/How the Mississippi School of Math and Science, one of the nation’s top high schools, innovates in the face of state funding cuts

How the Mississippi School of Math and Science, one of the nation’s top high schools, innovates in the face of state funding cuts

Nonprofit Mississippi News COLUMBUS – Faith Ivy was just 15 when she left Hernando, her home, to attend college. The bright high schooler from Hernando was accepted at the Mississippi School of Mathematics and Science. This is one of two public residential high schools in Mississippi. She quickly adapted to her new surroundings. It’s definitely a different school to my old school. One, because we are living away from our home and two, because we are on a college campus. We have to adapt,” Ivy stated. “I am a very outgoing person so I made friends as soon as I arrived and moved in to the Mississippi University for Women.” Since its inception in 1987, the school has provided a pathway for bright teens to access a college environment that is complemented with advanced STEM courses. This is crucial in Mississippi, where only half of the students in math passed grade-level expectations and there are racial disparities in student achievement and access for advanced courses. The school’s composite ACT score in 2018 for juniors was 27.3 while the statewide average was 17.8. This is a good sign that something is happening. According to the school, the class of 2018 received $9.6 million in scholarships. 60% of Mississippi’s students have remained in Mississippi since 2013 to go to college. The school is rated as one of the top public high schools in Mississippi by many measures. This achievement is despite declining state support, which makes the school an important point of pride. MSMS is funded directly by the state Legislature through appropriations, unlike traditional public schools which receive funding through the Mississippi Adequate Educational Program. Officials at the school note that the school is receiving $400,000 less than it did 11 years ago. The school is working with local legislators in order to increase funding for the 2019 legislative session. However, the school has also turned its attention to the private sector to obtain grants and donations from companies. The school will request an additional $700,000.000 from the Legislature this year to expand its engineering and computer science programs, enroll more students, expand outreach opportunities, and increase the number of students enrolled in the distance learning program. Although lawmakers say they will seek additional funding for the school in an effort to secure it, the Legislature won’t start appropriations until later this session. Representative Gary Chism (Republican from Columbus) said, “I’m not on the appropriations but I’m hopeful they will be given additional funding.” “Their funding is stagnant or even lower, and it’s put hardship on them because (they can’t offer) (enough to all the bright students.” Admissions The school’s executive Director, Germain McConnell, is open about what kind of student thrives here. MSMS is not right for everyone. He said that just because you are the smartest person at school does not mean MSMS is the right fit. “We need students that are a little more mature because this involves personal responsibility.” MSMS seeks sophomores from Mississippi high schools with strong grades and standardized tests scores. LeighAlison Jones, admissions coordinator, travels throughout the state to host “Super Nights,” informational meetings that spread awareness about the school as well as explain the admissions process. The deadline for applications this year was February 1. Jones explained that the school pairs applicants with current MSMS student ambassadors who can answer questions about campus life. Students can visit the school and have tours led by current MSMS seniors. You will need to apply for college admission. Students submit an online application. They must upload a resume and explain why they are interested in attending college. Students are required to submit transcripts, ACT scores, and three teacher recommendations. One from a school counselor is also required. Home-schooled students may be granted modifications to these requirements. To determine who should be invited for a final interview, a committee of three MSMS faculty members, an educator, and a non-educator reviews the applications. (ACT scores and transcripts have been removed from applications to avoid bias). To ensure that the children who make it to the interview in person are interested in the school, parents are not allowed to participate. They take a math placement exam and then write an essay on-site to protect against plagiarism. Jones stated that if they submit “Pride and Prejudice” online and then write Dr. Seuss upon their arrival, it’s likely a red flag. In April, students who have been accepted by the university are notified. McConnell describes this maturity as students moving into MSMS dorms at campus as juniors. Students are expected to be on-time for classes, clean up after themselves, and eat in the campus cafeteria. These responsibilities are accompanied by a heavier workload. There are many courses in engineering, mathematics, and animal physiology offered by the school. To earn college credits, students can enroll in courses at MUW and the Mississippi State University in Starkville. Many students’ first semester at MSMS means they will receive a failing grade or a lower than perfect grade. Elizabeth Morgan, chemistry teacher, said that this often leads to tears. She asks students to come to her office to discuss what went wrong when this happens. Morgan, who is also trained in chemistry, said that she always tries to put things into perspective. “Getting a failing grade does not mean that you are done. It is not the end of the world to accept a failing grade. Morgan stated that students can have homework done at night while they work on classwork during office hours, which allows for more intense lessons. Morgan stated that “I believe because we have these small group or one on-one opportunities for students, it adds to our capability to have really in-depth and rigorous classes.” Ivy stated that most students don’t do their homework during the school day. Ivy stated that problems arise at night while you do your homework. Senior Kaelon McNeece agrees. He said that the first transition is difficult. “You will have to change from studying things that come naturally to having to learn them to having to prepare for everything.” Hamilton Wan, a senior at the school, said that it has helped him academically and socially. Wan stated that he used to find it difficult to communicate with people at his former school in Starkville. “But here it was much easier and it’s certainly helped me grow out from the box a lot more.” While students may be proud to call themselves “nerds,” many Mississippi Today interviewees said that there is more to it. Morgan Emokpae, a senior, said that “we aren’t just smart brainiacs.” “We are athletes, artists, and all that.” Students can participate in cross-country, swimming, soccer, student governance, and Wags and Whiskers. This extracurricular activity allows students to walk dogs at nearby Columbus Humane Society. Ivy, a friendly senior from Hernando founded the Spirit Team club. This club cheers on the schools’ teams. Every Tuesday, the student government association’s senators meet to discuss changes to MSMS policy. Wan explained that he and his peers have passed a bill to reduce stress among students. It states that homework must be submitted by Friday at 5 p.m. Victoria Gong, a student, said that homework levels are in “sinusoidal” patterns. This means it fluctuates. However, not all student legislation is successful. Gong stated that for years, students have tried to keep goldfish in their dorm rooms. However, they are always declined. Equity question Many students feel that the residential environment fosters family relationships at school. Emokpae stated that they have seen Morgan in his natural state in his room. “They’ve seen my lowest moments in my room crying due to something that happened. They’ve also seen me at my happiest and most importantly, they’re always there.” The school is also a great place to meet people of different cultures and backgrounds. According to data from Mississippi Department of Education, the student body is still approximately 60% female and 40% male in the current and previous school years. The number of students from Asian and African-American backgrounds has slightly increased to 15% and 24%, respectively, this school year. According to MDE data, 57% of the students at the school are white. A small number of students are Native American, Hispanic or of two or more races. According to the school, 63 percent of Mississippi’s counties were represented at MSMS this academic year. DeSoto County is the largest tribe with 20 students. Emokpae stated, “Coming here and being exposed to so many other cultures, I discovered that I really love languages.” “So when my time comes, I will use this knowledge in whatever field I choose.” The school is a member of National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools. This non-profit supports STEM education. Todd Mann, the executive director, stated that about 150 schools in the network pay dues. Schools that only serve high-performing students have a common complaint: they pick the brightest kids and then excel. Mann stated that STEM schools are concerned about making sure all students have access to their programs. Mann stated that everyone worries about ensuring equal access. Schools are attempting to combat this by creating residential settings. Mann stated that students living on campus open it up to students from all across the state, rather than only those who live near it. It also gives students more chances to get involved in the learning process. Mann stated, “I think states are realizing…that we need to create an environment –not just classes — that fosters greater learning. And that culture fosters greater skill sets in these areas.” He said that students should be exposed to STEM opportunities prior to entering high school. This will allow them to grasp complex science and math concepts early on, which gives them the confidence to try their hand at it. Mann stated, “Think about kids who believe they won’t pass a test and so they don’t even try.” “It’s incumbent on us as society to work at (the middle) school and lower levels to ensure that kids get the coaching and mentoring necessary to develop the confidence and to try.” MSMS officials decided to be creative in response to a funding gap that prevented the school from reaching all students. Distance learning allows MSMS teachers to teach algebra through tele-education to students in other areas. This is one way to reach these students. McConnell, who is the executive director, stated that “I believe that each of us can play some role in that, so being at MSMS, I recognize the immense responsibility we have to make an impact on other students as well.” The school received a $500,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development grant in 2015. This funding enabled the creation of the distance learning program. The grant funded equipment for MSMS, and a few participating schools in Choctaw and Leake County, Noxubee, Canton school districts. It was awarded in 2015. McConnell stated that students can now take Algebra 1 in 8th grade, which will allow them to take more advanced math courses in the future. However, there was no funding for faculty to be hired specifically for this program. McConnell stated that some schools pay for this service. MSMS works with Choctaw Schools District schools, where Choctaw pays for faculty members to teach Algebra 1 and 8 to high school students, as well as geometry and Algebra 2. McConnell stated that even though some schools have the money to hire teachers for advanced science and math classes, it is difficult to find them. “If they have them here, and we can pipe them those courses to them,” McConnell said. Currently there are 22 full-time faculty members as well as an adjunct professor teaching the 240 students who began the 2018-19 school year. Nearly all of the faculty hold a master’s or doctoral degree. They are considered one of the most respected faculties in the country. LeAnn Alexander manages the school’s non-academic activities. Alexander is the director of student affairs. She describes her role as “the parent in lieu of a parent.” Alexander and her staff get in touch with parents to ask them if their child would like to see a doctor. Teens will often argue with their roommates. Alexander can help them to sort it out. She said, “We are in business of teaching life lessons to student affairs.” Each student at MSMS must fulfill a “work service requirement” — juniors have to empty trash cans and mop floors in their residence halls. Seniors have slightly more fun assignments like being teachers’ assistants. Alexander stated that some of the students had never used a broom, or cleaned up after themselves. Alexander said, “It’s an attempt to keep our facilities cleaner and to teach them how to do that.” Her office organizes extracurricular activities such as prom planning and adult coloring book nights in the residence halls. Students can take a shuttle to Walmart or the nearby mall on Fridays — although it may seem boring, they love it — and sometimes groups will go on weekend trips that are arranged by school because many students live too far from campus. McConnell stated that there is enough space for 300 students in the residence halls. However, McConnell said that the school cannot afford to accommodate this many students. Mississippi Today was told by Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach’s Chairman of the House Education Committee, that lawmakers would “absolutely” send more money to the school. Bennett stated that he believes they have shown success and that if it’s going well, we’re trying reward those who do a good job. “We’re going look at it and we’ll see.” MSMS is public school. Students do not have to pay tuition. However, years ago, the Legislature established a $1,000 annual room-and-board cost that families had to pay to allow their children to attend. McConnell stated that students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches will be exempt from the fee, and families with additional financial needs can contact the foundation to help cover the cost. McConnell and other school leaders remain determined to fulfill the school’s mission, even as they wait for word from lawmakers on whether their request is granted. McConnell stated that money should not be a barrier. McConnell stated that money should not be a barrier.