Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
Encyclopedia
The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) is a public residential high school for academically gifted students located in Columbus, Mississippi
on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women
. A member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST), it is a state-wide magnet school
that is free of tuition. However, as of 2008, required by state legislature to charge room and board costs. The mandatory room and board fee for MSMS students is $500 per semester, hence $2,000 for each students' junior and senior years. Each year, the school graduates over 100 students. The main focus of MSMS is mathematics
and science
, but humanities, particularly history
, literature
, and art
are also emphasized.
and is the fourth public, residential high school for academically gifted students in the United States.http://www.msms.k12.ms.us/index.html The school only enrolls students in the last two years of high school. Tenth grade students from across the state interested in the school apply and are selected to attend.
Math classes
Accelerated Algebra II
Trigonometry
Foundations of Higher Math
Math Modeling
University Calculus I
University Calculus II
Calculus III
Differential Calculus
Integral Calculus
Differential Equations
Investigations in Geometry
Explorations in Math Art
History of Mathematics
Logic and Game Theory
Statistics I
Statistics II
University Statistics I
Number Sense
Discrete Mathematics
Special Topics
Science classes
Cell Biology
Microbiology
Anatomy and Physiology
Genetics
Molecular Biology
Ecology of Environmental Problems
Human Infectious Diseases
Special Topics in Biology
Introduction to Biochemistry
Chemistry
Advanced Topics in Chemistry I
AP Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Special Topics in Chemistry
Mechanics
Waves, Electricity and Magnetism
University Advanced Mechanics
Advanced Waves, Electricity and Magnetism
Calculus-Based Mechanics
Calculus Based Electricity and Magnetism
Modern Physics
Astronomy/Astrophysics
Electronics
Special Topics in Physics
Computer Science classes
Desktop Publishing
Introduction to Programming
Intermediate Programming
Introduction to Robotics
Site Design: Research and Practicum
Web Services
Computer Problems/Special Topics
English Classes
Honors English
University English I
University English II
Shakespeare I: The Romantic Comedies and Histories
Shakespeare II: The Tragedies and Late Romances
Classical Literature I: Epic Poetry
Classical Literature II: Drama and Philosophy
Yearbook I
Yearbook II
Journalism I
Journalism II
Selected Works of British Literature
World Literature
Creative Writing I
Creative Writing II
Special Topics in English
Debate I
Debate II
Debate III
Foreign Language Classes
French I
French II
French III
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III
Latin I
Latin II
German I
German II
Advanced Topics in Foreign Language
Social Sciences Classes
US History: Imperialism to New Frontier
US History (Research Focus: Tales From the Crypt)
Mississippi Crossroads I: Faulkner, The Blues and Beyond
Mississippi Crossroads II: Welty, Wright, Williams and Beyond
Modern European History
University Western Civilization
Economics
American Government
Psychology
Fine And Performing Arts
Drawing I
Drawing II
Painting I
Painting II
Sculpture I
Sculpture II
Dramatic Performance
Advanced Dramatic Production
Songwriting/Music Technology
Instrumental Performance
Choral Performance
Guitar Studies
Guitar Performance
Special Topics In Music
Interdisciplinary Courses
African-American Writers
Introduction to American Film
Creative Media I
Creative Media II
Foundations of Western Thought
Health
The application requires students to write two original essays, submit an academic resume, secure several recommendations from their teachers and submit a work sample.
The deadline for applications for the class of 2013 is January 31, 2010.
1. Who is the person who has had the most significant impact on your life?
2. What factors are motivating you to apply to MSMS?
The essays are reviewed for both content and grammar.
Mu Alpha Theta
(MAΘ) is the school's math club and chapter of the national math honors society of the same name. The members of this club do ACT practice, participate in the High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM), and compete in the statewide Mu Alpha Theta State Convention. MSMS has placed in the MAΘ Convention at least the past five years, earning 1st place in 2004 and 2005, 2nd place in 2006 and 2007, and 1st place again in 2008.
Beta Club is an academic honors society encouraging leadership, service, and academic excellence.
Fellowship of Christian Anybodies (FCA) is a Christian based organization. Taken from the nationally known Fellowship of Christian Athletes
, the name has been changed to include anyone at MSMS because of the low number of athletes and to support the general spirit of not being exclusive.
The Chess Club is a group of the best chess players in the school. It competes annually in many competitions. In 2008 the chess club trashed the Columbus High School team, beating them 43-0.
Quiz Bowl is an academic team that participates in tournaments in the region. It is sponsored by Dr. Nancy MacNeill.
Numerous other clubs have come and gone, and it is a generally accepted tradition amongst students to found new clubs each year. In the past, such clubs have included fans of fencing
, Anime
, and writing/poetry.
is a literary magazine and contest orchestrated by the members of the Creative Writing class. All students at MSMS are invited to submit works of poetry, short story, essay, and all types of visual art. The commonly accepted works of art have a slant on the culture of the south.
The Vision is the school newspaper and the Innovator is the school yearbook.
(LSMSA), the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
(ASMSA), Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing
(MASMC), and the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
(TAMS). The tournament generally includes matches of ultimate frisbee, basketball, soccer, tennis, table tennis, billiards, volleyball, golf, chess, and a duathlon.
.
The Ceremony of Lights is an induction for new juniors of MSMS in which a pledge is signed. This ritual is repeated at class reunions. This ceremony is one of the most serious for MSMS students and faculty, and requires "Sunday" dress.
Winter Formal is the annual winter dance, taking place sometime in December. A queen and king are crowned.
Tales from the Crypt is a multi-genre history project done by the Junior US History class of the same name. In the first half of the year, members of the class select a person buried in local historic Friendship Cemetery, built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
, and research that person using primary document sources from the archives at Columbus-Lowndes County Library in Historic Downtown Columbus. In January, students write three- to five-minute monologues based on their research and audition in front of a panel of judges who, in the past, have been their classmates. Sixteen to eighteen people are selected to perform individually during the Tales event during Columbus's Spring Pilgrimage, and the other students work as guides, escorting audiences through the cemetery. Each year features a performance by "The Four Decoration Day Ladies", four women who gained fame by decorating the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. This action would later be known as Memorial Day
. The project was originated by the late Mr. Carl Butler, and the class is taught by Mr. Chuck Yarborough. Each class chooses a public service in which to invest the proceeds from admission. http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=52161&display_order=4&sub_display_order=14&mini_id=51103. The program was honored with the 2005 (MS) Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts - School Division and a national finalist for The History Channel's "Save Our History" Award .
Prom, in April is held in typical Prom
fashion. A Prom King, Queen, Prince, and Princess are crowned.
, Mississippi State University
, and Millsaps College
.
The MSMS Class of 2006 graduated on May 26, 2006, with a total of 114 students. The ceremony took place at 1:00pm at Humphrey Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi State University
.
The average ACT composite score for the MSMS Class of 2009 was 28.
The average SAT Reasoning score for the MSMS Class of 2009 was 1925.
Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus is a city in Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States that lies above the Tombigbee River. It is approximately northeast of Jackson, north of Meridian, south of Tupelo, northwest of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and west of Birmingham, Alabama. The population was 25,944 at the 2000 census...
on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women, also known as MUW or simply the "W" is a four-year coeducational public university located in Columbus, Mississippi. It was formerly known as Industrial Institute and College and later Mississippi State College for Women...
. A member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST), it is a state-wide magnet school
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
that is free of tuition. However, as of 2008, required by state legislature to charge room and board costs. The mandatory room and board fee for MSMS students is $500 per semester, hence $2,000 for each students' junior and senior years. Each year, the school graduates over 100 students. The main focus of MSMS is mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, but humanities, particularly history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, and art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
are also emphasized.
History
MSMS was founded in 1987 by appropriations from the Mississippi LegislatureMississippi Legislature
The Mississippi Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The bicameral Legislature is composed of the lower Mississippi House of Representatives, with 122 members, and the upper Mississippi Senate, with 52 members. Both Representatives and Senators serve four-year...
and is the fourth public, residential high school for academically gifted students in the United States.http://www.msms.k12.ms.us/index.html The school only enrolls students in the last two years of high school. Tenth grade students from across the state interested in the school apply and are selected to attend.
Classes
Currently, MSMS offers more than 130 advanced classes in mathematics, science and the humanities. Designed with the highest standards of academic rigor, all classes taught at MSMS are at the AP level or higher. Class schedules are constantly in flux due to student demand, and new classes are often added to the school's curriculum. Listed below are all the classes listed in the 2009–2010 MSMS Course Catalogue.Math classes
Accelerated Algebra II
Trigonometry
Foundations of Higher Math
Math Modeling
University Calculus I
University Calculus II
Calculus III
Differential Calculus
Integral Calculus
Differential Equations
Investigations in Geometry
Explorations in Math Art
History of Mathematics
Logic and Game Theory
Statistics I
Statistics II
University Statistics I
Number Sense
Discrete Mathematics
Special Topics
Science classes
Cell Biology
Microbiology
Anatomy and Physiology
Genetics
Molecular Biology
Ecology of Environmental Problems
Human Infectious Diseases
Special Topics in Biology
Introduction to Biochemistry
Chemistry
Advanced Topics in Chemistry I
AP Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Special Topics in Chemistry
Mechanics
Waves, Electricity and Magnetism
University Advanced Mechanics
Advanced Waves, Electricity and Magnetism
Calculus-Based Mechanics
Calculus Based Electricity and Magnetism
Modern Physics
Astronomy/Astrophysics
Electronics
Special Topics in Physics
Computer Science classes
Desktop Publishing
Introduction to Programming
Intermediate Programming
Introduction to Robotics
Site Design: Research and Practicum
Web Services
Computer Problems/Special Topics
English Classes
Honors English
University English I
University English II
Shakespeare I: The Romantic Comedies and Histories
Shakespeare II: The Tragedies and Late Romances
Classical Literature I: Epic Poetry
Classical Literature II: Drama and Philosophy
Yearbook I
Yearbook II
Journalism I
Journalism II
Selected Works of British Literature
World Literature
Creative Writing I
Creative Writing II
Special Topics in English
Debate I
Debate II
Debate III
Foreign Language Classes
French I
French II
French III
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III
Latin I
Latin II
German I
German II
Advanced Topics in Foreign Language
Social Sciences Classes
US History: Imperialism to New Frontier
US History (Research Focus: Tales From the Crypt)
Mississippi Crossroads I: Faulkner, The Blues and Beyond
Mississippi Crossroads II: Welty, Wright, Williams and Beyond
Modern European History
University Western Civilization
Economics
American Government
Psychology
Fine And Performing Arts
Drawing I
Drawing II
Painting I
Painting II
Sculpture I
Sculpture II
Dramatic Performance
Advanced Dramatic Production
Songwriting/Music Technology
Instrumental Performance
Choral Performance
Guitar Studies
Guitar Performance
Special Topics In Music
Interdisciplinary Courses
African-American Writers
Introduction to American Film
Creative Media I
Creative Media II
Foundations of Western Thought
Health
Admissions Criteria
Students interested in applying to MSMS must be current high school sophomores and legal Mississippi residents. Students must also have at least 12 Carnaige units completed before they metriculate into their eleventh grade year. An ACT score is required; however, there is not a minimum score required for admission. Students must also have completed Geometry I and Biology I before attending MSMS, these classes can be completed via correspondence or Mississippi Virtual Classroom if a student's home high school does not offer these classes or if a student has yet to take either one. It is possible to be accepted without either of these classes, but they must be finished before actually attending MSMS.The Application
The MSMS application can be found on the school's website at www.msms.k12.ms.us/. The student has three options in completing the application: the student may print it out and complete it by hand, the student may complete a PDF of the application on a computer, print it and mail it in to the school or the student may complete the application entirely online.The application requires students to write two original essays, submit an academic resume, secure several recommendations from their teachers and submit a work sample.
The deadline for applications for the class of 2013 is January 31, 2010.
Resume
In this section of the application students should list any achievements or awards they have received during their educational careers with specific weight directed toward awards in the fields of math and science. Students should also include information about any extracurricular activities, community involvement, special interests, talents or hobbies with which they are involved.Essays
Two original essays are required to complete the application. The topics for the current application (graduating class of 2013) are:1. Who is the person who has had the most significant impact on your life?
2. What factors are motivating you to apply to MSMS?
The essays are reviewed for both content and grammar.
Work Sample
Students must submit a work sample which displays their ability beyond the classroom. According to the application, “Your work sample may take a number of forms, such as an essay; a special project; a description of a project; a computer simulation; a video or audio production; or a description and/or pictures of an invention, craft, project, drawing, or painting. The work sent must be original, not copied, and work which you did, yourself. Since we cannot return the work sample, however, please keep a copy of your work. On this page, please explain why you chose this particular topic and why you believe your work sample demonstrates that you should be accepted. If a math or science connection is not clearly evident, please explain how your topic relates to those fields. A narrative is required for ALL work samples, regardless of topic.”Recommendations
Recommendations for applicants must be obtained from each student’s high school counselor, math teacher, science teacher and from an additional teacher of the student’s choice.Clubs and organizations
Student Life at MSMS involves many different clubs in which students can get involved. Students are also offered the opportunity, if enough interest is shown, to organize their own club.Mu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta is a United States mathematics honor society for high schools and two-year colleges. It has over 89,000 student members in more than 1,800 schools worldwide. Its main goals are to inspire keen interest in mathematics, develop strong scholarship in the subject, and promote the...
(MAΘ) is the school's math club and chapter of the national math honors society of the same name. The members of this club do ACT practice, participate in the High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM), and compete in the statewide Mu Alpha Theta State Convention. MSMS has placed in the MAΘ Convention at least the past five years, earning 1st place in 2004 and 2005, 2nd place in 2006 and 2007, and 1st place again in 2008.
Beta Club is an academic honors society encouraging leadership, service, and academic excellence.
Fellowship of Christian Anybodies (FCA) is a Christian based organization. Taken from the nationally known Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a non-profit interdenominational Christian organization founded in 1954 and that has been based in Kansas City, Missouri since 1956. It falls within the tradition of Muscular Christianity. Although established by evangelical Protestants, the concept has...
, the name has been changed to include anyone at MSMS because of the low number of athletes and to support the general spirit of not being exclusive.
The Chess Club is a group of the best chess players in the school. It competes annually in many competitions. In 2008 the chess club trashed the Columbus High School team, beating them 43-0.
Quiz Bowl is an academic team that participates in tournaments in the region. It is sponsored by Dr. Nancy MacNeill.
Numerous other clubs have come and gone, and it is a generally accepted tradition amongst students to found new clubs each year. In the past, such clubs have included fans of fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
, Anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, and writing/poetry.
Publications
Southern VoicesSouthern Voices
Southern Voices is an annual literary magazine published by The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. Each year students submit works of literature and art to compete for a place in the publication. Southern Voices represents the culmination of one year of the MSMS student body's creative...
is a literary magazine and contest orchestrated by the members of the Creative Writing class. All students at MSMS are invited to submit works of poetry, short story, essay, and all types of visual art. The commonly accepted works of art have a slant on the culture of the south.
The Vision is the school newspaper and the Innovator is the school yearbook.
Sports
Due to the constantly changing student body and more rigorous academic life, sports do not have the emphasis that is generally placed at a high school. However, many students still participate in sports and enjoy them. The following are a few of the organized sports teams: Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, Judo, Cheerleading, and Dance Team. Of the sports, tennis is the most successful. The tennis team has a long tradition of excellence, and won its division title in 2008. MSMS's singles player placed #2 in the state, and the #1 doubles team won the state championship. The team is currently winless in division play for 2009. http://www.msms.k12.ms.us/sa_ac_gen.htmlSLAMMT
SLAMMT is an annual sports competition between other Math and Science Schools. The acronym, SLAMMT, represents the various schools participating in the competition, including the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the ArtsLouisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana on the campus of Northwestern State University . It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology .- Background :LSMSA is the brainchild of...
(LSMSA), the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts is a two-year, public residential high school located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is a part of the University of Arkansas administrative system and a member of the NCSSSMST...
(ASMSA), Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing
Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing
The Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing is a two-year residential early college entrance program for gifted high school students at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, replacing the junior and senior years of high school...
(MASMC), and the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science is a two-year residential early college entrance program serving approximately 380 Texans at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas...
(TAMS). The tournament generally includes matches of ultimate frisbee, basketball, soccer, tennis, table tennis, billiards, volleyball, golf, chess, and a duathlon.
Outreach
One of MSMS's main goals is to provide educational opportunities to communities throughout Mississippi. Students, staff, and faculty at MSMS work together each year with MSMS's Partners in Progress to provide a number of resources for students and teachers throughout the state. These programs include an annual science carnival, teaching Spanish to elementary students throughout the state, and the CHAMPS ProjectCHAMPS Project
The CHAMPS Project is a combined effort of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and the Mississippi University for Women aimed at improving various aspects of education in Mississippi.-External links:* *...
.
Awards
Throughout the years, several prestigious awards have arisen from MSMS in memory of notable administrators, teachers, and students that have worked to cultivate education and equality throughout the world. Some of these very selective honors include: the MSMS Spirit Award, the Vel Anthony Award, the Chris Read Award for Fiction, the Shellie McKnight Music Leadership Award, the Abernathy Award, the Jack and Harweda Johnson Scholarship, the H. Butler Memorial History Award, the Carl H. Butler Community Service Award, and the Joseph A. Portera Leadership Award.Annual events
MSMS has unique events that take place every year. They include:The Ceremony of Lights is an induction for new juniors of MSMS in which a pledge is signed. This ritual is repeated at class reunions. This ceremony is one of the most serious for MSMS students and faculty, and requires "Sunday" dress.
Winter Formal is the annual winter dance, taking place sometime in December. A queen and king are crowned.
Tales from the Crypt is a multi-genre history project done by the Junior US History class of the same name. In the first half of the year, members of the class select a person buried in local historic Friendship Cemetery, built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows , also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar British Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 18th century, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were...
, and research that person using primary document sources from the archives at Columbus-Lowndes County Library in Historic Downtown Columbus. In January, students write three- to five-minute monologues based on their research and audition in front of a panel of judges who, in the past, have been their classmates. Sixteen to eighteen people are selected to perform individually during the Tales event during Columbus's Spring Pilgrimage, and the other students work as guides, escorting audiences through the cemetery. Each year features a performance by "The Four Decoration Day Ladies", four women who gained fame by decorating the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. This action would later be known as Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
. The project was originated by the late Mr. Carl Butler, and the class is taught by Mr. Chuck Yarborough. Each class chooses a public service in which to invest the proceeds from admission. http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=52161&display_order=4&sub_display_order=14&mini_id=51103. The program was honored with the 2005 (MS) Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts - School Division and a national finalist for The History Channel's "Save Our History" Award .
Prom, in April is held in typical Prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
fashion. A Prom King, Queen, Prince, and Princess are crowned.
Recent Statistics
The MSMS Class of 2005 graduated May 27, 2005, with a total of 106 students. Most of the class of 2005 is attending college, the majority at institutions in the state, including the University of MississippiUniversity of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, and Millsaps College
Millsaps College
Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1890, the college is recognized as one of the country's best private colleges dedicated to undergraduate teaching and educating the whole individual. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Millsaps...
.
The MSMS Class of 2006 graduated on May 26, 2006, with a total of 114 students. The ceremony took place at 1:00pm at Humphrey Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
.
The average ACT composite score for the MSMS Class of 2009 was 28.
The average SAT Reasoning score for the MSMS Class of 2009 was 1925.