Jackson Academy is a private school in Jackson, Mississippi founded by Loyal M. Bearrs in 1959. Bearss claimed he established the school to teach using an accelerated phonics program he developed, but the school remained completely racially segregated until 1986, including foregoing tax exemption in 1970 to avoid accepting Black students. Today, the school enrolls nearly 1200 students in grades K3 through 12, and is one of the largest independent schools in Mississippi.