
* Merrill Road
* Annie R. Morgan
* Neptune Beach
* New Berlin
* Normandy Village
* North Shore
* Norwood
* Oak Hill
* Oceanway
* Ortega
* Parkwood Heights
* Rufus E. Payne
* Rutledge H. Pearson
* Pickett
* Pine Estates
* Pine Forest
* Pinedale
* Ramona Boulevard
* Reynolds Lane
* Andrew A. Robinson
* Sabal Palm
* San Jose
* San Mateo
* San Pablo
* Seabreeze
* Louis Sheffield
* Southside Estates
* Spring Park
* John N. C. Stockton
* Sadie T. Tillis
* Timucuan
* Susie E. Tolbert
* Twin Lakes Academy
* Ruth N. Upson
* Venetia
* Wesconnett
* West Jacksonville
* West Riverside
* Whitehouse
* Windy Hill
* Woodland Acres
* Carter G. Woodson

Alternative schools|

* Grand Park Center
* Marine Science Education Center
* Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Education Center

Exceptional student centers|

* Alden Road Exceptional Student Center
* Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center
* Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center

Charter schools|

* Global Outreach Charter Academy
* School of Integrated Academics Tech
* SOS Academy - Middle
* SOS Academy - High
* Wayman Academy of the Arts
* Pathway Academy
* River City Science Academy

30°20′40″N 81°43′27″W﻿ / ﻿30.344317°N 81.724028°W﻿ / 30.344317; -81.724028

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

Geographic|

* NCES

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