POINTS of PRIDE: Mediapolis

Curriculum Director Kerr and Superintendent Ray

According to Superintendent Greg Ray, "At Mediapolis, we are committed to giving students an education that goes beyond expectations.  This is an education that focuses on helping each
child find academic success and experience personal growth.  We are also committed to equipping our students with the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st Century."  Part of equipping students with skills for the 21st Century includes a wide range of offerings at Mediapolis.  One program is the Robotics Club which in its 1st Tech Challenge qualified for state.  (This program is now in year two.)  With between 20-30 students competing in speech contest, all got 1s and every group qualified for state with one group qualifying for All State.  Marching Band earned a 1 at state competition.  In 2014 the Mediapolis team was the regional winner in the ExploraVision competition.  This district is proud of the academic offerings it provides for its students but is also well-known for its successful athletics:  making football playoffs, a Cross Country team which qualified for state, Volleyball team conference champs, wrestlers with 8 to state and one champ along with two third place medals, and a 3rd place finish in wrestling duals.  It's a winning environment with each success celebrated by all.

District Demographics:
Enrollment - 850
Free & Reduced Lunch - 27%

Mediapolis remains strong in its academic offerings.  In Middle School they have Project Lead the Way through Gateway materials.  Mediapolis shares high school Project Lead the Way with Burlington.  With a focus on financial literacy, Mediapolis has a bank branch in a designated classroom in the high school (in its first year).  Students complete applications and are hired to work in the school bank.  This is an actual bank and serves as a branch for a local entity, Mediapolis Saving Bank.  Students can also take courses through concurrent enrollment.

To keep instruction moving forward, Professional Learning Communities focus on Characteristics of Effective Instruction where teachers engage in respectful activities and observe one another in a non-judgmental way.  Professional development focuses on technology integration and goal-setting for teams and individuals, meeting two times a month from 1:30 - 3:30. 

In an effort to add to the aesthetic quality of their buildings, artist Craig Jacoba was hired to paint murals in the gym.  Comfortable seating awaits those attending concerts in the auditorium and historical documents add to the welcoming physical environment.

Community support is exceptional at Mediapolis.  Community volunteers are recorded in their volunteer handbook.  The Mediapolis Education Foundation has provided a climbing wall and a greenhouse to enrich programs offered in this district.

According to Wade Boggs, "A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.  It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results." One only needs to visit Mediapolis to see how a positive attitude creates a chain reaction of excellence resulting in the extraordinary!