National Publication Honors MCHS

For the fourth year in a row, McDonald County High School has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report in its ranking of best high schools.

According to the school district's website, "The magazine ranked over 20,000 high schools from across all 50 states. MCHS earned a bronze medal and was recognized in both the national and state rankings. The periodical ranks schools according to student achievement on state mandated testing and on college preparedness."

It's exciting to be mentioned in a nationally known magazine," said Greg Leach, principal of McDonald County High School, "We know we have a good high school. It's nice to get that recognition nationally. We always do well in the state."

He noted that a lot of schools on the list were either charter schools, private schools or schools in big cities.

"It's even harder as a rural school, I think, to make this list, especially with the challenges we face with the number of multicultural students we have. One of the challenges we overcome is a high percentage of minority enrollment and a high percentage of students that are socioeconomically challenged.

"With all the challenges we face, our students are just as high performing as anywhere in the state. We have an outstanding faculty that steps up to the challenge of teaching all students. The accolades go to our faculty and our students."

Leach hopes next year to earn the ranking's silver medal. He said already the school's English proficiency is up to 80 percent this year, compared with 61 percent last year. Test scores are better this year, and the graduation rate should be better this year as well.

"Our district focus is on literacy," he said. "We feel that as we continue to build on literacy K-12, our students should become more and more successful, not just on state exams, but successful in whatever future they choose, whether college or more career-oriented."

Every year the high school tries to build on its dual credit offerings and advanced placement classes, he added. A big part of getting the silver medal will be making sure students are college-ready.

"It's our goal to be prescriptive so every student gets what they need from our high school," Leach said. "Some may not go to college, but we always want to prepare them academically in case they do want to go in that direction."