Mount Olive educators discuss success stories at national conference

Mount Olive High School and its innovative programs shared the national spotlight at the 30th annual Model Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida. MOHS was one of just 16 schools to be selected as a 2022 Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education, an organization that supports effective instructional practices that lead to accelerated learning for all students.

Mount Olive School District administrators presented an hour-long overview of successful initiatives implemented over the past several years in support of the district’s long-term plan. These included a data-driven remediation system which tailors instruction to meet each student’s unique needs, blended learning programs, and unique new courses in computer science, robotics, business, anatomy, social studies, and special education. Also put into place were new initiatives to address social and emotional learning, school climate and student conduct, and instructional equity.

“MOHS is the crown jewel of our district and we’ve worked hard to make it even better to meet the needs of all learners,” said Superintendent Robert Zywicki, Ed.D. “Preparing the presentation was also an opportunity for us to reflect on the school’s growth and transformation as a whole. It’s natural for people to focus on their own work and the work of their immediate colleagues, and we often miss the forest for the trees. The presentation provided a wide-angle lens that allowed everyone to see the big picture and understand how their individual efforts contribute to making MOHS an incredible place to learn and grow.”

Integrated into the live presentation were videos and still photographs that took audience members into MOHS to see education in action. The videos also featured teachers discussing their roles and students candidly speaking about the impact of the new programs on their lives.

One of the key MOHS initiatives of the past several years has been to encourage students to enroll in higher-level coursework. More AP classes were added, bringing the total to nearly 30, and the school adopted an AP financial incentive program. For students who pay the College Board fee for one AP exam, the school pays the registration fees for all additional exams. The incentive program helped overcome any cost barriers that were dissuading students from pursuing AP courses.

Another important recent initiative discussed at the conference is one that combined and expanded some existing programs, and added new levels of instruction and activity. Marauders Believe helps students with academic and developmental disabilities prepare for independence and adult life. Though academic support is an important part of the program, the real heart and soul of Marauders Believe is hands-on job training and life skills practice. Innovative vocational opportunities, both at the high school and in the Mount Olive community, have been developed to provide work experiences that are appropriate for each student’s individualized needs, strengths, and interests.

In the independent daily living component of the program, teachers work with each student to develop an individualized plan that will provide the necessary living skills to help them reach self- sufficiency. This might include meal planning and cooking, financial management, health care, clothing care, and home safety. Discussions of available community resources also take place so that students know there are resources to turn to for support when they leave the nurturing confines of the high school.