Greetings !

It has been an exciting year at Quitman High School. We have already received good news concerning our English II writing scores. Quitman High School achieved a 98% passage rate on the writing assessment for 2007 - 2008. We have also received 97% passage rate on the US History test and a 94% passage rate in Biology I. Both the Algebra I and English II passage rates were well above the State Average. The English II testers showed an 8% increase over the 2007 – 2008 scores – and that is on the “new, more difficult assessment”. All this data represents a phenomenal accomplishment and I want to congratulate our students and teachers for a job well - done!

Quitman High School will be implementing a new bell schedule this year. We will be operating on an eight-period day. This new schedule offers many advantages - there will be additional instruction time in core subjects, additional time for enrichment activities and remediation, and we are able to offer new and interesting electives. As a part of the new schedule, activities and athletics  will be "blocked" into 96 minute periods - this will allow more time for coaches  to work with their students. An additional advantage of the eight-period day is that our teachers will have both individual and "common" planning periods - this change will allow teachers to collaborate on curriculum and teaching strategies. 

Our Science Building is complete and ready to go. Two new labs, four new classrooms and a plethora of new science equipment will be waiting for the arrival of our students. I believe everyone will be impressed with the facility and all the "scientific trinkets" that will be a part of our day to day instruction.  

As part of our efforts to “raise the academic bar" at Quitman High School, we are adding two AP courses for the 2008 - 2009 school year. Qualified students will have the opportunity to take AP English IV and AP Calculus on campus. Biology II is also being offered on campus this year. By adding these courses, our students will be well-prepared for the "rigor" of college-level work. 

Technology will be an even greater part of our instruction this year at QHS. Due to the fact, that Quitman High School has been awarded an E2T2 Technology grant, our English and Math students will have the benefit of laptop computers, Interactive white boards, and individualized instructional software. In addition, there will be an on-site technology facilitator to demonstrate our teachers the many ways technology can enhance instruction.  

This is going to be a great year at Quitman High School. I am looking forward to working with our great teaching staff and parents to ensure that our students receive a challenging education that prepares them to be productive and life-long learners.