West Jackson Elementary School has been named a 2025-26 National BETA School of Merit, the organization announced Friday. 

WJES earned the honor due to its dedication to academic excellence and commitment to celebrating students' achievements. In order to be recognized as a School of Merit, schools must offer the BETA Club to all eligible grades, providing leadership development and service involvement that strengthens and builds students.

WJES joins seven JCSS schools that earned the BETA School of Merit for the 2024-25 school year. Those schools were East Jackson Elementary, Gum Springs Elementary, Maysville Elementary, North Jackson Elementary and South Jackson Elementary. East Jackson Middle School and East Jackson High School were also recognized.

The National BETA organization is the largest, independent, educational youth organization in America, and emphasizes academic achievement, character, leadership and service by providing opportunities and experiences to impact members, their schools, and communities across the world.