Mesquite High School (Mesquite, Texas)

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Mesquite High School
File:Mesquite High School (Mesquite, Texas) logo.png
"Where the tradition began."
Location
300 E. Davis St.
Mesquite, Texas, 75149
USA
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Information
Type Free public
Established 1901
School district Mesquite Independent School District
Principal Kevin Samples [1]
Grades 9 - 12
Enrollment 2,842 Students[2]
Campus type Suburban
Color(s) Maroon and White          
Mascot Stormy the Skeeter
Website http://www.mesquiteisd.org/mhs/

Mesquite High School is a high school in Mesquite, Texas. MHS serves Mesquite and a small portion of Balch Springs for the grades 9 through 12 and is a part of the Mesquite Independent School District. Total enrollment for the school as of October 2011 was 2,804 and therefore places it in the UIL 6A division. "Stormy the Skeeter" is the school mascot for the school's various athletic teams (all known with some variant of the word "Skeeter") and the school's colors are Maroon and White.

History

In the March 1901, the Mesquite Independent School District was incorporated at the behest of the citizens of Mesquite Texas to serve the primary and secondary educational needs of the city. The first school was established at the current site of MHS in 1902 with an enrollment of approximately 200 students. A new high school was built on the property in June 1923. MHS was officially recognized as an accredited high school in June 1924 by the Texas State Department of Education, thus allowing its students to attend Texas colleges and universities without having to take remedial coursework. Additional expansions occurred during 1938 and 1939 as a part of the Works Progress Administration created by President Roosevelt. A historical marker can be found at the street side of L. building and an WPA placard can be found on the outside of the art room to mark these significant events in MHS' history.

MHS students became known as "Skeeters" in 1944. This was a simplification of the traditional "Mesquiters" which had been the previous mascot name for the school. 1954 marked a significant change at MHS when the district relocated all its other existing grade levels to other sites within the city and the campus was solely dedicated to high school education. Integration of the school began in 1964 when area African-American students were allowed to enroll at MHS for the first time. During 1966, a six phase renovation project plan began. The final phase of construction was completed in 1999.

Academics

School performance

Historically, 1954 marked a significant change at MHS when the district relocated all its other existing grade levels to other sites within the city and the campus was solely dedicated to high school education.[3] This change, however, has not stopped the growth in services MHS offers to its students; Mesquite High School offers a broad array of basic "core classes" revolving around mathematics, English, science, and the social sciences as well as more specialized technical classes such as agriculture, web mastering, automotive technical training, and even cosmotology.[4] The school also hosts its own library[5] and participates with a radio-broadcasting station.[6] Both of these, especially the latter, are designed to be partially student operated with instructors and teachers there operating as supervisors for the students.[7]

For a benchmark of student progress and as an exit exam, Mesquite High School uses the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) on most students entering and exiting MHS. The tests are administered every year for grades 9-11 and are given as remedial tests for graduating seniors who have not passed the previous year's tests.[8] Ranked against the district and the state, MHS falls behind in terms of students successfully meeting the TAKS expectations for the grades 9-11.[9]

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Mesquite High School, like most in the area, has been pushing the agenda on getting students active and interested in pursuing a future college education after high school with a number of measures. One of these, the Advanced Placement (AP) program, offers classes in a multiple array of courses which can, if the criteria are met, be used to apply for college credit in the chosen course.[10] These classes are supplemented in part by a program known as Dual Study whereby students can attend actual college courses on college campuses and earn credit towards that class.[11] To students identified as able to learn on the same level as college students, the school also offers an accelerated program known as the Distinguished Achievement Program, or DAP, to give said students a leg-up on learning and success in the college academic atmosphere.[12] The result of much of this has been that MHS enjoys a large amount of graduating seniors who attempt either the ACT or SAT prior to applying to a college. This, however, is mixed against the fact that out of the roughly 71% who attempt either, only 16% arrive at the "At/Above Criterion".[13]

Band and choir programs

MHS has a fine arts programs, which includes band, choir, orchestra, dance, and theatre. The Mighty Maroon Band has placed in first division at UIL competitions repeatedly. The same goes for the choir. MHS's choral program is considered one of the best in the state, placing first division in UIL competitions multiple times in the past several years. MHS choir also has a show choir program (Pizzazz), consisting of 12 select varsity singers.

School dress code

As with other schools in the Mesquite Independent School District, MHS adheres to the MISD Standard Dress Policy[14] which defines inappropriate dress from that which is acceptable at all post-elementary MISD schools. The goal of this new policy has been defined as promoting dress that:

is appropriate for the learning environment. Maintaining a school atmosphere suitable for academic study will help students focus on the business of school. The Standard Dress Policy is a vital step toward furthering excellence and better preparing our students for college, careers, and life as adults.[15]

Athletics

The school fields several athletic teams in UIL 5A competition, including a football team that won the 5A Division I State Championship in 2001, and runner up in 4A Division I State Championship in 1974, losing to the Brazoswood Buccaneers.[16] The school is noted for their football team but has come to be recognized by all of its sporting programs. The Skeeters men's basketball team has made it deep into the playoffs for the past four years (2006–2009) and won the state championship tournament after an undefeated season (2007). The team is currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation with 3 division 1 signees (2009). The Skeeters are also known for their volleyball team who went undefeated the past three years in district (2008) and lost far into the playoffs (2007). The Skeeters are also known for their school spirit, with students donning full body paint and motivational signs to come out and support their various sports teams. They are most frequently seen at Men's basketball, volleyball, and football games. They are seen as an integral part to athletic success.

Feeding patterns and school demographics

Mesquite High School's relatively large size owes largely to the broad base upon which it draws students from. Directly, the school receives new freshmen from Agnew, A.C. New and Wilkinson Middle Schools with those schools, in turn, receiving students from the elementary schools Black, Gentry, Gray, Hanby, Tisinger, Mackey, Moss, and Shaw.[17]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ AskTED View Details. Retrieved on 24 January 2015.
  3. ↑ MHS History. Retrieved on 9 January 2009.
  4. ↑ Pages 25, 26, & 27. Retrieved on 7 January 2009
  5. ↑ Skeeter Library Online. Retrieved on 8 January 2009.
  6. ↑ KEOM 88.5. Retrieved on 9 January 2009.
  7. ↑ KEOM 88.5 "About". Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  8. ↑ Course Guide: TAKS Exit Level Tests P.91-99. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  9. ↑ TAKS Met 2008 Standard (Sum of All Grades Tested, INCLUDES SELECTED TAKS (Accommodated)). Retrieved on 8 January 2009.
  10. ↑ Course Description Guide, P. 5. Retrieved on 8 January 2009
  11. ↑ Course Description Guide, P. 14. Retrieved on 8 January 2009.
  12. ↑ Course Description Guide, P. 11. Retrieved on 8 January 2009.
  13. ↑ Texas Success Initiative (TSI)– Higher Education Readiness Component (INCLUDES TAKS (Accommodated)). Retrieved on 8 January 2009.
  14. ↑ [1]. Retrieved on 29 December 2009
  15. ↑ [2]. Retrieved on 29 December 2009
  16. ↑ UIL State Football Champions. Retrieved on 10 May 2008.
  17. ↑ Mesquite High School: Feeder Schools. Retrieved on 9 January 2009.

External links

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