Embedded Files
60 Years and Counting! JCCS celebrates its 60th anniversary year!
By Kyra Joseph
JCCS founders Reverend JohnT. Curtis Sr. and his wife Merle Curtis
Coach J.T. Curtis, Head of School, is just a few wins shy of becoming the nation's winningest high school football coach.
Photo Credit: New Orleans Advocate
It all started with one man's dream back in 1962...
Reverend JohnT. Curtis Sr. wanted a school that could represent everything he believed a school should have including a strong spiritual foundation, emphasis on moral and ethical values, a strong academic environment, and inclusion of all. So, with the support of his wife, Merle Curtis, they rented the second floor of Carrollton Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and founded John Curtis Christian School. The rest is history!
On its opening day, the school had only sixteen students, but by the end of the year it grew to over forty students. In 1963, Mr. Curtis moved the school to 10125 Jefferson Highway in River Ridge, where the upper school campus is currently located. In 1985, Mr. Curtis wanted to expand the school so he purchased the Lower School campus at 10931 Jefferson Highway. From its humble beginnings, the school has certainly grown with the current enrollment being a little over 1,000 students ranging from the ages of 15 months through 12th grade.
Reverend John T. Curtis Sr. passed away just three months before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Mrs. Merle Curtis passed away in March of 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Even though the school’s founders are no longer here on Earth with us, their legacy and love of God, family, and country lives on.
John and Merle had 5 children: J.T Curtis Jr., Leon Curtis, Debbie Curtis Eutsler, Kathy Curtis Rickner, and Alicia Curtis Naccari. These 5 individuals currently make up the Board of Directors for the school and have various roles in the day-to-day operations that make the school successful. After his father’s passing in 2005, J.T. Curtis Jr., commonly known as “Coach J.T,” became the Head of School.
Over the years, John Curtis has become well-known on a national, state, and local level for their impressive number of sports championships(82 to be exact); but the core foundations of providing a well-rounded education with quality academics in a Christ-centered family environment have remained strong. Over the past 60 years, traditions have been built and will be carried on for many years to come as the school fulfills its motto, “Building Champions for Life.”
Looking Back...
Mrs. Rickner
What things have changed over the past 60 years? "Technology, more student activities, computerized grades, Google classroom, email communication with parents and students, dual enrollment, improved facilities, and more electives"
What things have remained the same? "Christian principles, Christian staff, Chapel, pledge, and daily prayer"
If you had to pick one favorite memory from school history, what would you pick? "Mr. Curtis Sr. walking down the halls singing. He was one of a kind"
What are your favorite school traditions? "Chapel, senior dinner, faculty Christmas dinner, Homecoming and Sweetheart activities"
What is one thing you want current students to know about the history/founders of the school? "The school was founded by John and Merle Curtis who found God's call to start a Christian School in 1962 based upon the teachings in the Bible. All students were welcome from all faiths or no faith. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis believed they were to plant the seed of Christ and God would do the rest. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis believed in family and love for the country. They wanted JCCS to be an extended family and for students to feel loved and cared for. They took a leap of faith in 1962 and allowed God to do the rest.
Coach J.T. Curtis
What things have changed over the past 60 years? "Phones!"
What things have remained the same? "Student's needs are the same today as they were 60 years ago. They want to know that teachers and administrators care about them as a person. They want to lean and they want guidance and direction in their lives. Even though they don't know or realize it, they want structure and discipline in their lives."
If you had to pick one favorite memory from school history, what would you pick? "The first football state championship in 1975. No one had ever experienced an event like that. To be a part of that excitement and energy from the students and
their families was unbelievable."
What are your favorite school traditions? "Chapel services- it can change peoples lives even when they don't realize it at the time. Pep Rallies, Spaghetti Dinners and other student led events that create memories for a lifetime.In 1977 there was a fire that threatened to shut down the school for a period of time, but parents and students rallied with us to open school in a week. It was unbelievable!"
What is one thing you want current students to know about the history/founders of the school? "First and foremost, that Mr. and Mrs. Curtis knew that God had led them in the starting of a non-denominational Christian school that emphasized students' relationships to God through Christ. They knew education could change people's lives and open opportunities that they were completely unaware of at that time of their lives. They were two people who were committed to each other in the love for each other and wanted to share that love and caring concern with others. In other words, they wanted students to know that they were a part of the Curtis family. More importantly, they were inclusive that way every day with students. Their interaction with students during their high school years provided an example to students that has lasted a lifetime."
Photo credit: New Orleans Advocate
Mrs. Naccari
What things have changed over the past 60 years? "the earlier school start date, the grading scale, the number of grading periods, and technology advancements"
What things have remained the same? "Activities promoting school spirit such as Homecoming, Spaghetti Dinner, Sweetheart, Pep Rallies, Chapels, College Day, Ring Day, and Senior Dinner."
If you had to pick one favorite memory from school history, what would you pick?
"State Pep Rallies"
What are your favorite school traditions?
"Anything that promotes school spirit"
What is one thing you want current students to know about the history/founders of the school? "Mr. and Mrs. Curtis wanted our students to learn the teachings of Jesus and make their decisions based on what Jesus would do. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were true followers of Christ and lived their lives for Jesus."
Report abuse