Maverick Launch Center

Q: Does Maverick Launch use a remedial curriculum?

A: No. Your student will be receiving the same rigorous curriculum used in all of MHS. In fact, the majority of Maverick Launch students go onto a “general” track their sophomore year, as opposed to “basic.” Typically, a handful of students are able to go into “academic.”

Q: Is my child being placed in the Maverick Launch program because of discipline issues?

A: No. In fact, students with serious disciplinary records are discouraged from being placed in the program. Obviously, exceptions occur when certain students have the potential to be a good fit.

Q: Will my child have social difficulties being in the Maverick Launch Building?

A: Being placed in the MLB should not create any social difficulties beyond what is normal for freshman students. Maverick Launch students will attend 1st & 10th period classes in the main building with all other freshman, as well as eat lunch in the main building cafeteria. Non- Mav Launch students will be unaware of the fact that your student is in the MLB, unless they choose to tell them. Based on the response of a number of former Mav Launch students, social difficulties were not an issue.

Q: Will my child still be able to participate in sports or activities?

A: Yes. Many current and former Mav Launch students participate in sports and activities. In fact, since maintaining grades is important when playing sports, the benefits the MLB provides can be invaluable to athletes.

Q: Will my child still be able to maintain his/her friendships?

A: In a school of 1800+ students, the number of classes and lunch periods make it unlikely that any 2 students will have similar schedules, so being in the main building would not improve this situation. In fact, being in a smaller school setting enables students to interact more closely with their peers, if not their close friends.

Q: Can Mav Launch students participate in an honors diploma track?

A: Yes. In fact, since students receive 2 extra credits if they successfully complete their coursework in the MLB, they could be at an advantage in later years when taking classes to satisfy the honors diploma.

“The best thing about Maverick Launch,” says freshman Brittany Sheerin, is the help from teachers.”

“That’s right,” echoed Abby Robles, a sophomore who was enrolled in the  Maverick  Launch  program  last year. “The teachers connect with everyone. They take their time to help you understand. I’m grateful for all the program did for me.”

Maverick Launch is a school- within-a-school, especially designed for incoming freshmen who would benefit from the education boost that small class sizes and extra help in math and English can give. Maverick Launch is the name of the program and it is also the name of the building where a cohort of approximately 100 lucky students attend McCutcheon High School every day.

Maverick Launch students follow the same rigorous curriculum as every other freshman student at McCutcheon High School. However, there are only 15-20 students in every Maverick Launch class. Six teachers work together as a team to help the students reach their learning goals. Thus, learning is personalized. The students have two English classes, two math classes, science and FACS every day. Because of the additional English and math learning opportunities, Maverick Launch students can earn two extra credits their freshman year. The extra support means an increased expectation that they will pass the ISTEP+ exam sophomore year and the extra credits provide room in the students’ schedules for elective classes in later years.

Students also take two classes per day in the main building,  blending   easily  with the larger student  body.  “I expected to be treated differently by the kids in the main building, Ethan Messer said, “but I am not.” Like other freshmen, Maverick Launch students choose from the full array of MHS offerings for those two hours, enrolling in such classes as World History, PE, 3D Art, World Language, technology, computer applications— wherever their interests lie. Maverick Launch students participate as well in McCutcheon sports and extra- curricular clubs. This year, 47% of the Maverick Launch students are on an MHS sports team and 75% are involved in at least one extra-curricular activity.

Teachers are consistent in their approach to the students, helping them to set and reach their learning goals. Math teacher Mike Etzkorn explains: “Our goal is to ease the transition from Middle School to High School. This is accomplished within a caring, family  like environment where the academic expectations   gradually increase throughout  the  school year. The teachers use a team  environment to  establish  consistency   across all classrooms, which leads to a safe and welcoming setting where students are given the time needed to mature and grow academically.” In this small and supportive environment, students develop habits of learning that increase their chances for success during the rest of their high school career. In fact, one- third of the Maverick Launch students are able to complete their high school course work and graduate early.

Students report other benefits to enrollment in Maverick Launch, too. For starters, former Maverick Launch students are welcome to return anytime throughout high school for extra academic help. Another plus has been the friendships formed in this small- school environment. “We’re like one bigfamily out here,” said Launch graduate Andrew Loiselle. Like other  “alums” of the program, he wishes there were a sophomore center, too.

Olivia Hernandez, a current Maverick Launch student, had some advice for 8th graders considering the Maverick Launch: “Don’t be worried,” she said. “This is a safe place. You’re always welcome here.”