Expanding Journalism in Mississippi High Schools
STATEWIDE INITIATIVE
Support This Project
We are helping 18 public high schools in Mississippi establish new journalism programs.
Press Forward Mississippi has partnered with nonprofit The Bell, which operates the Jackson Youth Newsroom, to replicate a New York City-based program that is training and equipping new journalism programs in the city’s public schools.
Together, we have identified 18 schools across the state that are ready to start journalism programs.
The Mississippi High School Journalism Project will provide teacher training, equipment and mentorship to get those programs off the ground. The existing Mississippi Scholastic Press Association network is already positioned to provide long-term support.
MSPA holds statewide conventions twice a year for students and teachers in Mississippi. In 2026, the Mississippi High School Journalism Project expanded MSPA’s annual summer training for teachers, to include the new teachers and bring New York-based journalism-education trainer Katina Paron, MJE.
Mississippi teachers are eager to bring journalism education to their students. Here’s why:
“Students discover that their words have impact and that their stories matter.”
“Students need to know how to analyze sources, recognize bias, and communicate clearly.”
“They are not just regurgitating information, but putting all the pieces together.”
“These skills will serve them well throughout their entire lives.”
“I love seeing them grow into leaders and gain confidence in their work.”
“The impact it has on schools and communities is something I want my students to experience.”
— Statements by teachers on their program application for The Bell’s Mississippi cohort
Schools & Sponsorship Opportunities
Press Forward Mississippi is inviting sponsors to support this project by providing startup grants for our 18 Mississippi public schools:
Amanda Elzy High School (Leflore County)
Byhalia High School (Marshall County)
Calhoun City High School (Calhoun County)
Callaway High School (Hinds County)
Canton High School (Madison County)
Forest Hill High School (Hinds County)
Gautier High School (Jackson County)
Hattiesburg High School (Forrest County)
Jim Hill High School (Hinds County)
Lanier High School (Hinds County)
Magee High School (Simpson County)
Mendenhall High School (Simpson County)
Murrah High School (Hinds County)
Natchez High School (Adams County)
Pascagoula High School (Jackson County)
Provine High School (Hinds County)
Shannon High School (Lee County)
West Union Attendance Center (Union County)
Equip a Classroom: $2,500-$5,000
Equip a student newsroom with a camera and computer, and provide software subscriptions for creating and publishing student work. Teachers can choose what’s most needed and can apply extra funds toward student participation in MSPA’s statewide conventions for student training and awards.
To sponsor a specific school, use “Additional Notes” to specify which one.
See full project details and meet the teachers: bellvoices.org/mississippi
ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE
Today’s teen reporters are tomorrow’s engaged citizens.
Students in high-school newsrooms gain vital skills in communication, civic awareness, media literacy and real-world storytelling. These programs are not available to students at most of Mississippi’s public high schools.
The Mississippi Scholastic Press Association (MSPA) supports a statewide network of journalism programs through conferences, awards and teacher training. But only about 15 percent of Mississippi’s public high schools are part of MSPA, and most do not offer journalism programs at all.
What’s missing is a clear onramp for schools that don’t yet offer journalism, but would like to. Our initiative is a strategic investment to help bridge this gap.
Meet the teachers and learn more about the Mississippi High School Journalism Project: bellvoices.org/mississippi
