Jackson Public School District hosted its annual college fair at the Environmental Learning Center and said it invited elementary and middle school students for the first time to participate.

"This is the first year we've invited our elementary school kids and our middle school kids," a JPS staff member said. The district said the fair gathered representatives from major universities and local colleges to help scholars picture their next steps after high school.

A student attendee said visiting the fair "opened the eyes for students. Even though I know I was going to Jackson State, it still helped me to go and see what other schools and scholarships seem they had to offer." District staff tied the fair to the district’s strategic commitment called "strong finish," saying the event brings college recruiters to one place for seniors to start conversations about postsecondary options.

The transcript did not list participating colleges beyond a student’s reference to Jackson State nor did it provide a roster of scholarship partners. The district provided its website and social channels for families seeking further information.