Mason City High School

1700 Fourth Street SE, Mason City, IA  50401-4456

Phone (641) 421-4436

Fax (641) 421-4523

 



Statement of Mission

 

To provide quality education for all in a caring

and responsive environment.

 


 


Welcome to Mason City High School's web page.  We are a school of 1250+ students which prides itself on establishing a community of learners within a comprehensive high school.  Our mission statement directs us all to be continuous learners.  Several ways in which we are able to build that community include the following:

·        We provide a diverse curriculum for all students we serve.  Areas of specific interest would be our individualized programming for the gifted, seven Advanced Placement courses, complete special education programming, both academic and applied curricular offerings, joint programming with the area community college in 15 career programs, opportunities for post secondary options and the first Information Systems Technology hub in the state of Iowa.

 

·        Our staff participates in extensive professional growth activities each week.  This year, our focus continues to be reading skill enhancement for our students.  We pride ourselves on continuing to learn all that is possible about teaching and learning so we will be successful now and in the future.

 

·        Each faculty member works with a group of advisees to advocate for them through their high school experience and to assist the individual students in preparation for their individual Senior celebration where portfolios demonstrating the district learning goals are presented.  In addition, as part of the Advisor-Advisee program, ALL students are invited and encouraged to become involved in our Silver Cord program – a program that stresses the value and importance of volunteer service to both school and community.

 

We at Mason City High School believe that intellectual, psychological, emotional and physical health, are all essential for a positive learning climate.  Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, individual learning profiles and focus on the self-directed learner.  Faculty is hired with focus on three attributes:  the attitude and desire to build positive relationships with students; the ability to understand the complexity of student learning; and the skill to intellectually challenge students.  We are proud of our faculty of 78 who can be characterized as caring – with high expectations!  Joining them are paraprofessionals, secretaries, food-service personnel and custodians who believe that at MCHS the students are our "clients."

Mason City High School has four major goals for the 2007-2008 school year.  They are:

1.      Facilitate progress on attaining the district’s math, reading, and science goals which calls for increasing the number of students deemed to be proficient in each of these areas as determined by district-wide measures.

2.      Learn about and implement strategies to improved student reading skills in ALL classes.  It is our simple belief that quality reading skills lead to quality learning – and we are committed to both.

3.      Develop strategies to improve the culture and climate in our building, with the focus to be on such areas as respectfulness for all, elimination of harassment, improved “people skills,” and awareness of poverty issues and their impact.

4.      Create and foster a spirit of service to others in our school by continuing the Silver Cord program that encourages and recognizes student volunteerism to the school and the community.

 

The Mason City High School directory page, complete with faculty voicemail and email information is included on this web site.  Please feel free to contact us at (641) 421-4431 for additional information or by voicemail at 421-1460.  We also extend an invitation for you to visit us at any time.

 

Sincerely,

 

Douglas L. Kennedy

 

Douglas L. Kennedy

MCHS - Principal