Who Was Jay M. Robinson?

We are proud to educate our youth in his memory.
Highlights of his distinguished career:

• Classroom teacher, coach, mentor, counselor, principal, superintendent
• Superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools, 1965-1977
• Doctoral degree in education, Duke University, 1976
• North Carolina High School Athletic Association, President, 1970-71, 1975-76
• Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 1977-1986
• Vice President of the University of North Carolina, 1986-1994
• Chairman of the State Board of Education, 1994-1997
• Led the development of North Carolina's ABC's accountability program

"Jay Robinson stood as a giant of American education. I've never known an education leader in North Carolina who did more to change and improve our schools than he did." Governor Jim Hunt

"He was the most down-to-earth, country-talking, sensible, funny, strong and friendly man - and smarter than anybody would think." Kathleen Ross Crosby, who served as an assistant superintendent in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system under Robinson.

Robinson Crest

• Everything outside the shield is what we are. Everything inside the shield is what we do.
• The mantling on the top of the crest stands for "strength, character and independence."
• The book represents knowledge, and the key stands for scholarship.
• The helmet represents democracy and citizenship which is protected and preserved by the book and the key.
• The two bulldogs represent strength and persistence.
• Our motto (in Latin): "Esse Quam Videri", meaning "To be rather than to seem." We, the students, during our high school years, are discovering and defining our adult "selves", and in doing this, we need to be who we are and not pretend to be something we are not.
• The Laurel leaves represent "achievement, honor, and victory."
• The "R" stands for the many achievements of Jay M. Robinson, our namesake, that benefit the students of all N.C. schools.
• The winged foot represents our athletic programs.
• The mask, brushes and lyre represent our fine arts programs.
• The hand and bolt of lightning represent our vocational program.

Mission

JMRHS will be a passionate, diverse, and creative educational institution that empowers the entire school family to become lifelong learners and respectful, productive citizens.

Vision

Jay M. Robinson Empowers.

School Values

The Jay M. Robinson family respects, communicates, is accepting, has pride, has integrity, is valued, is engaged and is a community.