Austin Brown, Principal

Community: Madison Central High School is located in Madison, a suburb north of Jackson.  MCHS, a part of the Madison County School District, is a consolidated county school drawing students from Madison County.  The area’s convenient location, strong school system, high property values and easy access to Jackson have made south Madison County one of the most rapidly developing communities within the United States, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.  Family Circle Magazine named Madison as one of their “10 Best Cities” in 2007.

 Description of School: With 1377 students enrolled in grades 10-12, MCHS is one of the largest public high schools in the state. MCHS offers Accelerated and Advanced Placement Courses in numerous subject areas: English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Natural Science, Art and Social Science.  These courses are designated on the student’s transcript as “Acc” and “AP”.  Accelerated classes are offered in English, grades 10-12.  Specific Advanced Placement Courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English (Literature and Language) and Composition, Calculus, Statistics, Spanish, French, World History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Comparative Government, Psychology, Art (Studio-General Portfolio) and Art History for a total of 16.  End of the year Advanced Placement Exams are optional, but offered in every subject listed. 

Madison Central is recognized as one of the “Top Ten Best High Schools in America” by Redbook magazine, which considered such factors as superior academic and extra-curricular achievement coupled with parental and community involvement.  In 2008 Madison Central was named as one of the top 50 high schools in the nation by Seimens in recognition of our commitment to students and leadership in AP participation and performance.  Madison Central is the home of the State Champion Academic Competition Team, the State Champion Economic Council Team, and the Academic Decathlon State Champion Team.  In addition to a strong college-preparatory curriculum, Madison Central offers the following extracurricular activities: 22 varsity sports, varsity band program, varsity dance, choir, AFJROTC and over 25 clubs. 

Madison Central students participate in various community service activities.  However, Madison Central focuses on five school-wide community service projects:  Disaster Relief, Food for Families canned food drive, Toys for Tots, Relay-for-Life, and Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Accreditation: Based on superior test scores, Madison Central High School has earned the highest classification, the level of Star School, by the Mississippi Accountability System.  In addition, MCHS has met the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind System.      

National Test Data: Madison Central students averaged a score of 22 during the 2010-2011 ACT test administration while the state composite average is 18.7, and the national composite average is 21.1.  In 2010, MCHS had 21 students recognized by the National Merit Corporation.  Fourteen were named National Merit Semifinalists, four National Merit Commended students, and one Outstanding Participant. 

 In 2011 Madison Central had 62 students who were being recognized for their exceptional performance on AP Exams with 16 being named AP Scholar with Honor and 12 being named AP Scholar with Distinction.  This year for the first time, MCHS had a student named Mississippi's Male State AP Scholar and National AP Scholar.

Staff: Over fifty percent of Madison Central teachers have attained AA or greater certification from the Mississippi Department of Education, which is typically granted through the earning of at least a Masters Degree.  Eleven staff members are Nationally Board Certified.

Class Scheduling: Since 1998-99, an 8-period, alternating-day, block-scheduling format has been used.  Students attend 4 classes each day with each class being attended for 94 minutes. 

Units Required for Graduation: All students currently enrolled at Madison Central must pass state-mandated subject area tests which include Algebra I, Biology I, English II multiple choice and writing, and U.S. History in order to graduate.  Students also must pass a minimum of 24 Carnegie units consisting of the following:  Four (4) units in math to specifically include Algebra I; Geometry and Algebra II; Four (4) units in English; Four (4) units in science, to specifically include Biology I and a Physical Science; Four (4) units in social studies to specifically include Mississippi Studies, World Geography, World History, U.S. History, Economics and U.S. Government; One (1) unit in fine arts; One (1) unit in business and technology; One-half (1/2) unit of health; One-half (1/2) unit in Physical Education and five (5) units of elective courses.

Grading System:  Beginning in 2010-2011, all Madison County Schools moved to a modified ten-point grading scale.  All Madison Central grades are recorded numerically.  The letter grade equivalents are as follows: 

A= 90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=65-69, F =0-64.

 Grade Averaging and Ranking: Class rank and grade point averages are updated on a semester basis and include all graded courses from 9th through 12th grades. Weighted numerical grades earned by the student are recorded on the transcript in Accelerated and Advanced Placement classes. 

1.10 x Grade – Advanced Placement Courses

1.05 x Grade – Accelerated Courses (as specified below)

Actual Grade – All remaining courses

Accelerated Courses to be weighted at 1.05 are as follows: Accelerated English, 9-12; Genetics and Physics I; Trigonometry, Advanced Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics; Spanish III and French III.

Post Graduation Statistics: Ninety-six percent (96%) of the 2011 Madison Central graduates have enrolled in college.  Fifty-nine percent (59%) are enrolled in a four-year college; thirty-seven percent (37%) are enrolled in a two-year college.