EA Welcomes New Ohio Partner School
c/o Jackson High School
Eloquence Academy extends a formal welcome to Jackson High School!
Located in Massillon, Ohio, within the Jackson Local School District, Jackson High School is a public school serving 1,900 students in grades 9 through 12. 16% of students are minorities (majority Asian and Hispanic), while 84% are white. The school maintains a high level of academic performance—the graduation rate is 97%, and a strong portion of students meet or exceed proficiency in math, reading, and science relative to state averages. Beyond academics, Jackson High offers Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive curriculum including foreign languages, arts, business and technology electives. The school also benefits from a dedicated teaching staff, many with advanced degrees, and a community that supports strong student outcomes and school pride.
The Jackson speech and debate program has a longstanding tradition of excellence. Led by coach Benjamin McGugin, the team consists of a core group of 45 students attending scrimmages sanctioned by the Ohio Speech & Debate Association and occasional national circuit tournaments. Jackson competes in nearly all debate events, but concentrates in Lincoln Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Worlds Schools Debate. In fact, our Speech Competition Coordinator and former Cleveland Regional Director Shakthi Prabhakaran happens to be a graduate of Jackson, where she led the Public Forum Debate squad!
Our Debate-Inspired Classrooms program supports the funding or logistical needs of K-12, public, independent, magnet, charter, boarding, and homeschools in developing their own debate programs. Jackson will receive copies of our flagship curriculum to integrate into their afterschool club and Humanities classrooms. Shakthi will help manage the partnership alongside Benjamin, bringing her firsthand experience, insight, and love for the school. Our goal is to expand the scope of the team, both in terms of student participation and the tournament roster, by 50%.
We are especially excited to partner with Jackson as our first partner school in Ohio.
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Eloquence Academy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and 509(a)(2) public charity dedicated to increasing equitable academic debate opportunities for rural and historically underserved students. The Academy offers debate classes, summer camps, workshops, tournaments, in-school programs, and online resources for 2,200+ students across 35 states and 15 countries. Ultimately, EA aims to prepare youth for college readiness, career engagement, and community impact through the transferable skills gained from debate. Follow EA on Instagram and YouTube at @eloquenceacademy.
