MMI Preparatory School
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 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
| MMI Preparatory School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
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Freeland , Pennsylvania United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Coeducational College Preparatory |
| Established | 1879 |
| Founders | Eckley and Sophia Coxe |
| Faculty | 7% PhD, 92% Masters, 1% Bachelors |
| Enrollment | 250 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 9:1 student:teacher |
| Color(s) | Red and White |
| Athletics | Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Golf, Cross Country, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Cheerleading |
| Team name | Preppers |
| Website | mmiprep.org |
MMI Preparatory School is an independent, non-sectarian, coeducational college preparatory day school for grades 6-12. MMI is located between Centre and Ridge streets in Freeland, Pennsylvania. The current president of MMI is Thomas Hood.
History
On May 7, 1879 Eckley B. Coxe, the son of a prominent Philadelphia judge and the owner of a large mining area, opened his own school - the Industrial School for Miners and Mechanics.[1] Twenty-nine male applicants, ranging in age from 12 to 24 walked into a small two-story building in Drifton, PA, seeking an education. Eighteen were rejected due to the school's high standards. Of the 11 who were accepted, eight successfully completed their first year. The first instructor was O.J. Heinrich. He was succeeded by John R. Wagner, who also managed the school until 1893 when Coxe selected a Board of Directors to manage the school.[2]
At the time, classes were held two hours a night, six nights a week. When the mines were closed, students met for six hours a day. They studied spelling, reading, writing, grammar, composition, algebra, bookkeeping, geometry, trigonometry, mechanical drawing, physics, chemistry, mineralogy, drafting, mining, and other courses. The curriculum was designed to produce intelligent foremen, not engineers.[3] Coxe often had to go to Europe for the technical training he needed, and he wished to make it available in the United States. [4]
In 1888, a fire completely destroyed the Drifton school. The school reopened, now called the Miners and Mechanics' Institute of Freeland, Pennsylvania, on March 16, 1893. It was located on the third floor of a building on Centre St in Freeland.
Within five weeks, the board of directors decided to lease eight more rooms in another building to accommodate increasing enrollment. It was at this meeting that the name of the school was changed yet again, to the Mining and Mechanical Institute of Freeland.
Coxe delivered the Founder's Day Address on May 31, 1893. The school was incorporated in Luzerne County Court on July 31, 1894. Coxe began offering scholarships for the school's best students.
Enrollment at MMI continued to grow, and in December 1902, the front wing of the new school was built where MMI stands today. It was largely funded through contributions from Eckley Coxe's wife, Sophia Georgianna Coxe. Classes started in the new wing in the spring of 1903.
In 1914, Mrs. Coxe funded the construction of the rear wing of the existing building, which housed the chemistry and physics laboratories. She also funded the construction of the gymnasium across the street in 1925. She continued to help subsidize student tuition costs.
During the Great Depression, night school enrollments dropped off. The school began offering day classes in 1893. The night school briefly reopened between 1940 and 1950, but after World War II, it was closed again for lack of enrollment.
In 1946, the front and rear wing were joined by an addition. In 1964, the main building was gutted by fire. On June 9, hours before graduation, smoke was seen coming out of the tower. By 3:00 P.M., the tower had fallen and burned. The roof caved in. The interior of the front wing was completely destroyed, but the rear wing and all school records (dating back to 1893) were saved. During the commencement exercises, the board of directors promptly announced the school would be rebuilt. On October 30, the newly restored building was dedicated.
In 1970, the school began accepting young women. The name of the school was changed to MMI Preparatory School because officials felt that the old name did not adequately describve the school's function or mission, which was to prepare students for the rigors of college academics.
The Preppers 1973 boys' basketball squad won a state basketball championship, the first and only independent school to do so.
In 1977, MMI expanded its curriculum by adding a 7th and 8th grade (Mid-School) to the Preparatory School. The Century II Building, containing the cafetorium, computerized library, science labs, and modern classrooms, opened in 1979.
In 1996, the school spent a quarter-million dollars on a new computer lab, which a state computer consultant termed "one of the most rich and full-featured networks in the state." The project was largely funded through alumni contributions and outside donations.
For the first time in its 120-year history, MMI Preparatory School opened its doors to sixth grade students at the start of the 1999-2000 school year. The first class had 20 students and was taught by Mrs. Maria Greco.
In 1999, work began on a $4.6 million expansion project that added a new Science/Technology wing and a new Athletic and Drama Complex. The Old Main Building was also remodeled at this time. The building project was funded through a bond issue secured through the Hazleton Industrial Development Authority, as well as private donations. This project marked the largest, single private investment made in the local area at that time.
Curriculum
MMI is considered unusual in that it is one of the few schools in Pennsylvania that requires students grades 7-8 to take Latin as a major course. This is to help with the 9th grade+ foreign languages. Students of most grades are required to take computer-science courses. Many of the courses offered at MMI use college level textbooks and indeed many of the advanced placement courses can be used to further the level of courses a student can take in college, though many students choose to retake the same courses in their university studies to improve their G.P.As. All students are required to choose a "club" which meets during the final period every Friday. Clubs cover many extracurricular activities, and some are purely for entertainment and being with friends.
Athletics
MMI is a member of the Wyoming Valley Conference of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Though MMI is better known for the academic performance of its students than for their athletic performances, the 1973 MMI boy's basketball team became the first and only private school in Pennsylvania to win a state championship. Despite this the school is well-equipped with a tennis court, basketball court, softball diamond, and track field.
Architecture
MMI consists of three buildings which were added as the student body grew. The layout of the school consists of a courtyard which includes several pillars near the entrance to the gymnasium, a garden dedicated to a student who was killed in a car accident during her tenure at MMI, and a large gate. In the wake of school shooting at Lancaster County, the school added state of the art security cameras to constantly monitor all entrances to the school. All entrances are locked during school hours and are required to be opened by the office staff.
Board of Directors
MMI Preparatory School's Board of Directors meets periodically, both as an executive committee and as a whole board. These dedicated members of the MMI community set policy, develop and approve budgets, and are responsible for the governance of the school. With the advent of Strategic Planning, the Board of Directors has ensured for MMI's place in the 21st century. Our Directors are deserving of our gratitude and appreciation for their continuing efforts on behalf of the students of MMI Preparatory School.
MMI Preparatory School Board of Directors 2008-2009
Officers: Chairman Libro J. Ciarmatori Business Consultant
Vice Chairman Thomas Wisniewski Sales Representative Kraft Foods
Secretary Lillian L. Urenovich Office Manager / Sales Producer McNealis Insurance Services, Inc.
Treasurer Barbara E. Ecker, CPA Retired Accountant Hazleton-Saint Joseph Medical Center
President, MMI Thomas Hood, BS, MS
President Emeritus, MMI Joseph G. Rudawski
President Emeritus, MMI William Shergalis, Phd, '56
Board Members: Anthony M. Carrato, M.D., ’83 Surgical Specialties of Hazleton
Weld Coxe, ’46 Founder of The Coxe Group, emeritus
Llewellyn F. Dryfoos, III, ’82 President Dryfoos Insurance Agency
Dr. Harsh Gandhi Northeast Medical Oncology Associates
J. Stoddard Hayes, Jr. Esq. Principal Gollatz, Griffin & Ewing. P.C.
Donald G. Karpowich, Esq. Principal Donald G. Karpowich, Attorney-at-Law, P.C.
Andrea A. Kosko, ’74 Partner Fellin’s Jewelers
Edward A. Kushma, ’62 Senior Engineer, Retired PPL Electric Utilities
Brian G. Lucas, ’84 President F&L Doors, Inc.
Frank P. Orlando, CPA Independent Consultant
Adrian Secheresiu, M.D. President A&E Medical Associates, P.C.
Andrew P. Shiner Certified General Appraiser North Penn Realty
Stanley B. Warner, III, CPA, ’92 Senior Accountant Silberline Manufacturing Co., Inc.
School Statistics
According to the school's website and several press releases, MMI has an average of 98% of every graduating class moving on to college. Many MMI graduates have gone on to earn CPAs, MDs, MBAs and PhDs. A few notable graduates are: Dr. David W. Stiller class of '61, physical science teacher (now retired), Dr. William Shergalis, class of '58, president emeritus of MMI, Rev. William O'Hara '63, former chaplain of the Hawaii State Mental Hospital and former professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Commenius University in Bratislava. The alumni also include many community leaders and a former member of the Delaware House of Representatives (1992-2002), Atty. Richard A. DiLiberto, Jr. ' 79.