Mississippi University for Women’s president is speaking out following a recommendation by state education officials to relocate the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science.
Back in late March, after reviewing proposals from the Mississippi University for Women (MUW), where the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) currently resides, and Mississippi State University (MSU) over the expansion of the educational center for gifted students, the State Board of Education encouraged lawmakers to consider moving the magnet school to Starkville.
The endorsement came as education officials contended that MSU’s submission presented a higher ceiling for future growth possibilities and academic opportunities for MSMS students. Nora Miller, MUW’s president, is appealing to lawmakers to consider how the Columbus-based university has successfully accommodated academically adept high school juniors and seniors since 1987 when weighing the pros and cons of possible relocation.
“We are hoping that the legislature will take a look at the founding mission and purpose of MSMS and how keeping it as a separate high school for those gifted students where they can be challenged and nurtured and eased into a residential experience,” Miller said on MidDays with Gerard Gibert. “[The students] like the small environment where they are nurtured, valued, and safe.”
Not only is Miller advocating to keep MSMS in its current post, but the students are also reported to be in favor of staying put. MUW conducted a recent survey and found that 96% of the magnet school’s pupils voted that they would rather remain in Columbus than make the move just under 30 miles to the east.
MSU, in collaboration with the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, is eyeing MSMS as part of the next phase of expansion. The university currently hosts Partnership Middle School, the nation’s only school that serves all district students in partnership with a college or university. The next step is to move up to the high school ranks.
In addition to the construction of a new campus for Starkville High School, MSU has proposed a residential magnet school focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics — which would be the new MSMS location.
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