Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Wishing You a Merry Christmas!


I recently read about a man who attended Christmas concert. He remarked about the way the elements of a musical program worked together. The players of each musical instrument, the singers of each choral part, soloists, and conductor all had a place and a purpose. Some elements were more prominent than others, but all were essential. And together they sounded phenomenal.

Each of us has a place in God’s grand symphony — His Will being done on earth as it is in heaven. We each have a part to play in God’s kingdom. Some parts are more prominent than others, but all are essential.

We are truly blessed at Magnolia Heights, but our successes are much like the Christmas concert. Each of us; teachers, parents, and yes even students, all contribute and make our school what it is today. God has indeed blessed us!

From all of us at Magnolia Heights, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 
#NJASAF

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

An Uncommon Education




Many of the questions that we hear lately from prospective parents and even some of our current parents are related to Common Core. Is MHS bound by Common Core? Do we align with Common Core? Do we teach Common Core?  Are we planning to teach Common Core?

Our usual answer is, “We are not common!”

Magnolia Heights is not bound by Mississippi’s adoption of the Common Core Standards. Nor are we bound by the curriculum they use to teach it. The Common Core Standards in themselves are not a curriculum; they are the standards for what students should know.  A curriculum includes what is taught, when it is taught, how it is taught and what materials are used. 

Instructional standards are not new to our work as educators.  Standards are designed to show what students are supposed to know and be able to do by the time they leave a particular grade. Report cards denote a student's progress toward meeting those benchmarks. Standardized testing such as the Stanford Achievement Test, PLAN, and the ACT are given for the specific purpose of measuring how well a student meets a standard.  Whether this measurement gives parents, educators, and students a metric about how well a first-grade student is doing or if a high school senior is “college ready,” we are still using standards as benchmarks. 

We, however, expect our students’ education to be beyond proficient and much more than basic. One of the great advantages of independent education is that we have the flexibility to adapt what is happening around us.  MHS has resisted the need to adopt trendy educational movements while addressing the ever-changing needs of children entrusted to us for their education. Our 1:1 initiative is a wonderful example of this. Good teaching is good teaching. No computer or technology will ever take the place of a good teacher; it is simply another tool in their tool belt, and for our students, a bicycle to get from one point to another. We have passionate teachers with exceptional subject area expertise teaching in small classes that actually allow them to teach.  Our mission is to educate the whole student - academically, morally, physically, and spiritually.  Our school boasts years of success in this mission.


As a school that is obligated to provide superior teaching and learning, we would be remiss in ignoring such a significant movement in education as Common Core and its purported focus on developing the critical-thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills of students. These are skills that MHS has been integrating into our curriculum for years. We also understand the feeling of many families that the curriculum currently used to integrate Common Core standards in many schools differs significantly from the values that they hold dear.  While we will not be adopting Common Core, we can look at those standards just as we did the Mississippi Frameworks, make them more rigorous, filter them through tried and true foundational teaching methods and frameworks, and infuse them with our faith.  Common Core will not dictate our curriculum, instructional methodologies or the materials we use. All of these elements will continue to be determined by MHS administration and teachers.

On a final note, one of the main tenets of Common Core is to ensure that students are ready for college.  What Common Core claims to do, we are already doing and doing well. Our average ACT score is above not only the state average, but the National average as well.  Over the last 4 years, 98.5% of our seniors have been offered college scholarships totaling over 11 million dollars. Not only are our students going to colleges and universities, but they are also offering them scholarships to attend. Thus, the college-and career-ready standards that Common Core purports to support are already covered by Magnolia Heights School.

We realize that we have a responsibility to provide the best possible college preparatory education to our students and as an independent school need to respond to questions and concerns that our parents and prospective parents may have.  We encourage you to visit the school and see for yourself what an Uncommon Education looks like.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Thankful

It's hard to believe, but the first semester is almost gone, and Thanksgiving is upon us, with Christmas just around the corner. As always, we have been incredibly busy. I suppose that's what makes time go by so quickly. However, Thanksgiving always reminds us to be thankful of our many blessings - many that we are aware of, but many, many more that we aren't.

We are especially thankful for our students, new and returning. We are at our highest enrollment in five years (620). The opportunity to work with young students is truly a calling, and our teachers see their job as more of an avocation than a vocation. We are essentially training the young adults of tomorrow, and no one knows that better than our faculty, staff and administration.

We are thankful for our athletic success this fall. Our softball and varsity football teams advanced to the playoffs, with our softball team advancing to the state championship series. Several of our student-athletes have already committed to continuing their athletic careers on the collegiate level. Our cheerleaders were selected and will participate in the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City! Our basketball teams are all off to fantastic starts and look to be in the thick of the conference and state championship races. Boy's soccer is also just around the corner and our guys have been working really hard looking to be competitive in their respective division. Our girls' soccer team showed remarkable improvement from last year and finished their season strong. Special congratulations also go to our fall sport's MAIS AllStars: Miranda Crouch (soccer), Abi Gibson (softball), and Matt Womack, David Herrington, and Travis Beam (football).

We are thankful for the recent designation of Magnolia Heights as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2014-2016 school terms. Only 350 schools worldwide are designated by Apple for this honor. To be chosen, a school must demonstrate an exemplary learning environment for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. Apple will be on hand later this year to commemorate our selection in a special ceremony.

We are also thankful for the service and giving opportunities. Go Jim Go received over $1000 from MHS for LeBonheur Children's Hospital. This money was raised by the Interact Club, who sponsored a t-shirt and jean day for the students. FCA is once again participating in Operation Christmas Child and collecting shoeboxes for distribution worldwide.

Finally, we are so thankful for the dozens of grandparents who came out for Grandparents Day. We also acknowledged the veterans in the audience and celebrated and honored their service to our country. We had a great day honoring our grandparents' legacy and love.

I hope that you have a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. Please spend time with your family and count your blessings as well.





Monday, September 8, 2014

Just Getting Started

Sorry for the delay in keeping up with my blog, but where did the summer go? It seems like yesterday we were winding the school year up, and now here we are 3 weeks into the year.  This season is full of football games, pep rallies, and plans for the fall.

As the school year started, we rolled out another grade for our 1:1 laptop program. We now have all high school students (grades 9-12) with MacBooks. This summer we also rolled out a new Learning Management System (LMS) called Canvas. Designed specifically for K-12 teachers and students, Canvas is an easy-to-use, cloud-based system that connects all the digital tools and resources teachers use into one simple place. It integrates seamlessly with hundreds of apps, empowering teachers and students with countless tools to make teaching and learning easier and more fun. Now our students can access, complete, and submit assignments all in one site, and our teachers can push assignments, lesson resources, post discussion questions, and even give quizzes through their Canvas portal. And what’s even better, because it's cloud based, it’s accessible across any device that can access the internet: MacBooks, PC’s, phones, even tablets. It’s already getting rave reviews from our faculty and students.

You may have also noticed that our campus is undergoing some renovations as well. The school’s roofs are being replaced due to hail damage. This process is ongoing and in all likelihood won’t be completed until next summer. However, the repairs to Baker Hall are complete and the gym is nearing completion. Plans are also underway to replace the air conditioning in the oldest part of the high school building, which should start very soon. Also approved will be a retrofit of the school’s lighting fixtures with LED lighting. Both the HVAC and the LED lighting will not only improve the cooling and lighting, but also save the school money in the long run with lower utility bills.

Thanks to our Parents’ Club, new safety and security improvements have been made. We now have limited access points for anyone entering our building. All students in grades 7-12 will be issued student ID’s, which will open outside doors that will be locked while class is in session. We will funnel all traffic to one of three access points for everyone else. Mini-Mag and the Little Red Schoolhouse will have video cameras at their access points to allow school personnel to view those seeking access. Plans are ongoing to continue to augment the system with more cameras, which should provide an additional layer of security.

The school is also beginning to craft its school improvement plan as part of our requirements for re-accreditation from SACS (Advanced-ED), SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and MAIS. You will receive a short online survey from SAIS shortly through your email. Please complete the survey at your convenience, but it will only be open for 10-14 days. These surveys, along with strategic planning at the school and trustee level, will provide valuable input as we craft the school improvement plan that will take us to 2020.

All our fall athletic teams are in full swing with their seasons. If you haven’t caught a game or match yet, please support our young student athletes. They do an outstanding job representing you and our school to the other members of the MAIS.

Finally, don’t forget our Annual Fund. The Annual Fund each year provides financial support for additional equipment and supplies not covered by the Parents’ Club or the regular tuition budget. Along with those purchases, the Annual Fund also provides funding for the school’s endowment. Forty-five percent of all Annual Fund donations go directly to the school’s endowment.

Again, I’m sorry for the delay, as well as the lengthy update. As you can see, there is definitely a lot going on. However, we do understand that our greatest priority is, and always will be, providing a first-class education for your children.

It’s always a great day to be a Chief!
#NJASBAF (Not Just A School But A Family)




Tuesday, July 29, 2014

2014 Annual Stockholders and Parents Meeting

This was the Head of School's report at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Parents...

I am very blessed to be beginning my 34th year at MHS. We are all very busy and excited about the new school year.

Currently, we have 593 Students enrolled and anticipate over 600 when we open next Friday.  So far this year we have 67 new students with a 94% retention rate from last year's enrollment.

In May, we graduated 53 seniors. 100% of the graduating seniors received college scholarship offers worth in excess of $2.8 million. Seven in the class scored 29 or above on the ACT, and we currently have 13 students with a 29 or above on their ACT.

We talk a lot about technology, but only as a tool to use in the classroom, not as a replacement for good sound teaching. I am very pleased with the job that Allyson Mitchell, the Elementary Principal, and Brooke Howell, the Academic Dean is doing with the supervision and professional development of the faculty and staff. Our teachers have been very receptive.  After all, they want to be the best they can be for our students and your children.

Part of the busy summer we've had is due to our strategic technology initiative called in-house. Partnering with Apple, this initiative will put an Apple device (MacBook, iPad, or iTouch) in the hands of each MHS student over the next few years. This fall we will add our 9th graders to the MHS students currently using the 11" Apple MacBook Air laptops (Grades 9-12). As last year, these devices will be used in the classrooms, as well as taken home each night. Throughout the summer the teachers have participated in several professional development workshops like summit in Atlanta, GA to learn about authors, books, Google docs, Google drive, as well as many other apps to integrate technology in the classroom. This fall, we are rolling out Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS) currently used in all of Mississippi's public universities and community colleges. This portal will place each student's course in a single site where they can submit work, take tests, and participate in collaborative exercises like discussion boards. We already have online and blended classes at MHS, which provides excellent training for our students entering the post-secondary world. Our ACT Prep class required of all 11th graders is one of our blended classes (Hybrid teacher and online). Our Financial Principles class was the first class offered as an online class at MHS (3 years ago), and our Honors History seminar was added just this this past year.

Last year, in an effort to embrace communication, we rolled out our MHS iPhone and Android app. We also initiated a school-wide SMS messaging to instantly deliver text messages for those interested in having information texted to their phone. The MHS website will also soon have a new look, and I encourage you to look at the promotional video produced by our 10th-grade project-based learning class last semester currently posted on the site. The video was produced in its entirety by the students in the class.

I think this is going to be a quantum leap for us when the strategic plan is fully implemented. Our graduates are already required to have 21st century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration once they enter college and the workforce. Our littlest Chiefs will graduate (Class of 2029) into a world that utilizes technology in ways we can't even imagine. To help our students' transition into this new paradigm of teaching and learning, our faculty will continue to mix our traditional teaching methods with new projects and inquiry based learning over the next few years.

I'm also excited that MHS is the first school in this area to rollout this sort of program. We have always been leaders not only to other independent schools, but also for education as a whole. Certain projects such as our 1:1 Technology Initiative solidifies our role as an innovator, as well as a leader.
Still, this is not enough. As part of our accreditation with SACS and SAIS, we are required to submit a new school improvement plan every 5 years. This fall we will begin preparation for our Fall 2015 visit. The goals and objectives, we develop must be addressed over the next two years and each year thereafter until our next visit. As part of this process, all stakeholders of the school will be offered the opportunity to evaluate our programs through surveys or interviews with the visiting team.

In the area of safety and security, additional video cameras are being installed, and access will be restricted to certain doors. Video cameras have been placed at entrances to Mini-Magnolia and Baker Hall. Training is ongoing with our faculty and staff to provide a more safe and secure campus.

We are all looking forward to a great year. I want to encourage you to get involved. There are no booster clubs to join because as MHS parents you are already members of the Parents' Club and Chief's Club. Just look for opportunities to serve and get involved with your child's class or your athlete's team. We always need your help.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your head of school.

Friday, May 23, 2014

What a Year!

What a year! The 2013-14 school year has been a roller-coaster of emotions. From the exhilaration of multiple state championships to unbelievable sorrow in the loss of loved ones, we have run the gamut of emotions. Schools are all about learning (life lessons and head knowledge) and this year was no different.

We rolled out a 1:1 computer environment for grades 10-12. We learned that technology is a tool, but not the focus. Utilizing technology in the educational delivery systems is the future, and our students will be prepared. Take a look at the promotional video produced by Computer Apps II class as a group project. It's very impressive. Click here to view. From textbooks and learning management systems online to budgeting time for online classes, we learned that technology is ubiquitous and required in our new global world.

We also learned how to be champions and the life lessons that come from athletics. From the heartbreak of last-second state championship game losses to the joy of being number one, our student-athletes competed with class and effort, and this made all of us very proud.

Class of 2014
Academically, each of our 51 seniors received a scholarship offer. Thirteen of our students have achieved Eminent Scholar status (29 or above on ACT). Our Science Department recorded another top 3 finish in the MAIS Overall State Science Fair. In the ABC (Academic Betterment Competition) MHS easily outpaced all other schools in our district winning more (first, second, and third places) than all the other schools combined.

Through service our students found many ways to give back. The first graders provided table decorations and sang for Providence Place while the 4th grade created Heart of Magnolia (stuffed animals for children in automobile accidents). The Interact Club assisted in the Senatobia Rotary Club Clean-up Day, HOPE Food Drive, and 5 Star Fest; the National Honor Society raised money for St. Jude and the Interact Club contributed to HOPE Ministry. FCA supported Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Through many other acts of service, MHS students found a variety of ways to give back to the community.

However, we also learned that tragedy can bring a family together as nothing else can. Through Andrew’s death we affirmed that we are more than just a school – we are a family. We’ve always known this, but in tragedy it comes back front and center. There is no way to get through those seasons in life without family and faith in God. We learned that we should never take God’s blessings for granted and we should thank Him for each day He gives us. Life is precious.



MHS Class of 2028
Yes, we have learned and as we learned, we added to Magnolia Heights School’s legacy of achievement and honor. We are all a part of this wonderful family and are forever tied to MHS. Wherever we go, whatever we do, our actions today and tomorrow will be influenced by our experiences here. No matter what our accomplishments, there is still no time to rest. This year we also saw the MHS Class of 2028 begin their classes. What will they see? What will they accomplish? No one knows, but we do know that Magnolia Heights School will remain as a constant beacon shinning brightly on “the Hill” just south of Senatobia.


From all of us on "the Hill," be safe and may God richly bless you and yours.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

It’s Time to Say Goodbye


It’s that time of year again. In just a week, 51 seniors will cross the stage and receive their high school diplomas. This past week, during Senior Awards Night, we learned that:
  • 6 of the 51 have been accepted into various Honors Programs or Honors Colleges
  • 100% of this year’s senior class received at least one scholarship offer
  • The total scholarships awarded so far exceed $2.8 million
  • There were 6 Eminent Scholars (29 or above on ACT)
  • The top 25% have an ACT average of 28.9
  • Over 37% already have at least 6 hours of college credit
This group of seniors also excelled athletically. Did you know that:

  • The football seniors played for two state championships
  • The softball girls finished in the final four in the State AAA Softball tournament the last 4 years with two state runner-ups and two third place finishes
  • The boys’ basketball team played for two state championships, winning the State AAA D-2 this past year
  • Baseball seniors finished 104-11 winning three consecutive State AAA D-2 Championships, with the 2013 squad finishing 37-0 and ranked 8th nationally.

Let's not forget community service. Did you know that seniors held leadership positions in clubs such as the Interact Club, the National Honor Society, and FCA where they helped raise money and collect over 1000 pounds of food for HOPE Ministries, helped with community clean-up days, assisted the Parents' Club with Harvest Fun Fest and Senatobia Main Street with the 5 Star Fest, and filled more than 100 shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse?

As you can see, they have excelled academically and athletically, but yet also have a servant's heart. Their future is bright and the legacy they leave will challenge the classes yet to come.

As I always do each Senior Awards Night, I had the opportunity to issue a challenge to this year’s senior class. The following is their challenge:

As I do each year, it is now my honor to issue my challenge to the Class of 2014.
At Andrew’s memorial I mentioned the hash tag “not a school but a family,” and as I was preparing for tonight, I was reminded that is exactly what we are – a family. We argue, fuss, and fight, but don’t dare let an outsider pick on one of us. And when tragedy strikes, as it did just a few weeks ago, it takes "family" to get us through it.

Recently, I was listening to the radio and an old song by Journey came on, "Don’t Stop Believing." As I thought about the title, I could not help but reflect on your senior year. It may have crept by ever so slowly to you, but to your parents and me it has raced by. In just a few short days you will all walk across the stage and receive your high school diplomas. From that point on you will begin your life's journey into adulthood.

"Don’t Stop Believing" led me to think of those things in which you should continue to believe.

First - "Don’t Stop Believing" in your friends. The friends you have made here at Magnolia Heights School will always hold a special place in your heart. Look around you tonight. In a few short weeks you will part ways and may not see each other again for years. I know it sounds crazy, but I assure you it’s true. The friendships and special memories will always be in your heart and will forever bind you and them to MHS. It’s so easy to believe in everyone at this time. There will be times in the future, however, when your friends will need you. They will need you to believe in them the same way you did when you counted on each other to complete a project, run a play in football or basketball, or even when they counted on you to help them with difficult life decisions. You were there then and I encourage you to be there in the future.

Second – "Don’t Stop Believing" in your family. Family – we could talk on and on about their influence on you. But tonight I want you to think about believing in them. They do have your best interests at heart. There will be times when you disagree, but remember to listen to their life experiences. They don’t want you to touch the hot stove, go to fast in your car, or make terrible decisions that alter your life's path. Yes they believe in you – but you need to remember to believe in them as well.

Third – "Don’t Stop Believing" in yourself.  Scripture says each of you  is fearfully and wonderfully made. Each has unlimited potential – unlimited possibilities. Tonight you can be anything or do anything you want. But that comes with tremendous responsibility and ultimately costs. There will be times that you will find it hard to believe in yourself – especially when you make terrible decisions that have devastating consequences. But remember, the first time you attempted to ride a bike or roller blade, you probably fell down. However, if you wanted to learn badly enough, you got back up and eventually conquered the tasks. Life is that way as well. You will have victories and you will have defeats. How you handle each of those will determine much in your life.

Fourth – "Don't Stop Believing in God." Your faith is so important. God’s will for your life and your doing His will is paramount.  Read His word and pray daily. The old adage is true – there’s nothing that’s going to happen today that you and God can’t handle. God does have a plan for each of you. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Seek God’s will and His purpose for your life. Again, as I closed the memorial service, #becausehelives.

Finally – I want to read you a short story about the wooden bowl. It puts into perspective what I've tried to communicate to you this evening

"THE WOODEN BOWL"
I guarantee you will remember the tale of THE WOODEN BOWL tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.   A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.  The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.  The family ate together at the table.  But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.  When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.  "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."  So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.  There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.  Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.  When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.  Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.  The four-year-old watched it all in silence.  
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.  He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up."  The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.  The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.  Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.  Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.  
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.  

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.  I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.  I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back.  I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.  But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.  I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.  I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.  I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.  I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. Class of 2014 – Believe in your friends, your family, yourself, and God. It will serve you well."


Class of 2014 – God Bless you. It is my hope that "the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; and the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  Numbers 24-26

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Molding Tomorrow's Leaders Through Educational Excellence Today


"All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives." United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 1.

This past Tuesday, Congressman Alan Nunnelee visited MHS to speak with our students. He first spoke with the 5th and 6th grade students and afterward to an assembly of 7th-12th grade students.

To the 5th and 6th grade students, he not only explained his job and what his responsibilities entailed, but he also encouraged them to pursue their dreams. The story of his visit to the state capitol as a Boy Scout and how it spurred him into public service was captivating. He also stressed to them that even though teachers can teach you how to read, it’s the love of reading that opens up all doors. He compared a library to a time machine that could take you anywhere to any point in time, to learn about anyone or any topic. With the gift of books and a love for reading, the sky is the limit as to your dreams and possibilities.

Financial Principles Class
With grades 7 through 12 the topics turned to more serious issues. A few of the more weighty questions were: what happened to the Malaysia flight; what do you think about the Russian invasion of Crimea; how Obama Care would affect them; and, how he felt on the “Right to Life.” It was a rare opportunity for our students to meet and interact with someone that deals with such weighty issues each day. He shared that our country is the greatest experiment ever and that any of them could indeed serve as a legislator, governor, congressman or president if that’s what they set their minds to do.

Molding Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Educational Excellence Today is our motto. Listening to the congressman on Tuesday, I affirmed in my mind how our motto plays out in the lives of our students each day. We truly do have the opportunity each day to shape our community, state, and nation through our students. Thanks again to Coach Barry Coleman for coordinating his visit and to Walt Starr who heads the congressman’s Hernando office.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Where are we and where are we going?


Today is the first day of spring break. To keep pace with the ever-changing face of education, I read as much as I can squeeze in. This past week while reading a number of news articles and blogs citing new and exciting advances in education; a common theme seemed to resonate - how far the United States lags behind the rest of the world. There seem to be many new ideas on how it (education) should be done, but I was struck with the number of ways Magnolia Heights is already on the cutting edge. As an example:
  • ACT Prep Course for All 11th graders. MHS began an ACT Prep program several years ago and recently required all 11th graders to take the class. Students meet each day where they review their previous ACT results as well as strengthen their test-taking skills. We have seen a significant rise in our ACT scores at all levels.
  • Increased emphasis on Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Courses. MHS is now into its 8th year of offering our students college credit while at the same time enrolled in high school courses. Students have the opportunity to start their college years with up to 12 hours of college credit. While we could offer more classes, but we understand that many colleges want to teach the math and science classes required for many professional studies programs, like engineering and math, on their campuses to students entering their programs.
  • Increased opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). MHS now offers an Honors track in math and science. In physics, engineering concepts are incorporated into the basic curriculum. They were very excited about their Rube Goldberg projects  where they built apparatuses to complete a task like popping a ballon or turn on a switch. Click here to learn more about these projects. For many years MHS students have participated in local, district and state science fairs where for the past 15 years or more have never placed lower than third in the overall state (schools are given points for placing in the fairs and the top 5 are always recognized). This spring the school is investigating a program called MAD-Learn (Mobile App Development) where students will design apps for mobile devices. Although this will be piloted in in grades 10-12, the curriculum is designed for third grade and up. How cool would it be for our third graders to design apps for their class! Students in our Computer Application II class are currently creating most of the material the school will use as part of the Apple Distinguished School Application process.
  • Increased professional development opportunities for faculty. For the second year in a row MHS teachers will attend iSummit Conference at The Westminster School in Atlanta Georgia. As a member of the Coalition of Lighthouse Schools, MHS teachers will spend three days learning from other educators how to use technology in and out the classroom. I was pleased that during some of our recent school closures, several of our teachers pushed out assignments to their students to compensate for the loss of class time brought on by the school closures. This is called “reverse instruction" or “flipping the classroom.” As part of our leadership to other schools, Magnolia Heights will be hosting over 50 teachers and administrators from a dozen schools in April to demonstrate how we are utilizing technology in the educational process. 

Although I could go on, I think my point is made. Magnolia Heights will continue to provide its parents and students with the very finest college preparatory education in the area. We realize and understand that it is a financial burden on many of our parents to send their children to MHS. However, we, as I did with my two sons, view it as an investment in our children's education - an investment that does indeed pay dividends. As a result we will continue to push the educational envelope while at the same time cherishing the proven, tried and true methods of instruction. We understand that we must provide extra value added opportunities for our students. I am so blessed to be a part of this great school.

I hope everyone has a blessed and safe spring break!