Advanced and Directed Studies

The Directed Studies instructional support program in these grades is designed to support the unique learner in a small group setting for math and language arts instruction. Grade-level objectives guide what is taught, and a variety of curricular materials and diverse teaching methodologies enhance students’ acquisition of critical concepts and skills.

Students with diagnosed mild learning differences are eligible to participate, and families pay an additional fee for these individualized services.

Individual and small group support are provided under the umbrella of personalized mentoring services in a learning-laboratory setting as part of the school day or A/B rotation. Specifically, student accommodation plans guide the provision of a secure learning space where learners receive course-specific tutoring; advocacy; refinement of social, emotional, and cognitive self-management skills; and focused preparation for the transition to college.

Students with diagnosed mild learning differences are eligible to participate, and there is an additional fee for this program.

Developed by the Directed Studies faculty, personalized plans outline how classroom instruction and assessment will support a student's unique learning profile. Guidance and Directed Studies faculty work together with teachers to design course-specific interventions consistent with the accommodation plans. Once the plans are initiated within the classroom, support faculty ensures ongoing student advocacy and consistent monitoring of student progress.

These supplemental services are provided as part of the classroom learning environment at no additional cost for eligible students.

To meet the needs of these students, lower school teachers may offer an accelerated curriculum within the classroom. Teachers believe this allows advanced learners to continue to progress educationally at a rate that fits their learning profile and prevents feelings of boredom and frustration.

Fourth and fifth grades also provide advanced mathematics and language arts classes for students who qualify.

The ENCORE enrichment program is a gifted-calibre pull-out class offered to qualifying students in grades 3-5. ENCORE provides opportunities for additional challenge and concentrated project-based learning to facilitate deeper problem-solving skills. There is an additional fee for ENCORE.

In middle school, many students qualify for advanced math and/or advanced language arts courses. In addition, eighth-grade students may qualify for advanced content in science and math with high-school level curriculum. Accelerated math is also offered to eighth-graders who qualify.

MPCS high school offers a wide range of curricular offerings, challenging students to develop analytical abilities and problem-solving skills. With more than 59 Advanced Placement (AP) and honors course offerings spanning the curriculum, students are challenged to pursue course content normally reserved for college. Honors courses offered in every content area (except Bible) provide added academic challenge for students who wish to delve more deeply into a specific content area.

The innovative STEM/STEAM program with Project Lead The Way® (AP-level) curriculum introduces students to the engineering design process, which is in high demand throughout the modern business world.

Seniors achieve 100-percent acceptance to top four-year colleges and universities, and graduating classes have earned more than $8 million in scholarships annually, even before adding the HOPE/Zell grants. Dedicated teachers are highly qualified in their subject matter and committed to providing enriched learning experiences for all learners.