Madison Academic High School Principal Chad Guthrie expects a call from Jackson-Madison County Schools whenever there is a snow day. This could be about flooding in the school, or water leaks in the classrooms due to the melted snow and/or ice.
Guthrie stated that Madison students and staff were able to walk in the Madison building on the University of Memphis–Lambuth campus on Monday Jan. 10. They didn’t have to worry about heat not working or water leaks, noting the comments made by staff.
The new school offers a better environment for both students and staff. Students are excited to learn, and Madison Mustangs are proud to be part of it.
Guthrie loves the novelty, but his favorite aspect of the school is the fact that each teacher has their lab for either biology or chemical classes. The old Madison had only one lab available for the four biology and five chemistry teachers. They had to schedule classes according to availability.
Guthrie stated that students who plan to spend a lot time in biology or chemical labs in college will need to be able use properly equipped labs. Madison prepares students for higher education.
Madison has offered a rigorous college preparatory curriculum since its inception, but Madison’s presence on the University of Memphis–Lambuth campus expands these opportunities for Madison as an dual enrollment high school.
Madison’s average class size is now 58,800 square feet. This is in contrast to the old building which could not hold more than 16 students.
Guthrie was told by staff that the new building is loved by the children.
Senior Millie Treadway is a huge fan of the spaciousness and openness of the new Madison, especially the large windows that let in natural sunlight.
It creates a learning environment that is conducive to learning, she stated.
Treadway said that it makes learning more enjoyable, especially when you consider all the experiences we have had over the last four years. I believe this new building will encourage and motivate students to work hard to earn their Madison place.
Treadway and her classmates were educated during a pandemic that began in the spring semester of their sophomore years. They have endured the difficulties of virtual learning, staff and student isolations, mental health challenges, and many other challenges while trying to meet Madison students’ expectations.
She stated that even in our old house, we didn’t know what the right environment could do for our mental health. I am hopeful that everyone will have a better attitude about learning. I also hope that the new building will inspire a lot more school pride.
Many of us are proud to be Madisonians, and I believe the new building will help encourage that. It has already. We were all just so proud to be Madison students.
Treadway said that the new Madison is like a bright spot through the dark experiences of pandemic.
Guthrie is grateful for the public-private partnership which made it possible.
Continue reading: The partnership that renovated JCM has been broken down. Madison Academic is still being built
Treadway won’t be able to spend more than a semester at Madison, but she hopes that everyone will be grateful for the in-person learning that Madison offers.
It is difficult to say goodbye to something you have loved, where you’ve had many experiences, and where you’ve grown up. Although it’s hard to say goodbye to something you love, we are all eager to experience this new experience and to be in the new building for the final semester of learning before graduating.
Lasherica Thornton, education reporter for The Jackson Sun, is Lasherica Thornton. Reach her at 731-343-9133 or by email at [email protected]. Follow her Twitter: @LashericaT
This article was originally published on Jackson Sun Principal, student say new Madison creates better learning environment
