Technology
We believe strongly that success in postsecondary education and in today’s world is increasingly dependent on the use of technology. It is with this in mind that Messalonskee High School is a 1:1 technology school; every student is issued a Macbook Air laptop that she uses for her four years of school. From the curriculum and resources to content creation, learning experiences at MHS are designed to leverage the technology to provide rigorous instruction and advance student learning.
Students and parents/guardians must sign a form indicating full understanding of the rules governing the use of technology before access to any technology at MHS can be granted.
Service Credit
All Messalonskee High School students are required to complete 40 hours of community service.
Honor Roll:
High Honors/Distinction: A Grade Point Average of 93-100
High Honors: A Grade Point Average of 87-92
Honors: A Grade Point Average of 83-86
A grade below 70 (C-) or an I for an incomplete grade makes a student ineligible for Honor Roll recognition.
Retakes:
RSU18’s Vision and Mission for learning is founded in the truism that students learn in different ways and in different time frames. Messalonskee High School honors the RSU 18 vision by allowing reassessments within the timeframe of each learning experience at MHS. Guidelines have been developed to determine when and how reassessments will occur and will be shared at the outset of that learning experience. Students should refer to their course syllabi for reassessment expectations.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE OVERALL GRADES:
Messalonskee scores students on their overall performance within a learning experience (Course or Seminar). Although Learning experience scores are averages, Messalonskee allows students to retake assessments to demonstrate mastery and receive a higher grade. Messalonskee High School does not mail home report cards; parents/guardians may request a hard copy of the report card by calling the Main Office or the Guidance Office. The mark in each learning experience is reflected by a numerical grade and is recorded in the grading program. The following is an explanation of the grades:
Numerical Grade Acknowledgement
90-100 Superior
80-89 Above Average
70-79 Average
60-69 Below Average
0-59 Failure – NO Credit
Standardized Tests
Students take a number of standardized tests during high school. The state and federal law require some tests and some are local requirements designed to help the student, the school and parents/guardians understand and increase student performance and prepare for the future.
Common standardized tests:
ACT: students may elect to take the ACT, which is comparable to the SAT. Many four-year colleges require either SAT or ACT scores.
ASVAB: Required for military branches
NWEA: administered to all third year students in the fall and spring
PSAT: administered to all students during sophomore year. However, juniors who wish to qualify for the NMSQT (very prestigious scholarship based on exceptional PSAT scores) must take the PSAT during their junior year. Students will receive information in a summer mailing about taking the PSAT and the structure of the exam.
SAT: administered to all juniors in May. Used by many 4-year colleges for admission.
SAT Subject Tests: SAT Subject tests are frequently required by 4-year selective institutions, such as Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby. Be sure to know if these exams are required by thoroughly researching admission criteria.
State Science Test: administered to all third year students in the spring