Jackson Central-Merry is an important part of the history of Jackson, TN. It was formed when Merry High School, the city’s historically Black high school, and Jackson High School, a high school that served White students, merged in 1970 as a result of a desegregation lawsuit under the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. The name of the newly formed school paid homage to Jackson High as well as Merry High, which was named after its founder and principal, Austin Raymond Merry. A strong advocate for education, Austin Merry was well-known for making the trek to Nashville by horseback to ask the state legislature for funding for all local schools.

JCM existed as a high school from 1970 until its closure in 2016. During many of those years, the school was well-known for strong academics, powerful athletics, and a rich fine arts program. JCM has a passionate group of supporters, including thousands of alumni, and the closure was a sad milestone for many.

As a result of a public-private community partnership, the original Merry High School building on Lane Avenue was renovated and reopened in 2021. The newly reopened school became JCM Middle and High and currently serves grades 6-12. The rebirth of JCM has provided the community and the school’s supporters with a renewed hope for the future of Jackson. With a focus on building a welcoming family environment, JCM students are given the opportunity to be an important part of the next chapter in the school’s rich legacy.