Methuen High School
 Core Values, Beliefs, and Learning Expectations
Core Values:
  • Diversity
  • Responsibility
  • Achievement
  • Community
  • Creativity and Innovation
Beliefs: 
  • MHS provides opportunities for students to cultivate the skills necessary for global competency in the changing world of the 21st Century.
  • Students will have the opportunities to take rigorous courses, with high expectations for all.
  • Students will receive the support to develop as critical thinkers, collaborators, and problem solvers.
  • All areas of school contribute toward promoting civic responsibility and good citizenship.
  • Honoring diversity is a cornerstone of MHS life.
  • Critical toward student success are wellness, social, psychological, and emotional growth. 

 21st Century Learning Expectations         Departments Reporting Student Progress* Corresponding School-wide Rubric(s)
1. Use real-world digital and other research tools to access, evaluate, and effectively apply information appropriate for authentic tasks.
Science
Social Studies
Career and Technical Education
Health		research writing
technology
critical thinking
2. Work independently and collaboratively to solve problems and accomplish goals.
Mathematics
Fine Arts
Skills
Career and Technical Education    		collaboration
participation, independence and responsibility
critical thinking
3. Communicate information clearly and effectively using a variety of tools and media in varied contexts and purposes.
English
Foreign Language
Health		communication and oral presentation
writing
technology
4. Demonstrate adaptability and innovation in thinking patterns, work habits, and working/learning conditions.       
Science
Social Studies
Fine Arts
Skills    		creative expression
critical thinking
5. Maintain positive relationships with peers and adults.   
Mathematics
Physical Education
Family and Consumer Science
JROTC
Mathematics    		civic and social responsibility
6. Value and demonstrate personal responsibility, ethical behavior, character, and cultural understanding.  
English
Foreign Language
Physical Education
Family and Consumer Science
JROTC		civic and social responsibility
participation, independence and responsibility
* Student progress in each learning expectation is reported via comment codes on second and fourth quarter report cards. 

Guiding Research-based Resources:                                                                                         

Review and Revision Cycle
NEASC recommends that each "school regularly review and revise its core values, beliefs, and 21st century learning expectations based on research, multiple data sources, as well as district and school community priorities." The MHS community engages in this revision process every four years and is currently reviewing its core values. Administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members who have reviewed the resources linked above are encouraged to take part in this review.

Core Values (established through the 2017 review and revision cycle)

  • P.R.I.D.E.

  • Diversity

  • Responsibility

  • Achievement

  • Community

  • Creativity and Innovation


Beliefs (established through the 2017 review and revision cycle)

  • Students learn best when they take responsibility and pride in their education and character.

  • Student learning should be supported by partnerships between the school and extended community.

  • All students have the potential to achieve in rigorous courses.

  • Honoring diversity is a cornerstone of a safe and rewarding learning community.

  • Creativity, innovation, and ingenuity should be fostered through instructional support which encourages authentic problem solving.

  • Social, psychological, and emotional well-being promote student success.


21st Century Learning Expectations (established through the 2017 review and revision cycle)

Academic Competencies:

1. Students will demonstrate effective communication and literacy skills for varied contexts and purposes.

2. Students will engage in critical thinking independently and/or collaboratively to creatively solve problems and accomplish goals.

3. Students will effectively utilize media and technology to research information with adaptability.

Social Competency:

4.) Students will embrace diversity through cultural understanding and value personal, social and emotional well-being.

Civic Competency:

5.) Students will aspire to be contributing members of the school and extended community through their participation and embodiment of good citizenship.


School-wide rubrics are currently being revised to reflect the 21st Century Learning Expectations established in the 2017 review and revision cycle.