Mills University Studies High School

Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School
Established	1970
Type	Public secondary
Principal	Dr. Veronica Perkins
Faculty	unknown
Students	750 (2011-12)
Grades	9-12
Location	1205 E. Dixon Road, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Colors	Green Gold, and Black
Mascot	Comets
Website	[1]

Mills University Studies High School is a secondary school in Little Rock, Arkansas serving students in grades 9 through 12 and is one of six high schools within the Pulaski County Special School District. The school opened in 1970 and is named after the late Congressman Wilbur Daigh Mills. While drawing students from around its home area (e.g., College Station & Sweet Home), Mills also contains a hybrid Gifted & Talented magnet school focusing on college preparation through Advanced Placement courses. It is also the only high school in the PCSSD which is authorized to develop new AP courses.^{[citation needed]}

Academics

Mills is accredited through the North Central Association. In 2003 it was ranked as the 20th "best" high school in the nation^{[citation needed]} The Top of the Class, Newsweek, 2007, http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380/?s=Mills+University+Studies, retrieved 2008-07-14 , according to the value of the ratio that exists between number of graduating seniors compared with the number of AP Exams administered to those seniors. In 2007, Mills was ranked 32nd "best" high school in the nation.^{[citation needed]} The Mills program emphasizes involvement in the Advanced Placement Program which allows students to earn college credit through integration in the high school curriculum.

From 2003-2007, Mills University Studies was named to be among the top 100 best high schools in the nation according to the Newsweek magazine's Top 1300 US Schools, although in recent years it has been slipping lower.^{[citation needed]} Public schools are ranked according to a ratio called the Challenge Index.

According to the school's website, Mills students have consistently receive recognition for academic excellence including:

• U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
• National Merit Scholar
• National Merit Finalists
• National Merit Semifinalists
• United States Senate Youth Program
• United States Senate Page Program
• National Achievement Semifinalists
• National Achievement Finalists
• Arkansas Governor's School
• Advanced Placement Scholars
• AP Scholars with Honors
• AP Scholars with Distinction
• AP National Scholars

Mills Scholar Students have obtained admissions to numerous selective colleges and universities including: Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Yale University, Vanderbilt University, St. Andrews University, Oberlin College, Amherst College, Swarthmore College, Morehouse College, University of Notre Dame, Williams College, Bowdoin College, Georgetown University, Brown University, Duke University, Macalester College, Lawrence University, Wesleyan University, Rhodes College, Hendrix College, Stanford University, Harvard College, Princeton University, Westminster College among many others. Many students obtain scholarships, sometimes giving them a full ride to college.

Extracurricular activities

As of 2005, extracurricular clubs include the Student Council, debate squad, the Young Democrats, Teenage Republicans, Art Club, FBLA, FCCLA, Army JROTC, Model United Nations, Drama Club, Quiz Bowl, as well as their orchestra program directed by Jim Hatch, conductor of the Arkansas Youth Orchestra and principal bass player of the Arkansas Symphony.

Athletics

The Mills Comets enjoy a strong tradition in interscholastic athletic activities, including three baseball state championships, The Arkansas Activities Association 2003-04 Class 4A basketball title, and 4 bowling state titles. Other sports include soccer, football, track, golf and volleyball.

The Comets compete in the Class 5A-Southeast conference with Sylvan Hills High School, West Helena Central, Watson Chapel, Monticello Billies, Crossett Eagles, White Hall Bulldogs, and North Pulaski Falcons.

Alma Mater

Look at us! Look at us!
We are a team with a possible dream,
And together we'll hold,
To the Green and Gold
Look at us! Look at us!
This is our time, our place, our season,
Our chance to grow,
In knowledge and reason,
This is our game, remember our name,
Look at us, Mills High!
This is our game, remember our name
Look at us, Mills High!

Notable alumni

• Kris Allen - American Idol Winner
• Marcus Harrison - Defensive Lineman, Chicago Bears^[1]

References

1. ^ http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8867

External links

• Mills University Studies High School
• Pulaski County Special School District