POINTS of PRIDE: Missouri Valley

Super. Dress & Princ. Kruckman

Welcome to Missouri Valley High School where the Power of 1 is exemplified.  The Power of 1 was a research project where students who had no relationships with staff at school had an average success rate of 48% but with one relationship that % rose to an 80% success rate. Missouri Valley High School has taken this research project and applied it to its work.  The names of students are presented, and if a staff person has a relationship with that person, the name is removed and those relationships are encouraged to continue.  Those student names remaining are the ones assigned a staff person so that the Power of 1 can help impact the success of those students in need.

DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS:
Enrollment 833
Free & Reduced Lunch 47-49%

Initiatives in this district include developmental studies in literacy at elementary and middle school, additional literacy time at the high school, and tiered Algebra courses.  Iowa Core conversations include vertical alignment and implementation with fidelity.  Both the elementary and Middle School use AIMS/Web as their screener in literacy and math with a focus on analysis of data.  There is a high special education population but the label does not matter in this district - all are served at the highest of levels with highly qualified teachers.

A strong partnership exists with Iowa Western, offering a great Career and Tech emphasis.  Students spend part of their day on the high school campus and the community college campus to aid in eventual transition to full time college attendance.  CAD programs provide a variety of problem-solving activities.  Leadership in this district proudly reports their health science is one of the strongest in the state. 

Missouri Valley High School is labeled a "user friendly" campus, and they are in the process of building sidewalks for community walking trails.  At the elementary school, the playground is eco friendly and labeled a rain garden. 

Many opportunities are provided for high school students to excel in the classroom and also in extra curricular activities.  They have a 250 seat auditorium and offer quiz bowl, art clubs, science clubs, and math clubs.  Homeroom period is 30 minutes before lunch.  On Mondays and Wednesdays this time is spent on academic work while the other three days a week it is spent in clubs.  Key Club, a student version of Rotary, is offered and community service is emphasized.

The elementary has been the proud recipient of over 27 STEM grants.  The high school uses the Kid Wind STEM program in their environmental science class.  They are not 1-to-1 with laptops but are building capacity through classroom carts and labs.  One evidence of strong community support was a DCAT grant that provided funds for a family fun night at the high school for grades K-12 including a health fair, games, activities, and a meal.  Over 500 attended.

Leadership in this district is proud of the dedication and quality of its staff.  Its that staff that makes the district vision come alive:  "Creating an engaging environment that fosters inquisitive learners who can effectively apply their skills in an ever-changing world."