Our School

Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School, formerly Southside Comprehensive High School, is presently in its 41st year of operation. The school opened in the fall of 1985 following the merger of Hoke Smith High School (1947–1985) and Franklin D. Roosevelt High School (1947–1985). Designed as a comprehensive high school, the original campus integrated seven Career and Technical Education programs alongside its academic offerings.

Mr. Charles Hawk served as the school’s first principal from 1985 to 1991, followed by Mr. Joseph Carpenter from 1991 to 1993. During Mr. Carpenter’s tenure, the school established a significant partnership with General Electric (GE), which supported tutoring, mentoring, academic incentives, attendance initiatives, family technology resources, and scholarships. Dr. William Shepherd served as principal from 1993 to 2003, and under his leadership, the school was named a Georgia Public School of Excellence in 1999.

Dr. Shirlene B. Carter served as principal from 2003 to 2012. During her tenure, the GE partnership was restructured to emphasize teacher and curriculum development, student enrichment and incentives, family and community involvement, and program management. Although the five-year GE grant concluded in 2007, its investment contributed to programs and initiatives that continued to influence the school.

During the 2007–2008 academic year, as part of the Atlanta Public Schools High School Transformation Initiative, stakeholders proposed renaming Southside Comprehensive High School in honor of Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr., Atlanta’s first African-American mayor and the first African-American mayor of a major Southern city. On June 16, 2008, the Atlanta Board of Education officially approved the name Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School.

As part of the transformation initiative, the school initially operated through several Small Learning Communities, including Engineering and Early College, Information Technology, and Fine Arts and Media Communications.

In the fall of 2012, Dr. Stephanie Johnson became principal and led a significant period of school transformation. Under her leadership, Jackson strengthened academic expectations, expanded student opportunities, and adopted the motto “Motivate, Educate, Accelerate!” The school’s College and Career Ready Performance Index increased from 53.8 in 2012 to 76 in 2016, while athletic offerings expanded to include programs such as lacrosse, cross country, swimming, and golf. Dr. Johnson was named the 2016 Atlanta Public Schools Principal of the Year and Georgia Principal of the Year and was later recognized as a finalist for the 2017 National Principal of the Year.

During this period of transformation, Jackson also underwent a $20 million renovation from 2012 to 2014, resulting in a three-level, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve approximately 1,500 students. The school transitioned from the Small Learning Communities model back to a unified comprehensive high school.

Jackson reached another major academic milestone in 2013 when it became an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and the second high school in Atlanta Public Schools to offer the IB Diploma Programme. The school expanded its Advanced Placement, IB, world language, and other advanced academic offerings and, in 2017, added the IB Career-related Programme.

In 2017, Dr. Adam Danser succeeded Dr. Johnson and continued Jackson’s emphasis on academic achievement, college and career readiness, and the growth of its International Baccalaureate programs. During his tenure, Jackson continued developing its identity as a rigorous, comprehensive high school while expanding opportunities for students across academics, athletics, career pathways, and extracurricular programs.

In July 2026, Dr. Kimberly Latchman was selected to serve as principal, marking the next chapter in her longstanding service to the Jackson community. After joining Atlanta Public Schools in 2012 as a teacher, Dr. Latchman later began her journey at Jackson as a Math Instructional Coach before advancing to Assistant Principal, Interim Principal, and ultimately Principal. Her progression reflects a deep understanding of the school, its students, and its community. Under her leadership, Jackson continues its tradition of excellence while building upon the legacy established throughout its more than four decades of service.

Throughout its history, Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School has benefited from strong community partnerships that have expanded opportunities for students. From its beginnings as Southside Comprehensive High School to its transformation into Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School, the school’s history reflects a continued commitment to growth, innovation, opportunity, and excellence. Each generation of students, educators, leaders, families, and community partners has contributed to a legacy that continues to shape Jackson’s identity and its future.