Moss Point High School

Well, with a teacher now beaten by the students, does anyone get the idea yet? This school, like the town, is only interested in how well the football team performs. Academics and teaching any values or appreciation for education and culture are long gone from this area. Avoid this town and the school like the plague.

I attend MPHS as a 9th grader. The school is okay but it could be better. Something that people wrote is so true and other are pretty close. But yes most times they do care more about football and what you are wearing that day. But over all it is a pretty good school, we have nice books, technology, and people that care. I am an A student and recieved a letter from The MS School of Math and Science.
—Submitted by a student

As a student here,it has been proven that moss point is leading in technology, scholarships,and productive members of our community. Moss point is the only school on the coast to have one of its students chosen for the Bill Gates Scholarship. That speaks volumes. The students are just what the name says, that get in trouble and consequences are dealt. The administration is outstanding and teacher do care.
—Submitted by a student

Lack of structure and starts with principals
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student at Moss Point, I can only relate to my experience there. There was such a lack of structure in the school. Absolutely nothing there was directed toward performing arts or asthetic pursuits. My education there was thanks to my family. I agree with the statements that sports are the most important thing there. They (sports) rule supreme, and education is left to the individual, not the school. The administration is aloof, self engrossed and removed from the reality of providing a quality education with any exposure to the arts. Unfortunately, the school reflects a lot of the character of the city.
—Submitted by a student

Moss Point High School is one of the worse schools in the state! It is full of teachers and kids who dont care and are there more for the social life than to learn. They need to start doing more about discipline, and quit being scared of the students.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a current student at Moss Point High School. I do not agree with the poor ratings given to our school. I feel the classrooms are structured well and the principal does the best of his ability to make this school a safe learning environment. People often mention the faults of our school, but fail to mention the positive factors. We are the only school on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with an ActivBoard in almost every classroom and several classrooms with a full set of computers. I feel Moss Point School District is doing a good job and should be commended!
—Submitted by Daniel Roberts, a student

This school is horrible. I hate that my child has to attend it due to being in this school district. I feel that a lot problems are because of the current principal. It's his way or no way. He does not like input from any other source. The teachers have given up and the children are left to learn on their own. If they have problems with a subject, they would be better off with a tutor instead of most of the teachers that are there now.
—Submitted by a parent

The admin, teachers, and (most)students are trying hard. We are a safe school with many oppertunities for success. MPHS provides quality instruction, first rate technology, NEW textbooks (when needed).
—Submitted by a teacher

Moss Point is one of the best schools in Jackson County. Im a student here. Most people think we only care about sport. If those people who are in this district saying these thinks would take care of the problem at home, Moss Point High would not have these 'so called' problems to deal with.
—Submitted by a student

I am a former student of Moss Point High school and I totally agree with the majority that this is the most horrible school on the coast. The morale of the students is very low. Nearly every kid in the school thought that it was a joke. They felt like there was no point in even being there. There seemed to be very few teachers who really cared about their students actually learning or that could even remember your name unless you were the class clown who acted out all of the time. The principal was also uninvolved. My kids will not go to this school, ever! It is by the grace of God that I am going to college now and believe me, Moss Point High School had nothing to do with my getting there. Beware of Moss Point High School.
—Submitted by a former student

I submitted an entry during December 2004 that stated what I believed the problems may have been in this district. I believe that we are starting to correct some of the problems within this district. It is work in progress but I believe that this district needs more parental involvment. If this school district could get the community involved more then this district will reach its goal of becoming a level 5. We have implemented a rigorous curriculum. Our technology department is second to none. A great deal of students have begun taking college courses in our dual enrollment program. With the present administration we are scheduled to leap from a level 2 to a level 4 school. If this can take place in one year just think what would be possible if your child joined us in our pursuit of 'Destination Level 5'.
—Submitted by a teacher

Academic Programs are lacking because the textbooks are outdated or non-existant. The Music program is one of the best anywhere. Although the arts programs are small and lack equipment and modern rooms, they try hard. Parents mostly show up to complain. Parent teacher conference day is mostly another late day that teachers stay but parents do not show up. This school district layed off teachers as one of the first in the state do cut the budget at the first sign of shortfall from state funding. Some student's do well that work hard and try hard. Some student's have parents and teachers that do not care. Most problems are from discipline and drugs and gangs.
—Submitted by a teacher

As for people saying that moss point don't have quality programs, the school has a lot of good programs. They just got a polymer science program and not to mention tiger tales,drama,photography,and art. We have one of the best academic programs in the state it is just how we use them. As for extracurricular activities the band is one of the top bands in the state. If it wasn't for Dr.Harper the band would still be a joke. We have more art programs than most schools. As for parental involvement, half of the parents spend most of their time trying to tear the school down rather than help it. Instead of them complaing so much they ought to try to get in the school district and do something about it. The kids in moss point are seen as being the dumbest kids on the coast but we are not.
—Submitted by Katherine Harris, a student

This school needs new leadership and district administration.
—Submitted by a parent

I am concerned that personal feelings have been displayed and not the accurate information dealing with the Moss Point School District. As an instructor working in the school district, I will say that the biggest problem within the district isn't the administration but the lack of support from the parents. It isn't the responsibility of the school district to lay the foundation of discipline. We are here to educate the students and not do what the parents should have done a long time ago. This school district has been known for athletics for years and never academics. I will be the first to admit that there is a problem. There is no quick fix but with the current administration in place, we will see change. We have begun to look at sports as being exactly what it is...An Extracurricula Activity. This problem didn't begin yesterday and it will not end tomorrow.
—Submitted by a parent

It is evident that the persons sharing their feedback are misinformed. The athletic program did not become so important in recent years. That has been the case long before the new administration took over. It is also almost laughable that someone could try to make the point that this administration does not put emphasis on academics. Who before this administration added to the curriculum to ensure that students had a chance to participate in as many AP classes, tech prep, polymer science and the like? As for parental involvement...there you have a point. There are parents within the district that work hard at trying to better inform the communities of the need for more active involvement. There is something to be learned about those of us who choose to complain and point fingers and do nothing to help.
—Submitted by Monica Battle, a parent

Do not move into this school district for any reason. It is by far the worst school system in Jackson County. Football is God! Academics are non existent. The administration and School Board are living in la la land. This district spends the most money per student in the county and has nothing to show for it except declining enrollment, declining test scores and declining student morale. If you want a quality education for you tax dollars, move anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a joke! Academics have declined since the current superintendent took over. Most of the good teachers have left or been run off. The few good teachers that are left have an uphill battle trying to teach in a hostile environment from both the students and the administration. Parent support is almost nonexistant. Students receive minimal individual attention - especially if you are a student in the upper academic percentiles. Now the School Board thinks that by going to a dress code all problems will miraculously disappear. Until discipline is restored, qualified teachers hired, and teachers given support by the administration, MPHS will continue to decline and be a joke in Jackson county! I am counting the days until I can get my children out of this nightmare. I only hope they will be able to be successful in college with such a poor high school academic foundation!
—Submitted by a parent

They concentrate more on passing state tests than they do on actually teaching the subjects. My son had three different teachers in a semester period due to the fact that many quit as a result of unruly students. Their quality of teachers in some respects have much to be desired. If it was possible i wouold move my children.
—Submitted by VALERIE, a parent