Midland Public Schools

Midland Public Schools
Experience the Excellence
Address
600 E Carpenter Street Midland, Michigan 48640
Information
School type	Public, school district
Founded	1919
School board	Lee A. Rouse, President Kenneth D. Mault, Vice President Gerald L. Wasserman, Secretary Joe Trombka, Treasurer Lynn M. Baker, Trustee Suzii LaCross, Trustee Rick Ohle, Trustee[1]
Superintendent	Carl R. Ellinger
Staff	1,101[2]
Grades	Pre-K–12
Enrollment	8,952[2]  (September, 2008)
Campus	Rural
Area	Midland, Michigan
Website	http://www.mps.k12.mi.us

Midland Public Schools is a public school district located in Midland, Michigan, USA.

History

The roots of Midland Public Schools go back to the 1872 Union High School, which educated local students until a boiler explosion destroyed the building in 1907. A new school was constructed the following year using a large donation from the local Dow Chemical Company. The institution was renamed Midland High School (MHS), and their nickname was “Chemics”. By the mid-1930s, the student population had grown and the second, larger MHS was built in 1937. The 1908 (first) MHS was used as an elementary school, then as the intermediate school until Northeast Intermediate was opened in 1950. Student populations climbed higher and a third MHS was completed in late 1955, larger than ever. For the 1956-57 school year, the high school moved to the new building and the 1937 (second) MHS became Central Intermediate, the second middle school in Midland. The 1908 (first) MHS was torn down in 1957. For the 1963-64 school year, Jefferson Intermediate was opened to handle children from the Post-World War II baby boom. Midland High School was overcrowded again, but the decision was made to build a second high school in Midland, less than ten years after the current MHS was completed. Herbert Henry Dow High School opened to sophomores in 1968, and added one grade each year until the first class graduated in 1971. A freshman class was added to high schools in 1997 and intermediate schools changed from grades 7-8-9 to 6-7-8; school names were changed from Intermediate to Middle School. Elementary schools gained classrooms when they lost grade 6.

Consolidation

As Michigan's economy worsened in 2009, the school board debated alternatives to reduce expenses in preparation for a $3–6 million reduction in state funding. Enrollment had been declining for several years to a point where the district's 12 elementary schools were below two-thirds capacity and several needed to be closed. Only one elementary school was projected to close for the 2009-2010 school year, but three more were planned for 2010-2011 when students zoned for Central Middle School would be sent to Jefferson and Northeast Middle Schools. Consolidation of the district's administrative offices was proposed, as well as relocation to a closed elementary school.^[3]

On December 15, 2009, the board elected to close five elementary schools beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. The schools chosen for closure were Chippewassee, Longview, Parkdale, Mills and Cook. The majority of the students of these schools will be moved en masse to other elementary schools.^[4]

Middle schools

As of the 2008-2009 school year, Midland had three middle schools teaching grades 6, 7 & 8. Prior to 1997, they included grades 7-8-9 and were known as intermediate schools.

Husky	Jefferson Middle School is the newest middle school in the district, opening in 1963. It is located on the north side of the city and is the main feeder school for Dow High School.[5] It was originally called North Intermediate, but was renamed for nearby Jefferson Avenue to resolve confusion with Northeast Intermediate. Jefferson’s team mascot is the Husky (dog breed) and colors are red and white. Jim Clark and Clayton Wetmore were the first principal and assistant principal, respectively.	Jefferson Middle School
Viking	Northeast Middle School, which opened in 1950, is located on the northeast side of town and is the main feeder school for Midland High School, which is nearby.[6] Northeast’s team mascot is the Viking (maritime marauder) and colors are green and white. It has the largest middle school student population in the district..	Northeast Middle School
Cavalier	Central Middle School, is located in the building that served as Midland High School from 1937 to 1955. The building is situated in the center of town, and sends students to both Midland High School and Dow High School. [7] Central’s team mascot is the Cavalier (swaggering swashbuckler) and colors are blue and white. It has the smallest middle school student population and is the oldest facility in the district.	Central Middle School

Curriculum

• All sixth graders are required to take the following classes: Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Western Hemisphere. Electives include: Orchestra, Band, Choir, Spanish, Art & Physical Education.
• All seventh graders are required to take the following classes: English, Math, Science and Eastern Hemisphere. Full year electives include: Orchestra, Band, Choir, Spanish, French & German. Semester electives are Physical Education, Careers/Health, Art, Keyboarding, World of Technology, Life Management & Learning Strategies.
• All eighth graders are required to take the following classes: English, Math, Science and US History. Full year electives include: Orchestra, Band, Choir, Spanish 1&2, French 1&2 & German 1&2. Semester electives are Physical Education, PE/Swimming, Topics for Teens, Art, Business Computer Applications, Theatre, Computerized Design Technology, Life Management & Learning Strategies.^[8]

Sports

Seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic activities. Sports for girls include basketball, swimming, volleyball & track. Boys sports are basketball, football, wrestling, & track. Six graders are not eligible to compete.

Extracurricular activities

Music is the primary artistic activity at all the middle schools. The Band, Orchestra and Choir all perform concerts during the year. Art is also offered.

Other available activities include:

• Drama Club
• Computer Club
• Forensics
• Student Council
• Yearbook
• Newspaper
• STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition

Demographics

As of 2006, Midland Public schools is 91.8% White, 2.8% Asian or Pacific Islander, 2.5% Black, 2.2% Hispanic, 0.5% American Indian and 0.2% Multi-Racial.^[9]

MPS-TV

The school district has its own community cable Public-access television channel known as MPS-TV. The station broadcasts via the city's Charter Communications cable provider. A broadcast schedule and additional information is available on the MPS-TV web site. On cable TV it's channel 17.

Athletic Facilities

High schools

Midland Community Stadium, which seats 7,500, is located next door to Midland High School, but is shared by both schools as their home field for football & soccer games and track meets.^[10] Dow High School has a field with limited seating and no lighting that is used primarily for daytime junior varsity contests. Dow High School has an indoor pool with spectator seating for 1,000 that is shared by both schools as their home pool.

Middle schools

Central Middle School has the only lighted middle school field which, prior to 1955, was the Midland High School stadium. It is shared by all three middle schools for football games and track meets. Central Middle School does not have a pool, but uses the facilities at the nearby Midland Community Center, which is also the home pool for all middle school swim meets because the pools at Northeast and Jefferson have very limited spectator seating.

References

1. ^ [1] Midland Public Schools website, Board of Education members
2. ^ ^{a b} [2] Midland Public Schools, Fast Facts brochure
3. ^ McGuire, Abby: [3] Midland Daily News, March 10, 2009-MPS proposes moving Eastlawn students to Central
4. ^ Midland Daily News, 12/15/2009
5. ^ Michigan Local School Directory.com: Jefferson Middle School, Midland
6. ^ Michigan Local School Directory.com: Northeast Middle School, Midland
7. ^ Michigan Local School Directory.com: Central Middle School, Midland
8. ^ Central Middle School homepage: Curriculum
9. ^ "Midland Public Schools, Michigan". School Matters. http://www.schoolmatters.com/schools.aspx/q/page=dp/did=5730. 
10. ^ MidlandOnline: Feb 2, 2000: Midland High School

External links

	Michigan portal
	Schools portal

• Midland Public Schools homepage