These days reading, writing, and arithmetic are being bolstered in public schools by partnerships, projects, problem-based learning, the arts, and technology. The public school districts in the metro area have offerings tailored to the needs of 21st century students including those at-risk, the academically gifted, the vocationally and artistically talented, those who are excited about learning, and those who need to be encouraged to learn.
The six school districts in the metro area – Clinton, Hinds County, Jackson, Madison County, Pearl, and Rankin County – are finding ways to challenge and encourage their students, to keep them in school, and to enrich their learning experiences. Parents & Kids Magazine asked representatives in each of the districts to describe the unique strengths of their schools.
Clinton Public Schools
Tim Martin, an Assistant Superintendent for Clinton schools, cited academic, as well as music and art emphases in his district. He enthusiastically pointed to the Three-Tier Intervention Program, the junior high Math Counts Team, Arrow Fest, and the Attache Show Choir.
The purpose of the Three-Tier Intervention Program, focusing on kindergarten through 8th grade, is to identify which students who are not working on grade level yet are capable of doing so. Specially trained intervention teachers work with these students a few hours each day before they are tested and assigned to either regular or special education classes. The result of this kind of teaching has been fewer students assigned to special education and many more successful students in regular classes.
On the junior high level there is the opportunity for students to enroll in math classes that may lead toward participating on a math team. Just recently the Clinton Junior High Math Team earned first place in a statewide competition held at Mississippi University for Women.
Arrow Fest, an annual recognition and celebration of the arts, is held primarily at Clinton High School each spring, but it often involves students from the lower grades as well. Sheri Shramek detailed the events featured in this month-long celebration. Arrow Fest includes a senior art show at the Baptist Health Plex, competitions planned by physics students involving innovative projects, a foreign language fair by the language students, as well as dance and drama presentations and displays of many forms of art. Musical groups usually present their spring concerts during this month.
The Attache Show Choir has received much publicity through the years. It is open to students in grades 10 through 12 who have auditioned the previous spring. This special group obviously makes a place for those with singing and dancing talent but also refines these talents and teaches new skills. On a deeper level participation in the Attache Show choir impresses the students with the need for individual responsibility and the rewards of hard work, according to David Fair, the director.
Hinds County School District
Jim Mason, an administrator with the Hinds County School District, listed four high school initiatives that are now in place or will be in the fall. These have a two-fold purpose: to encourage students who are high achievers to aim higher and to encourage those who might think about dropping out not to do so.
Dual Enrollment with Hinds Community College is open to Hinds County high school students who have completed a minimum of ten core high school units, have taken the ACT, and have an unconditional recommendation from their high school principal and/or guidance counselor.
On-Line Opportunities are available for students who have failed a course. This tool enables them to complete web-based courses for credit recovery and for summer school. It has been very attractive for students on the verge of dropping out or who are looking for an opportunity to catch up with their classmates academically.
The Hinds County School District participates in the Mississippi State Scholars Program. Business and community leaders encourage students to complete a more challenging course of study in high school, helping them succeed in any venue: in a technical school, a community college, a university, the military, or industry.
This fall the district will begin what is being called a High School Redesign Model at Raymond and Terry high schools. There will be schedule changes with the addition of an 8th period, Monday – Thursday, a “virtual 8th period,” wherein students who failed the Subject Area Testing Program (SATP) graduation exam or are failing any course can work up to grade level with tutors and technological assistance.
Jackson Public School District
Peggy Hampton, Public Relations Director for Jackson Public Schools, was eager to point to several unique offerings of JPS.
The well-known Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC) was one of the first efforts to reach talented students in the district and to combine academics and the arts for enriching and stretching the students’ minds and their horizons. It is open to qualified students.
More recently the Base-Pair Program, a joint venture with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, was begun as a pairing of Murrah science students with UMC. It is a research mentoring program in which high school science students are matched with UMC faculty to increase the students’ science experiences, to broaden their career awareness, especially interests related to biomedical research, and to encourage the students to become “communicators of science.”
For elementary students there is the Arts Access program which began at Casey Elementary School and now includes Barr Elementary and Siwell Middle School. The integration of the arts (music, dance, drama, and visual arts) is used to teach academic subjects, not necessarily to develop performing artists. It enriches and enhances the learning of all students in all learning areas.
The Montessori program offered at McWillie School (K-5) is an individualized teaching method, which is hands-on and moves at each student’s pace. The International Baccalaureate Program is available at Jim Hill High School while the Open Doors Program for gifted students is available at most elementary schools.
The Jackson Public Schools also offer English as a Second Language (ESL) for international students in K-12. ESL services are provided for families and adults as well.
Madison County School District
Like many school districts, Madison County Schools’ unique offerings are site specific. That is, the curricula or programs may be at only one or two schools in the district.
Beverly Johnston, principal at Madison Street Elementary School, explained that MSES is the designated whole arts school for the district. The teachers are trained to integrate the visual arts, music, dance, and drama in their daily teaching.
The unique element of this initiative is a parent-led art program for Kindergarten and first grade called ArtSense and ArtsAttack for second grade students.
Jo Prather described the district’s mentoring program, “Building Bridges in Madison County,” which has become a national model. Only high school seniors may participate and receive twenty hours of training before helping younger students with everything from multiplication facts to term papers, to citizenship.
Rick Ross, Principal at Madison Avenue Upper Elementary, reports that MAUE (grades 3-5) focuses on science and technology. “In addition to traditional classroom studies, our students get a hands on approach to science in our science lab and outdoor classroom. Technology, operated by both the teachers and the students, is infused throughout the daily activities to enhance and engage students in the curriculum,” he writes. For example, MAUE has a broadcast room where students make daily announcements that are streamed live to each homeroom with an internet feed so that parents can also see.
Pearl School District
Linda Shook Ward with the Pearl School District described the uniqueness of Pearl schools as “big enough to have a highly competitive number of courses yet small enough to maintain a true sense of community.” She cited great parental and business support because the schools are still considered the hub of the community.
It is possible to maintain this sense of community because there is one school for each cluster of grade levels: one school each for kindergarten and first grade, second and third grades, fourth and fifth grades, sixth through eighth grades, and one high school, grades nine through twelve. She adds that it is also “easier to align curriculum both vertically and horizontally” with this configuration.
Pearl High School has been a level five school since the inception of the state’s current accountability model.
Rankin County School District
Marisa Martin of the Rankin County School District listed several distinctive offerings.
On the high school level The Senior Project is a four-step undertaking in which all seniors must participate. The four steps begin with the selection of a career or job goal, which the student must research and then write about in a formal paper. The second step involves preparation of a product or application of the knowledge acquired during the research and the selection of a mentor. Step three is a portfolio, which should contain a journal, business letters, an overview of the project, and a final reflection on the project as a whole. Finally, there is a 10 – 15 minute formal speech before a Senior Board Panel made up of business and professional people with knowledge of the field chosen by the student.
Partners in Education is something many school districts participate in. The Rankin County Schools are particularly pleased with their involvement because of the overwhelming support their schools and students have received from the community. The purpose is the enrichment of the education process by direct involvement in a real-life situation. Having successful role models and gaining an increased awareness of the world of work are great advantages for the students.
On the elementary level there is an effort through the Balanced Literacy Approach to provide individualized instruction in the teaching of reading and writing. It is an effort to make sure every student performs on grade level in these two areas.
The Rankin County elementary schools serve as part of the pilot program for Blue-Cross/Blue-Shield of Mississippi’s “Let’s Go Walkin’” campaign, the goal of which is participation in 30 minutes of walking and/or physical activity each school day.
A comprehensive program, unique in its use at all grade levels, K-12, the Thinking Map Technique, is used as a tool for organizing thoughts, teaching how to take notes, as well as preparing for writing assignments.
Want More Information?
For more detailed information you may check the web sites of each district or individual school. In addition, keep watch on the Parents & Kids web site where we will present a more detailed look at each district over the course of the summer.
