Mary Persons High School

This school has excellent academic success. In standardized testing, it exceeds state averages. The faculty is well rounded, educated, and very excited about being in the classroom. I should know, I work there! :) Our principal is always trying to find ways to help our school improve. Wouldn't work anywhere else! (I have in the past and there is no comparison)
--Submitted by a teacher

The school has some great teachers, and a few that need to be removed. If your child has a disability, you can expect to be labeled as a 'trouble maker' if you insist that your child's right are respected and protected. Honors only go to those at the top 5% of the class. If your child has straight A's, but doesn't take the AP classes, you can expect your child to be tossed about like trash. There is no respect for parents at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Ever since powerschool was a resource to parents, they have become more involved with the school. I believe that Mary Persons connects with parents as well as students quite efficiently through the internet. Parental involvement motivates the students to excel. Although there are some 'dud teachers'there are a lot of really great teachers. It has a wide variety of people and a unique social environment, but is very clique-ish. The staff is a bit unorganized, but they get the job done. They often tend to focus on the rule book more than the text book. Mary Persons is okay, but brace yourself for the small town atmosphere.
--Submitted by a student

I am a current student at MPHS and I thoroughly enjoy attending Mary Persons. While, yes...the administration could use a little bit of work, the teachers overall are wonderful. I think that they really do care(and I KNOW they care) and they will do anything to help the students succeed in their classroom. There are many different extracurricular activities offered(we have a GREAT sports program) and the fine arts classes are awesome too! I think, overall, MPHS is a wonderful school, but with a small-town atmosphere.
--Submitted by a student

I have two children that graduated from Mary Persons High School. They have both been well prepared for college. They seemed to be the most prepared in English and history and both have even considered careers in education. Many of the students from surrounding private schools have transferred to Mary Persons because of its reputation in the classroom as well as in sports.
--Submitted by a parent

As a graduate of Mary Persons High School in 1991, I would have to say that the education system in Monroe County is above average if not of the highest quality. The Teachers are very open and willing to work with Students who are willing to put forth the effort to learn. The school also works hard to build and maintain relationships with the parents of the students so there is interaction at all levels. I would say that I have accomplished alot due to the education I received at Mary Persons. Some of the teachers were aggrevations at time, but as a student you will have that perception until you realize those teachers are the ones that challenge you the most. These teachers are great since most of the teachers I have had have gone on to achieve their PHD's, that tells me they are devoted to the learning process.
--Submitted by Paul, a former student

I am a former student of MPHS. I have also been a substitute teacher for nearby counties. The quality of education at Mary Persons rates better than most all other schools I have seen. As a student, the teachers prepared me very well for college. The problem, like in most schools, is with the students. The kids who WANT to learn, will; the ones who goof off,...will not! There are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in. The football team recieves a lot of recognition, but that is what happens in small towns with good football teams. I have one piece of advice for parents looking for schools to send there kids to. Be involved in your child's education. That is the biggest difference in A+ students, and D- students.
--Submitted by a former student

As a former teacher at Mary Persons High School, I feel the quality of the academic programs offered is quite good. Students graduating are well prepared for college or whatever their future holds. There are a wide variety of extracurricular activities to get involved with. From any sport to music and art. Parents are pretty involved for the most part. The parents in Forsyth were very supportive. I taught at MP during my 4th and 5th years teaching. If we ever moved back to Forsyth, I would certainly try to go back to MP to teach, and my own children would go through the Monroe Couty Schools.
--Submitted by a teacher

As a former student, I would have to say that overall, Mary Persons is a great school! I think that most any public school you visit now (and probably private schools, too) have strict dress code rules, place alot of emphasis on sports, or have some issue of their own. Yes, Mary Persons is guilty of both of those things. But is that so bad? I personally feel like being involved in your school is a good thing, and if dress code helps lower violence and/or class disruptions, why not enforce it? The academics at Mary Persons are definitely alot higher than those of the Bibb County public schools. I feel like I was adequately prepared for the 'real world' & for college after graduating from Mary Persons. I would recommend the school to anyone.
--Submitted by a former student

Notice the negative comments given are from students. I am an adult who has dealt with other counties and would say quite sincerely that Mary Persons is definitely a great school. They are very concerned with academics and teaching these kids to be good citizens. The school is full of very experienced and qualified teachers who do their job every day. I have three children in this school system and they are in a learning environment, not witnessing constant discipline problems as they did in other school districts. Yes, you are expected to be in dress code; yes, you are expected to act in a civil manner; yes, we love our sports, but there is a whole lot of genuinely great teaching happening!! We are one of 5 districts in Georgia to have district accreditation. That alone should tell you something!! Parents, your kids would benefit greatly in this school district.
--Submitted by a teacher