Not all students graduating this spring from the University of Mississippi High School were able to attend a physical graduation ceremony, but several traveled to Oxford to participate. They are, from left, Nicolas Thomas of Arlington, Texas, Logan Johnson of Crystal Springs, Jimmie Ann Hall of Nettleton and Tyler Tatum of Clinton.
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi has enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years, with the overall student body expanding a remarkable 22 percent, to nearly 24,000 students, since 2010. The university’s schools of Engineering and Journalism and New Media have recorded even more impressive gains over that span, growing by 61 percent and 152 percent, respectively.
But no academic unit on campus has grown as rapidly as the University of Mississippi High School, where enrollment has surged 594 percent over the past five years, growing from 47 students in fall 2010 to 326 students this fall.
The school, which recently successfully renewed its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, or SACS CASI-AdvancED, also has seen its course enrollments increase by a staggering 935 percent over the same span.
“Schools and parents like working with us,” said Ellen Shelton, UMHS director. “They know we are a rigorous school, and the students will receive a quality education. Sadly, there are several online programs that do not challenge students. Schools like that our teachers are all certified in their content areas and that the teachers interact with the students.”
The school’s faculty includes 23 certified teachers, many of whom teach in a Mississippi school district. These faculty members include four new teachers who are working to expand the UMHS curriculum to include physical education, psychology and a social studies course entitled “Problems in Democracy.”
Students also like the flexibility and convenience that the school offers.
“The best thing about completing my degree with UMHS was the fact that I could work independently from home and at my own pace,” said Jimmie Ann Hall of Nettleton, who graduated from UMHS in May as the valedictorian of the Class of 2015. “I believe the quality of education with the program is superior and my teachers were great.”
Working at her own pace also attracted Andrea Hightower, who served as Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2015, to the school. Hightower attended Oxford High School until last fall, when her travel schedule made it difficult for her to maintain a regular classroom schedule.
“I love it,” Hightower said. “For me, this is a lot easier. It can be hard for students who aren’t self-motivated, but it really works well for me, with my travel schedule and everything else I have going on.”
A senior, Hightower has completed three courses through UMHS and is taking Computer Science and English III this fall.
“The classes are not as tightly structured,” she said. “I can spend 30 minutes on a class one day and two hours on it the next. That works so much better for me.”
Being able to obtain high school course credits through an accredited online program makes it possible for some students – including many older students who are returning to school – to complete their diploma, Shelton said.
“We are continually striving to foster and implement strategies that will provide the best education possible for our students,” she said.
Those efforts were acknowledged recently when Shelton received confirmation that SACS CASI had renewed the school’s accreditation. The rigorous five-year review provides a nationally recognized accreditation process that is used to continue school improvement focused on increasing student performance each year.
To earn accreditation, schools must meet SACS CASI-AdvancED’s high standards, which include an on-site evaluation by a team of professionals from outside the school as well as implementation of continuous school improvement goals.
“SACS CASI accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners,” said Mark Elgart, president and CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of SACS CASI. “The University of Mississippi High School is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.”
The reaccreditation process serves as an in-depth look into factors such as course content, student data, and impact to families, students and the community, as well as measurements for student success.
“The review team was pleased with our course content and the focus we put on communication with parents and students,” Shelton said. “We will be continually assessing our program so that we keep pursuing excellence and implementing strategies that will benefit students in the program.”
The benefit of accreditation to UMHS students and families is not only knowing that the program is exceeding national standards and providing outstanding learning opportunities, but also that the credits earned will be easily accepted by accredited public and private high schools for graduation. For UMHS diploma-route students, the SACS accreditation ensures that their degree is accepted for admission to any accredited college or university.
“We are attractive to students because we offer an alternative education and academic opportunities beyond what a traditional school can offer,” Shelton said. “We are not competitors with the local schools; instead, we can enhance what a school can offer to its students.”
More information about the UM High School can be found online at http://www.olemiss.edu/hsathome.