By: bbb123 on 3/19/10
As a parent with children in MCS, my concern is the lack of programs for high achievers and gifted in our ZONED schools. There is a misconception they can only be served at Discovery (by many administrators). Since Discovery opened, Merit has been dropped from MCS and many in the system will tell you the zoned schools don't need it. I think they do and that is the way this system can come off the NCLB Watch list. Although we have many struggling students, we are ignoring the fact that we are a DIVERSE system & we also have high achievers and gifted at ALL schools including the zoned schools. On the North end (especially the schools we have tried to socio-balanced) I am seeing MCS lose alot of high achievers and gifted to private schools like St. Rose, Providence, MCS, home schooled, zoning waivers to county and even moving out of Murfreesboro citing the lack of advanced programming. It was only when Oakland created both the IB program & programs for struggling that it came off the NCLB watch list - it is time for MSC to do the same. Smyrna Primary (another title 1 school) just started and inducted students in to the National Honor Society. There is no reason some of the programs at Discovery, Merit, National Honor Society, and stronger programs for high achievers and gifted in general cannot be implemented at ALL zoned schools. I think these programs will add tremendously to a great system where we really have wonderful teachers and leaders!