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Mesquite High School (Mesquite, Texas)
Encyclopedia
Mesquite High School is a high school in Mesquite
, Texas
. Physically, the school lies adjacent to the intersection of Beltline Rd/East Davis Rd as well as Beltline Rd/East Gross Rd.
MHS serves Mesquite and a small portion of Balch Springs
for the grades 9 through 12 and is a part of the Mesquite Independent School District
. Total enrollment for the school as of 2010 was 2,800 and therefore places it in the UIL
5A division. "Stormy the Skeeter" is the school mascot for the school's various athletic teams (all known with some variant of the word "Skeeter") and the school's colors are Maroon
and White
.
was incorporated at the behest of the citizens of Mesquite Texas to serve the primary and secondary educational needs of the city. The first school was established at the current site of MHS in 1902 with an enrollment of approximately 200 students. A new high school was built on the property in June 1923. MHS was officially recognized as an accredited high school in June 1924 by the Texas State Department of Education, thus allowing its students to attend Texas colleges and universities without having to take remedial coursework. Additional expansions occurred during 1938 and 1939 as a part of the Works Progress Administration created by President Roosevelt. A historical marker can be found at the street side of L. building and an WPA placard can be found on the outside of the art room to mark these significant events in MHS' history.
MHS students became known as "Skeeters" in 1944. This was a simplification of the traditional "Mesquiters" which had been the previous mascot name for the school. 1954 marked a significant change at MHS when the district relocated all its other existing grade levels to other sites within the city and the campus was solely dedicated to high school education. Integration of the school began in 1964 when area African-American students were allowed to enroll at MHS for the first time. During 1966, a six phase renovation project plan began. The final phase of construction was completed in 1999.
MHS is a school of firsts: first high school graduates, first high school band, first accredited school, and first to win a state championship. This dedication to excellence is symbolized through MHS' motto "Where the Tradition Began."
For a benchmark of student progress and as an exit exam, Mesquite High School uses the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) on most students entering and exiting MHS. The tests are administered every year for grades 9-11 and are given as remedial tests for graduating seniors who have not passed the previous year's tests. Ranked against the district and the state, MHS falls behind in terms of students successfully meeting the TAKS expectations for the grades 9-11.
Mesquite High School, like most in the area, has been pushing the agenda on getting students active and interested in pursuing a future college education after high school with a number of measures. One of these, the Advanced Placement (AP) program, offers classes in a multiple array of courses which can, if the criteria are met, be used to apply for college credit in the chosen course. These classes are supplemented in part by a program known as Dual Study whereby students can attend actual college courses on college campuses and earn credit towards that class. To students identified as able to learn on the same level as college students, the school also offers an accelerated program known as the Distinguished Achievement Program, or DAP, to give said students a leg-up on learning and success in the college academic atmosphere. The result of much of this has been that MHS enjoys a large amount of graduating seniors who attempt either the ACT or SAT prior to applying to a college. This, however, is mixed against the fact that out of the roughly 71% who attempt either, only 16% arrive at the "At/Above Criterion".
5A competition, including a football
team that won the 5A Division I State Championship in 2001, and runner up in 4A Division I State Championship in 1974, losing to the Brazoswood Buccaneers
. The school is noted for their football team but has come to be recognized by all of its sporting programs. The Skeeters men's basketball team has made it deep into the playoffs for the past four years (2006–2009) and made it to the state championship tournament (2007). The team is currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation with 3 division 1 signees (2009). The Skeeters are also known for their volleyball
team who went undefeated the past three years in district (2008) and lost far into the playoffs (2007). The Skeeters are also known for their school spirit, with students donning full body paint and motivational signs to come out and support their various sports teams. They are most frequently seen at Men's basketball, volleyball, and football games. They are seen as an integral part to athletic success.
Mesquite, Texas
Mesquite is a city located within the Dallas/Ft.Worth area of Texas. As of the 2010 US Census, the population was 139,824.-History:The city was founded May 22, 1873, by a Texas & Pacific Railway engineer who purchased land along the Texas & Pacific line outside of Dallas...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Physically, the school lies adjacent to the intersection of Beltline Rd/East Davis Rd as well as Beltline Rd/East Gross Rd.
MHS serves Mesquite and a small portion of Balch Springs
Balch Springs, Texas
Balch Springs is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. It is both a suburb of Dallas and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The population was 19,375 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 20,003.-Geography:Balch Springs is located at...
for the grades 9 through 12 and is a part of the Mesquite Independent School District
Mesquite Independent School District
The Mesquite Independent School District is a school district in Mesquite, Texas which follows the standard definition of an independent school district.The district is rather large, containing in excess of 35,000...
. Total enrollment for the school as of 2010 was 2,800 and therefore places it in the UIL
University Interscholastic League
The University Interscholastic League is an organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, music, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in the American state of Texas....
5A division. "Stormy the Skeeter" is the school mascot for the school's various athletic teams (all known with some variant of the word "Skeeter") and the school's colors are Maroon
Maroon (color)
Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
and White
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
.
History
In the March of 1901, the Mesquite Independent School DistrictMesquite Independent School District
The Mesquite Independent School District is a school district in Mesquite, Texas which follows the standard definition of an independent school district.The district is rather large, containing in excess of 35,000...
was incorporated at the behest of the citizens of Mesquite Texas to serve the primary and secondary educational needs of the city. The first school was established at the current site of MHS in 1902 with an enrollment of approximately 200 students. A new high school was built on the property in June 1923. MHS was officially recognized as an accredited high school in June 1924 by the Texas State Department of Education, thus allowing its students to attend Texas colleges and universities without having to take remedial coursework. Additional expansions occurred during 1938 and 1939 as a part of the Works Progress Administration created by President Roosevelt. A historical marker can be found at the street side of L. building and an WPA placard can be found on the outside of the art room to mark these significant events in MHS' history.
MHS students became known as "Skeeters" in 1944. This was a simplification of the traditional "Mesquiters" which had been the previous mascot name for the school. 1954 marked a significant change at MHS when the district relocated all its other existing grade levels to other sites within the city and the campus was solely dedicated to high school education. Integration of the school began in 1964 when area African-American students were allowed to enroll at MHS for the first time. During 1966, a six phase renovation project plan began. The final phase of construction was completed in 1999.
MHS is a school of firsts: first high school graduates, first high school band, first accredited school, and first to win a state championship. This dedication to excellence is symbolized through MHS' motto "Where the Tradition Began."
School Performance
Historically, 1954 marked a significant change at MHS when the district relocated all its other existing grade levels to other sites within the city and the campus was solely dedicated to high school education. This change, however, has not stopped the growth in services MHS offers to its students; Mesquite High School offers a broad array of basic "core classes" revolving around mathematics, English, science, and the social sciences as well as more specialized technical classes such as agriculture, web mastering, automotive technical training, and even cosmotology. The school also hosts its own library and participates with a radio-broadcasting station. Both of these, especially the latter, are designed to be partially student operated with instructors and teachers there operating as supervisors for the students.For a benchmark of student progress and as an exit exam, Mesquite High School uses the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) on most students entering and exiting MHS. The tests are administered every year for grades 9-11 and are given as remedial tests for graduating seniors who have not passed the previous year's tests. Ranked against the district and the state, MHS falls behind in terms of students successfully meeting the TAKS expectations for the grades 9-11.
Band & Choir Programs
MHS is very well known for its fine arts programs, especially band and choir. Their band (The Mighty Maroon Band) has placed in first division at UIL competitions repeatedly. The same goes for the choir. MHS's choral program is considered one of the best in the state, placing first division in UIL competitions multiple times in the past several years. MHS choir also has a show choir program (Pizzazz), consisting of 12 select varsity singers.School Dress Code
As with other schools in the Mesquite Independent School District, MHS adheres to the MISD Standard Dress Policy which defines inappropriate dress from that which is acceptable at all post-elementary MISD schools. The goal of this new policy has been defined as promoting dress that:
is appropriate for the learning environment. Maintaining a school atmosphere suitable for academic study will help students focus on the business of school. The Standard Dress Policy is a vital step toward furthering excellence and better preparing our students for college, careers, and life as adults.
Athletics
The school fields several athletic teams in UILUniversity Interscholastic League
The University Interscholastic League is an organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, music, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in the American state of Texas....
5A competition, including a football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team that won the 5A Division I State Championship in 2001, and runner up in 4A Division I State Championship in 1974, losing to the Brazoswood Buccaneers
Brazoswood High School
Brazoswood High School is a secondary school located at 302 West Brazoswood in Clute, Texas. It educates grades nine through twelve and is part of the Brazosport Independent School District....
. The school is noted for their football team but has come to be recognized by all of its sporting programs. The Skeeters men's basketball team has made it deep into the playoffs for the past four years (2006–2009) and made it to the state championship tournament (2007). The team is currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation with 3 division 1 signees (2009). The Skeeters are also known for their volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
team who went undefeated the past three years in district (2008) and lost far into the playoffs (2007). The Skeeters are also known for their school spirit, with students donning full body paint and motivational signs to come out and support their various sports teams. They are most frequently seen at Men's basketball, volleyball, and football games. They are seen as an integral part to athletic success.
Feeding Patterns and School Demographics
Mesquite High School's relatively large size owes largely to the broad base upon which it draws students from. Directly, the school receives new freshmen from Agnew, A.C. New and Wilkinson Middle Schools with those schools, in turn, receiving students from the elementary schools Black, Gentry, Gray, Hanby, Tisinger, Mackey, Moss, and Shaw.Notable alumni
- Dusty MangumDusty MangumDustin Ross Mangum is a former placekicker for the University of Texas at Austin's college football team from 2001 to 2004. Mangum, who began his college football career as a walk-on, is best known for capping UT's 2004-2005 season with a 37-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in the...
- place kicker for the Texas LonghornsTexas Longhorn AthleticsTexas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
- kicked the winning field goal in the 2005 Rose Bowl, the first time the Rose Bowl has ever been decided by a field goal as time expired.