DECA is a global Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It provides students with opportunities to develop leadership, entrepreneurial, and business skills through classroom instruction, competitive events, and community service. For much more information check out DECA.org

The goal of Jackson DECA is to provide an opportunity for students to build their business knowledge and develop skills that will help them in the professional world after high school. The two main avenues for that growth are through classwork and competition. Trying DECA is for everyone. Continuing in DECA is for those students dedicated to improvement and challenging themselves to be the best. 

There are three levels of competition in DECA in which students progress if they do well enough. EVERY DECA member can compete at Level 1 - ACDC. After that it all depends on how well students perform.:

• Level 1 - Area Competiton- "ACDC"
• Level 2 - State Competition - "SCDC"
• Level 3 - International - "ICDC"

In order to participate in DECA at Jackson High School, students must meet the following criteria:

Option 1 - Enrolled in a business class taught by Mr. Mills (DECA Advisor) for the current year and be in good standing (C or better in class). This is the main option that is open to ALL students.

Option 2 - Qualified for Internationals "ICDC" in a competitive event in any previous year in JHS DECA. Qualifying for ICDC gives you a golden ticket to be a part of JHS DECA without taking Mr. Mills’ class for the rest of your time at JHS.

Option 3 - Exercise a One-Time Exemption (“OTE”) to be in DECA without being in one of Mr. Mills' classes.

In order to qualify for the OTE a student MUST meet all requirements below:

• • Completed Foundations/Principles of Marketing with a grade of “B” or better
  • Completed at least one other semester class taught by Mr. Mills with a grade of “B” or better.
  • Participated in DECA for two years
  • Qualified for SCDC twice

One-time exemption note. The exemption can only be used once during hich school, hence “one-time”. 

Eligibility Examples:

STUDENT A

• 9^th grade – took Principles of Business or Business Law, competed in DECA and made it to SCDC
• 10^th grade – took Business Law or Business Operations, competed in DECA and made it to SCDC
• 11^th grade – Not in Mills’ class, but use the one-time exemption to participate in DECA
• 12^th grade – Not in Mills’ class. No exemptions left – NO DECA

STUDENT B

• 9^th grade – took Principles of Business, competed in DECA and made it to SCDC
• 10^th grade – took Business Law or Business Operations, competed in DECA and made it to SCDC
• 11^th grade – Not in Mills’ class, but use the one-time exemption to participate in DECA
• 12^th grade – Business Operations or Business Law, participate in DECA

STUDENT C

• 9^th grade – took Principles of Business, competed in DECA and made it to SCDC
• 10^th grade – took Business Law, competed in DECA and made it to SCDC
• 11^th grade – Not in Mills’ class, don’t use exemption – NO DECA
• 12^th grade – Not in Mills’ class, but use the one-time exemption to participate in DECA