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About Our District

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Mt. Vernon R-5 School District in partnership with students, parents, teachers, business and the community, is to provide quality educational experiences to enable all students to reach their full potential and become healthy, responsible, productive citizens and lifelong learners.

Our District

Mt. Vernon's Class AAA school system includes four schools - an elementary, intermediate, middle and high school. Two state colleges, as well as several private colleges are within 40 miles. The public library, located at 206 W. Water, is part of a two-county library system that provides extensive services and houses the Lawrence County Historical Society's genealogy collection.

Mt. Vernon R-5 Schools serve about 1500 students. Mt. Vernon Elementary School serves grades K-2; Mt. Vernon Intermediate School serves grades 3-5; Mt. Vernon Middle School serves grades 6-8; Mt. Vernon High School serves grades 9-12. An active Parents as Teachers program for parents with children from infant to age three is housed in the middle school building. All district facilities are air-conditioned and in excellent condition. The newest addition, the Mt. Vernon Intermediate School, opened in August 2008.

Student achievement is the best measure of the success of a school. The Mt. Vernon R-5 School District accreditation is based in part on MAP and ACT scores. The district encourages each child to do well on MAP tests. Classroom instruction is geared to teaching the Show-Me Standards. The Show-Me Standards are those skills and concepts that have been identified as important for all students to learn.

Vocational Programs

Vocational education is an essential part of the district's program of studies. Business education classes provide computer instruction at the high school level. At least one computer lab is located in each school building. Each classroom, district-wide, has at least one computer. Computer skills are taught from kindergarten through high school.

Middle school students have the opportunity to explore agriculture and then expand on their knowledge and skills while in high school. Agriculture students have excelled at both the state and national levels in recent years.

Junior and senior students may take a variety of vocational classes at the Southwest Career Center in Monett, Missouri. These students learn skills needed on the job and for post-secondary education. The district provides transportation for students interested in learning a trade while in high school.

Mt. Vernon R-5 Teachers

All Mt. Vernon R-5 teachers are certified. Love and respect for children in addition to being fully qualified are the characteristics the district expects of its teachers. Different teaching methods are used to meet the learning styles of each child, thus providing the child with a fair chance to succeed at school. Teachers use a variety of tools and instructional activities to make learning interesting. Some of these tools include:

  • Educational computer software programs
  • SmartBoards to provide visual information
  • Educational videos on a variety of subjects
  • Cooperative learning opportunities to encourage student friendship and a feeling of belonging
  • Field trips
  • Visits to the library to research topics
  • Guest speakers
  • Multicultural information to help students learn about and respect other cultures
  • Activities (recess, class parties, etc.) to help students learn appropriate social skills
  • Praise, encouragement and high learning expectations for each child
  • Hands-on activities and use of performance tasks to apply learned skills and knowledge

Mr. Russ Cruzan

 

Superintendent

Mr. Scott Cook

 

High School Principal

Ms. Kandie Eads

 

Director of Special Services

Mr. Bob Senninger

 

Middle School Principal

Ms. Dulcie Price

 

Intermediate School Principal

Ms. Sherry Rouner

 

Elementary School Principal

Ms. Patricia Rooney

 

Director of Curriculum
A+ Coordinator

Community/School Teamwork

There is a lot of teamwork in our community. Mt. Vernon residents work together to provide children with a safe, friendly environment. The Mt. Vernon R-5 Schools appreciate the support of the community. From booster clubs for sports, agriculture and band to parent-teacher organizations, the community teams with the school to support children.

For more information, please contact Superintendent of Schools, Russ Cruzan at 417-466-7573.

Parent Involvement Is Encouraged!

The district has many opportunities for parent involvement. The elementary, intermediate and middle school PTA’s are active. Grandparents serve as tutors at the elementary and approved volunteers are encouraged to assist at school in a variety of capacities. Background checks are required for employees and volunteers to help keep the schools safe. The high school counselor hosts evening meetings for parents to assist them with financial issues relating to college, etc. Parents are encouraged to attend Open Houses, Back-to-School Events, school extracurricular activities and to visit frequently with teachers and counselors. We want to keep you informed about what your child’s teachers expect in school. Feel free to contact them about any issues regarding your child. Teachers may be reached by phone or e-mail. Just call the appropriate school to schedule an appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

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Experienced And Reliable Government
 
The district’s Board of Education members have served the district in an exemplary manner over a period of many years. In fact, the cumulative years of experience of these board members is over 100 years. In working with outstanding administrators, the board has accomplished its goal of providing a stable, solvent, excellent educational district to serve the community and its students. This legacy will continue under the leadership of Superindent Russ Cruzan.
 
School Safety
 
The school has a safe environment for its students. The school provides instruction in peer mediation to middle school students.
Good Citizen programs in all buildings reinforce student self-discipline and responsibility. Participants in extra-curricular activities are expected to adhere to a code of conduct.
 
Notable Achievements
 
Mt. Vernon Middle School received the honor of being a Gold Star School. Mt. Vernon High School was awarded a Bronze Star by the U.S. News and World Report in its classification of the top schools in the United States. A new intermediate school was completed in the fall of 2008 to house grades three, four and five. Four additional classrooms and an enlarged Commons Area were added to the high school during the 2007-2008 school year.
 
Adult Learning Opportunity
 
A GED preparation program is available at the Missouri Rehabilitation Center. Contact the GED Office at 417-461-5422.
 
School Improvement
 
The district has a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) in place to address our district not meeting adequate progress (AYP) as established by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) standards. Based on this year's testing, the school district is in school improvement. As a result of being in District Improvement, Level 3, the school will be taking additional steps in our CSIP to meet the goals of NCLB. Parents and community representatives are part of the CSIP Committee and your support and involvement are vital to our school improvement efforts.
  
Advanced Course Offerings 
 
The high school offers many college-prep courses in math, science, communication arts, as well as advanced courses in business and agriculture. These include but are not limited to: dual credit College English, dual credit College Algebra, dual credit Forestry, Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Math Analysis, Trigonometry, PreCalculus, Novels, Mythology, Creative Writing and Physics. Child Development is an Ozarks Technical Community College articulated course. All students will complete Biology and Algebra 1 coursework prior to graduation.
 
Career-Technical Education
 
The district has onsite Business, Family and Consumer Science (FACS) and Agriculture programs available to all students. Students in the local Agriculture program have won several state and national competitions in recent years. Additional career-technical courses are available at the Monett Career Center. A bus transports students daily to these classes.
 
Important Information For Parents
 
The district participates in federal programs and has the following procedure in place for complaints. Any parent or guardian, surrogate parent, teacher, administrator, school board member, or other person directly involved with a federal program activity may file a complaint. The written, signed complaint explaining details of the situation must be filed with the superintendent of schools. If you have questions about this policy, feel free to contact the school.
 
A+ Financial Benefits
 
Graduates of Mt. Vernon High School who meet eligibility requirements may attend any public community college or vocational school in Missouri with tuition and fees common to all students provided for two full years. This program, funded by the state, is subject to annual appropriation by the State of Missouri. To be eligible: students must maintain a 2.5 GPA on a 4 point scale, attend an A+ high school for a minimum of three years, maintain a 95% attendance, complete the FAFSA (Pell Grant), be a good citizen, and tutor/mentor other students for a total of 50 hours.
 
Other Important Information
 
MAP tests in communication arts and math will be given to grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Science tests will be given to grades 5 and 8.
High school end-of-course exams have replaced the MAP testing. Students will take Algebra I, Biology I, English II and American Government prior to graduation. Additional communication arts, social studies, math and science tests may be phased in over the next few years.