JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Community School’s (JHCS) Board of Directors voted to add a middle school with grades 6 through 8 to the school’s campus for the fall of 2026.
“JHCS is eager to welcome middle school students, and we are very excited for this next phase in our school’s history,” JHCS Head of School Ted Smith told Buckrail. “We are currently in the process of identifying a space for the middle school, and the high school will remain in our current location.”
According to the JHCS, the school has seen tremendous growth in student enrollment over the past two decades. This fall, JHCS began the new academic year with its highest enrollment of 115 students. Over the past 18 months, the Board of Directors and Smith have been exploring how the addition of a middle school will impact JHCS and the Jackson community.
“The Board and administration are confident that the JHCS mission will translate well for middle school students,” JHCS said in the announcement. “While some approaches would differ, ‘challenging academics,’ ‘personal relationships,’ ‘initiative’ and ‘integrity’ are as important for early teenage learners as they are for young adults on the verge of leaving for college.”
JHCS will now begin the middle school expansion process and look to hire a Middle School Director.
“While our team forges ahead with plans for welcoming middle school students and faculty in 2026, our primary focus will remain on our current students and ensuring that our high school continues to flourish,” JHCS said in a statement.
