Masuk High School: 'This Is the Place Where We Want to Be'

Masuk students are the main focus of how their high school operates, creating a cooperative and focused community with clear values and expectations for learning. It's all outlined in Masuk's mission statement, attributes that earned it recognition from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges as "an outstanding school."

The NEASC cited this and Masuk's wide variety of course offerings, including challenging AP courses, in its Visiting Committee's report — an evaluation that will lead to accreditation in May.

Principal John Battista made a short presentation on the report's findings during the Monroe Board of Education's meeting on Monday night.

"You're going to be very impressed with what a group of 15 educators outside of Masuk, who visited for while had to say," Supt. of Schools Dr. Colleen Palmer told the audience before Battista spoke.

"The more we read, the better we felt," Battista said of his staff members' reaction to the report. "I was so pleased they saw the development and care of that mission statement."

The report was based on a three-day visit to the high school.

Masuk's teachers were praised for using student feedback to improve instruction. The school was also recognized for ensuring every student can succeed academically through a range of resources for those with learning difficulties and by getting parents involved.

The committee report also listed areas for improvement.

"There was nothing in there that I didn't agree with," Battista said. "They talk more than once about pay-for-play for activities, clubs and sports."

Masuk administrators had noticed a drop off in student participation in extracurricular activities and the Board of Education's budget proposal addresses that by lowering the amount of money families have to pay for their children to participate.

Battista said the NEASC also recommends more funding for staffing and to look for more rigor and teaching strategies in all areas.

"The bottom line is, we will receive full accreditation when they vote in May," Battista said.

"I see they even complimented the cleanliness of the building," said Tom Taylor, a Board of Education member.

Battista said the committee scrutinized things it thought Masuk could have been doing to look good for the visits, only to find they were things "we've been doing for a long time."

While choosing a group of about 30 students to interview about their school, Battista said the committee chairman purposely chose students Masuk administrators would not normally pick.

"He said, 'I called the students in and asked them questions. Do you like school?'" Battista recalled. "One student said, 'We don't like school, but if you have to go to school, this is the place where we want to be.'"

"This is a huge deal," Darrell Trump, Board of Education chairman, said of Masuk being accredited. "Huge kudos to you and your staff for an excellent return. Good job."

Palmer said Masuk being a fully accredited school will help its graduates when they apply to colleges and universities.

"The team kept saying, 'We can't find anything wrong,'" Palmer said of the Visiting Committee. "This is an extraordinary high school that this community should be proud of."

The full NEASC report will soon be available on Monroe Public Schools' website.