Middletown Christian Schools

Superintendent's Report for the 2007-2008 School Year

Presented to Pastor Green, members of the School Board, and members of Grace Baptist Church

Revelation 3:20 says that the Lord Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. All He asks is for the door to be opened. The theme for 2007-2008 was ³Open the Door² and at MCS, doors were opened this year. In the areas of academics, fine arts, sports and spirit, doors of opportunity were opened and teachers, coaches and students were able to walk through.

Enrollment was four hundred forty six in grades kindergarten through twelve. This was down from the previous year. The economic conditions of our community may have contributed. The high school saw a record enrollment which was a great plus for the school.

Academically the school did well. The Standford Achievement Tests showed an average score of two years above the national norms. The school also showed a year and two months advance from the past year. Sophomores are doing well with the OGT and the faculty is studying ways to improve the training for these tests. The school board approved to allow students to pursue post-secondary options for 2008-2009. Amanda White in seventh grade advanced all the way to the ACSI National Spelling Bee in Washington D. C. She placed nineteenth out of the fifteen thousand students who participated in the nation.

A strings teacher was added to the faculty this year. Mrs. Moore was hired to assist Mrs. Mitchel in the library and to begin a strings program for the school. She had forty students and they did two performances through the year. Dr. Charles Plummer completed his first full year conducting the bands and choirs. A Christmas and spring concert were performed. The high school choir attended the Bob Jones High School Festival and sang for commencement. The drama department was able to do a musical this year, reprising "Smoke on the Mountain." Both the junior and senior high speech meets saw a number of students bring home trophies. The elementary speech meet was snowed out this year but students had a special "in house" speech meet.

The sports teams saw great success this year. Boosters added banners to the gym which commemorated past champions. There were regional qualifiers in wrestling, golf, and track. The volleyball and varsity basketball teams advanced in the OHSAA tournaments. Coach Gwinn was named ³Coach of the Year² by the Middletown Journal. The football team completed its second season with Coach Egner laying a good foundation for 2008.

The MCS Foundation hired a development director this year. Many thanks are extended to Roger Brandenburg who accepted this position and has greatly increased our exposure in the local media. The Foundation upgraded the website, conducted the major fund raisers and promoted the school. Planning is being done to finish the high school wing.

The PTF continued its support of the classrooms. They moved the school store to the first floor and purchased spot lights for the cafetorium. The community service committee organized special ministries for our students to help throughout the Middletown area.

The school's finances have greatly improved over the past two years. Education is expensive and it takes much prayer and the support of God's people to make Christian Education happen. The school board also worked with the Preschool/Daycare on improvements including adding the position of assistant director, carpeting the large room, and increasing security. A big thank you to the preschool staff and Mrs. Parks for their hard work this year.

The school graduated thirty-two seniors. Commencement was held on May thirty-first and Pastor Steve Craft was the speaker. Katie Cramer was the Valedictorian. Lauren Lewey and Amber Smith shared the salutatory honors. The senior class earned over two hundred thirty thousand dollars in potential scholarships.

During the year we saw a number of children come to know the Lord as Savior. One of the most touching was a chapel service where one of our junior high students preached chapel and two students responded to the invitation. Seeing students taking the lead in leading others to Christ really is what MCS is all about.

I wish to close with a personal testimony. This year has brought some tough challenges into my life. I am so grateful to my Lord for His help and strength through the diagnosis and surgery of my daughter. I have been overwhelmed by the support of God's people and their prayers for my family. My wife has been such a blessing and she too has carried a great burden during this time. Pastor Green and the school board have been a great encouragement to my family and we have to say thank you. We are praising the Lord that the surgery went so well and Krista is recovering well. I look at others in the school family who are also hurting as they are going through trials and I am thankful we have a school where we can pray for one another, praise the Lord for His good work and support one another in times of need. A Christian school truly is a unique family. Let's not leave the Savior standing outside knocking on the door. I want Him, I need Him, to come in and sup with me.

Respectfully Submitted by Mark Spradling

July 8, 2008