CORINTH, Miss. (WTVA) - It looks like a typical classroom in any public school.
But things are a bit different at Corinth High School.
The students are taking part in the Excellence for All program.
Freshmen and sophomores participate in more rigorous classes based on an international curriculum.
School Counselor Jennifer Martindale said, "We offer math one and two. It's a blended curriculum of algebra one, geometry and a little algebra two. Our science one and two is a blend of biology, chemistry and physics. It really allows kids to see how things work together and blending the curriculum helps them gain a better understanding."
If they succeed in these courses, it's designed to where students can graduate upon completion of the tenth grade and are then ready to enter a community college.
Most, however, stay to finish 12 years and are able to pick up some college credits in their final two years of high school.
Corinth is one of three schools in the state, and the only in northeast Mississippi, to be part of this pilot program that was started last year.
It's a concept that relies heavily on writing and reading in every subject and less on multiple choice and memorization.
Sophomore Hack Smith said, "Going from the type of test we did like multiple choice and fill in the blank to every test being on essays was a difficult transition. Now, I think it will help me in the long run getting college credits and develop my writing more."
Sophomore Tiersten Washington said, "When we have chemistry or biology tests, we used to have A,B,C answers. Now we have short answers or have to write essays."
What has school leaders excited is the fact this type of program, developed by the University of Cambridge, falls in line with the tougher Common Core State Standards.
Principal Russ Elam said, "With Common Core, which is geared more toward a written assessment, our kids are graded on their ability to think. It's not so much on a multiple choice test. That's what you get when you go to college or work. You have to think and apply information in new situations."
The principal says, in fact, it would be a disservice to students not to challenge them to courses that will help them compete not just nationally but globally.
