Our Story

Jewel M. Sumer High School (SHS), home of the Cowboys, is a public, rural school located in the small community of Kentwood, LA. SHS graduated its first senior class in 1981. It existed as a small rural school housing grades seven through 12 in northern Tangipahoa Parish until 2006 when Jewel M. Sumner Middle School was created which houses grades six through eight. Since 2006, Jewel M. Sumner High School has housed grades nine through twelve. The creation of Jewel M. Sumner High School brought the communities of Chesbrough and Spring Creek together which established the foundation for the school's growth.

 

Jewel M. Sumner High school currently serves  478 students in grades nine through twelve. Since Hurricane Katrina, our enrollment has steadily increased. Students have a rich curriculum and extra-curricular offerings available to them. Our curriculum provides students the opportunity to participate in courses that will support their chosen career paths. SHS offers Areas of Concentrations in Agriculture, Performing Arts, Administrative Support, Advanced Studies, General Studies, Nutrition and Food, Culinary Arts, management of Family Resources, Information Systems, Welding and Engineering.

 

SHS offers rigorous course work. Students who choose to do so may take Dual Enrollment courses under the instruction of an on-site instructor as well as professors from area universities  and technical and community colleges. Students also have the opportunity to earn Industry Based Certifications (IBCs) in Microsoft Office Specialist, Internet and Computing Core (IC3), Certified Internet Webmaster, Customer Service, and ServSafe.

We at Jewel M. Sumner School believe in the overall development of the total student. This belief requires that we provide learning experiences that will allow the student to grow intellectually, emotionally, culturally, socially, physically, and morally, in order that he or she may achieve self-actualization and become a productive member of our dynamic democratic society.

Although our students are from divergent groups, we recognize that each individual possesses unique characteristics, traits, and potential. We, therefore, believe that the educational process should foster effective, wholesome attitudes and behavior aimed at achieving self-motivation and self-discipline and developing a positive self-image.

We believe that a flexible and functional curriculum should include a variety of courses in academic, vocational, and physical areas, as well as individualized programs of study for special needs students. Implementation of the curriculum is further enhanced by extra-curricular activities, guidance programs, health services, and the cooperative effort of the home, the school, and community.

Ultimately, recognizing that education is a continuing process, we strive to equip our students with the necessary skill, technology, and concepts, to continue learning, understanding, and adjusting to an ever-changing society.