January 4, 2008

Dear Parents /  Guardians:

By now you have received the most important word about your child's success for the fall term of 2007 - their report card.  The faculty and staff at Monticello High School hope their report card is a positive one.  If you have any concerns about child's credits for graduation, please feel free to contact our counselors.

The fall term to have been a success to us at MHS. Classes seemed to be focused on the curriculum.  Our staff and worked very hard at achieving the MHS goals and expectations that are set before them by the No Child Left Behind Act and the Arkansas Department of Education.

Our 9th grade students have adjusted well to the high school.  Our sophomore classes have taken the ACT Plan test and will be scheduled to take the end of course test in either Algebra, Geometry or Biology this spring.

Our juniors are preparing for the 11th Literacy EOC which will be given in March.

The seniors are continuing to take rigorous courses to help better prepare them for their future.

MHS 2007 ACT scores were above the state averages in English (21.1), Mathematics (20.7), Reading (21.5), and Science (20.4).  MHS Composite Scores of 21.2 was an increase from 19.8 in 2006.

Five Year Trends -  Average ACT Scores

Our football team advanced to the 2nd round of the state playoffs after finishing 2nd in the conference.  Both boys and girls basketball season have begun.  The teams are playing extremely hard and we hope both teams will be in the AAAAA state tournament.

The Monticello High School choir and band had exceptional Christmas performances.  The choir performed with the Pine Bluff Symphony at the UAM auditorium in December.

Our EAST Lab has several community and school based projects that affect our society and school.  Pod casting is a form of technology that gives teachers a way to enrich their curriculum and encourages students/teacher collaboration.  The City Sidewalk Project offers citizens a safe route for walking and will connect all schools with sidewalks.  After school enrichment provides the use of modern day technology for elementary students and introduces the elementary students to EAST concepts.  The Billie Family Project provides a consistent, caring, role model for underprivileged elementary students.  The Senior Seminar provides seniors with vital information about real world applications and management skills.

Several of our MHS students have enrolled in concurrent credit (college and high school credit) courses.  A student must have an ACT of 19 or above or its equivalent on and approved assessment.  Courses such as English Comp I / II, AP Literature I / II, College Algebra, AP European History, and Survey of Math are available.  Business and vocational courses are offered concurrently as well with no ACT requirement.  All of these courses are free to the student if they qualify.  The value of an education is very important at MHS.

Many of our clubs and organizations are actively involved in promoting a positive culture at MHS and community.  We would like to encourage you to be an active partner with us to develop our students' abilities to be successful in the 21st Century.  Please help us by continuing to monitor your child's progress at school and demand your child to do their best.  Together we can make a difference in the life of a young teenager.

Sincerely,

Kenny Pennington

Principal

MHS percentages for ACT-Tested Students Ready for College-Level Coursework