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November 24, 2007
EDUCATION
Mt. Vernon Township High School, located in Mt. Vernon, Illinois,
the county seat of Jefferson County, Illinois, has an enrollment of
approximately 1,300 students. The high school occupies 32 acres of
land and consists of 11 buildings, an excellent athletic field
complex, and a large stage and auditorium.
POPULATION
Mt. Vernon High School has been integrated since its beginning in
1905. Approximately 17 percent of its students are minorities. The
district has participated in various student exchange programs
through the years and has students enrolled from many different
countries. Hispanic and Asian students have attended Mt. Vernon
High as regularly enrolled students.
ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES
Mt. Vernon High School, governed by a seven-member Board of
Education, is a comprehensive high school and offers a varied
curriculum to serve the needs and goals of its students. Courses
and programs are available for a wide range of special needs
students from the mentally and physically challenged to the
exceptionally gifted and talented. Independent study programs are
established if students have special needs for programs of studies
not normally offered in the curriculum. Advanced Placement courses
in calculus, American history, biology, literature and composition,
and English language and composition enhance the school’s many
offerings along with a number of dual credit courses. Classes in
areas such as Web Design Graphics, English Composition, Political
Science, Child Care, Drafting, Health Care, Music, Physical
Education, and Spanish are offered in cooperation with Rend Lake
College’s dual credit program.
TECHNOLOGY
The district has implemented a comprehensive technology plan that
provides every classroom with access to an integrated voice video
and data communication system. All classrooms are equipped with one
or more computers, and Internet access is available in all
classrooms. The school’s library/media center serves students
before and after school as well as during the school day. There,
students may use computer technology to locate books and materials
in the school’s library, in the library system, or in any other
library participating in inter-library loan. The school library
houses over 20,000 books, 125 magazines, 5 daily newspapers,
microfilm, CD ROM's, videos, and more than 60 computers with
Internet access. A Student Career Center is available to help
students plan for transition after high school.
AREA CAREER CENTER
Mt. Vernon High School has one of the few secondary career and
technical area centers in the state of Illinois. Students from
neighboring high school districts are enrolled in career/technical
programs in agriculture, automotive repair, business, health,
consumer and family sciences, industrial technology, and
cooperative education. The career education facilities and staff
are available, as needed, to train specific work forces for
business and industry. A 25-station Computer Assisted Drafting
(CAD) laboratory has been installed and provides a state-of-the-art
facility for students. Three business education laboratories with a
total of 80 computer workstations are available for student
instruction. Courses in web design graphics and three-dimensional
graphics are available. Technical Preparation and Dual Credit
courses are available for post secondary career training.
EDUCATION TO CAREERS
Since 1985, Mt. Vernon High School has participated in the Illinois
Education for Employment Program. This program promotes increased
emphasis on general academic and employment skills, technology, and
specific skill development for participating students in Hamilton
and Jefferson Counties. Services are provided through the Rend Lake
Regional Delivery System for Vocational Education. The six high
schools and Rend Lake Community College, which comprise the Rend
Lake Delivery System, meet regularly to plan and coordinate a
regional articulated approach to providing career and technical
education.
FACULTY
The average teaching experience of the districts eighty plus
teachers is 13.5 years. Approximately 37 percent have Master’s
Degrees or more. Many enroll in graduate courses and inservice
opportunities regularly to improve their knowledge and skills.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Academically, Mt. Vernon High School students do very well. Every
quarter approximately 470 are on the academic honor roll. Students
who take the American College Test (ACT) receive scores that
qualify them to enroll in prestigious universities and colleges all
over the country. Approximately 60 percent of the graduates enroll
in colleges, universities, or other educational programs beyond
high school.
EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS
The high school has established a reputation for excellence in its
extracurricular programs as well as in its curricular courses.
These programs include publications, drama, speech and acting,
music (including several bands, two orchestras, several choirs and
choruses), art, athletics, Youth and Government (state winners),
Mock Trial (state and national winners), FFA (regional, state, and
national winners), Skills USA (regional, state, and national
winners), FBLA (regional and state winners), FCCLA, and over 22
additional clubs and organizations.
PHILOSOPHY
Mt. Vernon Township High School’s philosophy is that education is a
lifelong process by which an individual grows intellectually,
socially, and emotionally. The mission of Mt. Vernon Township High
School is to provide educational experiences that will cause all
students to become productive, responsible citizens in a changing
world.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The school year is divided into two 18-week semesters. MVTHS is on
a modified block schedule. The weekly schedule includes three
seven-period days, a three-block day, and a four-block day.
GRADING SYSTEM
Grading Points
A = 92-100 4
B = 83-91 3
C = 74-82 2
D = 65-73 1
E = 64 and below 0
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2006-2008
23 total credits are needed for graduation.
Required credits include:
English--3
Math--2
Science--1
Social Studies--2
PE/Career Ed/Safety Ed--2
Voc./Music/Art/Foreign Lang--1
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2009
23 total credits are needed for graduation.
Required credits include:
English--4
Math--3
Science--3
Social Studies--2
PE/Career Ed/Safety Ed--2
Voc./Music/Art/Foreign Lang--1
ACCREDITATION
North Central Association for Colleges and High Schools
State of Illinois
