Friends of JWJ Prep (FOJWJ): FOJWJ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, led by James Weldon parents, alumni, and friends, who are dedicated to continuing the school’s legacy of excellence by providing financial and volunteer support for initiatives that enhance the educational experience and environment for students and faculty of James Weldon Johnson (JWJ) College Preparatory Middle School (CPMS). Its budget is approved by the Board of Directors with the guidance, input, and direction of the principal and other administrators and staff, and typically includes technology, infrastructure, teacher grants, and equipment expenditures. Revenue comes from an annual giving event and campaign. Funds do not all have to be spent in one year and do not have to be earmarked for schoolwide events. The goal of a "Friends of" organization is to have long-term funding in perpetuity. The funding is more flexible to provide each grade with its individual resources it requires and supplant other budgetary items. Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA): The PTSA is our Parent Teacher Student Association that works collaboratively with the faculty, staff, and administration to provide resources to the school as well as create a fun-filled environment for the students and faculty, staff, and families of James Weldon Johnson. We do encourage all families to join PTSA. Membership is $7.00. PTSA hosts event such as Movie Night, Teacher Appreciation Days, vision screenings, school beautification, and honor roll celebrations. Funding for PTSA events comes from membership, donations, and Box Tops for Education™. PTSA budgets to spend their entire budget annually, not for long-term savings. Funds should be spent on resources that benefit the entire school and must be approved by the general membership. School Advisory Council (SAC) The School Advisory Council is a group that is responsible for helping to develop and evaluate the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and assisting in the preparation of the annual school budget. When implemented correctly, the SAC holds the school accountable for what is outlined in the SIP. It’s an important layer of accountability which provides an assessment perspective. SAC is not a fundraising organization.

The school's official name is James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School. It can be quite the mouthful to say and write. So it is often referred to as JWJ. And, as not to be confused with JWJ Park, is sometimes differentiated as JWJ Prep. FOJWJ = Friends of James Weldon Johnson CPMS = College Preparatory Middle School JWJ = James Weldon Johnson

James Weldon Johnson (June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938) was an American writer and civil rights activist who was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mr. Johnson established his reputation as a writer, and was known during the Harlem Renaissance for his poems, novel, and anthologies -- collecting both poems and spirituals of black culture. He wrote the lyrics for "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which later became known as the Negro National Anthem. Mr. Johnson was appointed under President Theodore Roosevelt as U.S. consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua for most of the period from 1906 to 1913. In 1934, he was the first African-American professor to be hired at New York University. Later in life, he was a professor of creative literature and writing at Fisk University, a historically black university. This information about Mr. Johnson was found on WikiPedia. To read more, click here.

Yes, your donations are tax deductible. If you donate using PayPal, a receipt should automatically be generated and sent to the email address you provided. If for some reason you do not receive a receipt or if you donated via cash or check or you just need a duplicate receipt, please contact us either via email at friendsofjwjprep@gmail.com or phone at 904.660.0644 and we'll be happy to get you a receipt.