Janice Jackson is the principal of Al Raby High School for Community and Environment, a small, student-centered high school that is part of a growing network of Chicago small high schools. Opened in September 2004 with one hundred twenty-five ninth graders, today the school has approximately one hundred forty students per grade level in grades nine through twelve. Ms. Jackson was named its principal in May 2004.

From 2002 to 2004, Ms. Jackson served as the planning team director for the Al Raby School, helping to write the proposal for the new school. She was also a teacher and freshman team leader in the Chicago Public Schools from 2000 to 2004. Ms. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Chicago State University and two master’s degrees: one in history from Chicago State University and one in education leadership and administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently working towards a doctorate of education in urban leadership and administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago.