The mission of Marshall Early Graduation School (MEGS) is to provide a safe learning environment for all students with the expectation that all students can and will succeed as they become college and career ready.

WHO ARE WE?

Marshall Early Graduation School is a learning community that supports individual students' social, emotional and academic needs. MEGS provides students an opportunity to succeed in a non-traditional school setting and offers flexibility and credit recovery opportunities to students working toward graduation requirements after the completion of their 9th grade year. The program also assists students in the transition from high school to the next phases of their lives which could include college, career, or military.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEGS?

Any student who has not completed the school year of their twenty-first birthday may be accepted to MEGS to complete their diploma requirements upon approval of the committee based on one or more of the following criteria:

• Extenuating family or health circumstances necessitating an accelerated education

• Students retained one or more grades in high school

• Over age students who have dropped out of school and are returning

• Students who are married, pregnant, and/or parenting teens

• Extenuating circumstances that put the student at risk of not completing their high school education

• Students wanting to accelerate their graduation plan

• Out-of-District-Transfers/New to District students that want to be considered for MEGS must FIRST complete the transfer process to Marshall ISD and enroll in Marshall High School to be considered for enrollment into MEGS.

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEGS?

• Expelled students are not eligible during the term of their expulsion

• Students withdrawn from their previous campus due to disciplinary issues (such as a DAEP placement)

HOW MUCH TIME WILL I HAVE TO SPEND IN SCHOOL?

The focus at MEGS is on student success to meet the student's needs. Students may choose from one of two sessions (see below) and may change the session with the approval of the campus principal under certain circumstances based on need and availability.

Session Times:

Doors Open at 7:30am
AM Session - 7:45 AM - 12:10 PM
PM Session - 12:10 PM - 4:35 PM

HOW WILL STUDENTS GET TO SCHOOL?

Bus transportation is not provided. Students may also be dropped off by a parent, walk or drive with a valid student parking permit. Students may arrive no earlier than 7:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (afternoon session) must leave or be picked up no later than 10 minutes after the end of their school day.

HOW WILL STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTION?

Students will receive instruction through an online-instructional model which consists of online coursework with limited individual support. Classroom teachers will be available to help students, however, students must commit to working independently to complete coursework. This is a self-directed curriculum. Students may complete lessons at home with internet access but will be required to attend school daily. Not all courses offered at Marshall High School are available at MEGS.

HOW CAN I BE MOST SUCCESSFUL?

This varies for every student. The expectation is that students spend at least four hours daily working on coursework. For students who have qualified for the opportunity to attend school for a shortened day, working before or after school hours will help them complete their courses in a timely manner. Individual student goals will be discussed and time lines will help students successfully graduate.

HOW SOON CAN I GRADUATE?

How soon a student graduates will depend upon how many credits the student has upon entering the program and how hard he or she is willing to work. (Passing required state assessments must be met for example- passing 5 STAAR EOC exams to graduate). All students are placed on the 22 credit plan for graduation. This is the minimum plan for earning a diploma in the State of Texas.

WILL I RECEIVE A MEGS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA?

All students who complete the required credits for graduation and pass all state-required assessments will receive a high school diploma granted by TEA from Marshall Early Graduation School.

WHAT ABOUT THE STAFF'S QUALIFICATIONS?

The staff at the MEGS is made up of motivated, highly qualified, certified educators who are trained in the most effective teaching and learning techniques available. All staff have specialized training to meet the needs of our diverse students.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Students may be recommended for enrollment at MEGS by a parent, campus Administrator or campus Counselor. A parent or student may request enrollment by contacting the counselor at their current campus first (MHS). The MHS counselor can help provide you with the required information for application: 1. an updated transcript, 2. copy of the last report card, 3. an attendance summary for the prior year, 4. discipline summary for the prior year. With the required documentation the parent/student may then contact the MEGS counselor by calling 903-927-8760. The MEGS counselor will complete an application folder and a required parent/student interview at MEGS will be scheduled. The MEGS application committee makes the final decision regarding all applications.

HOW DO I REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING?

Students are expected to meet program expectations in attendance, behavior and academics. Students' progress will be evaluated on a regular basis. Students at MEGS fall under the Marshall ISD Student Code of Conduct, in addition to the MEGS program expectations. The expectations are that students who apply make a commitment to complete his/her educational journey, recover credits and/or graduate while attending MEGS. To remain in good standing a student must meet all state attendance requirements (90%), MISD behavior expectations, and MEGS progress goals.

RETURNING TO MHS: Once students enroll in the program, the student is expected to complete their high school graduation requirements at MEGS. Parents and students enrolling at MEGS are given this information during the intake interview at MEGS. Students are not allowed to return to Marshall High School once enrolled at MEGS.

SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS

All appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) must be scheduled before or after your class time.

PROCEDURES FOR ABSENCES

A parent must call the office at 903-927-8760 and leave a message before 9:30 a.m. the morning of the student's absence. The message must include the name of the student and the reason for being absent. Upon returning to school the student must have the appropriate documentation for the absence to be considered an excused absence. A doctor's note specifying the reason the student was out and the time frame that is to be excused will be required after the 3rd consecutive absence. All students are expected to maintain 90 percent attendance.

ATTENDING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

MEGS is a separate campus from Marshall High School. Some activities that are available to MHS students may not be available for participation to MEGS students. All students may attend any extra-curricular events they choose in accordance with the high school extracurricular schedule outside of the student's instructional day. Students who go to Marshall High School without permission from MEGS staff are considered out of location and disciplinary action will be taken.

Disclaimer: School leadership has the authority to use their discretion should a situation arise that is not specified by these expectations. Because of changes that may occur during the school year regarding the interpretation of the Texas Education Code, the information is subject to change without written notice to parents and students. However, due process will be offered to students with regard to any changes.