MMI Preparatory School provides an incredible educational opportunity for area students in grades 6-12, giving them a chance to grow and thrive in an environment that focuses on preparing students for success in college and beyond.
Our educational philosophy focuses on developing well-rounded graduates with a strong liberal arts background, a mastery of 21st-century skills, and a strong sense of community.
Our four pillars of Academics, Athletics, Activities, and Service act as the guideline for accomplishing this and are built on a solid foundation of character development.
THERESA LONG HEAD OF SCHOOL
Faculty members are committed to MMI students and their growth. Instructors make themselves readily available to students. Small class sizes, an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a caring atmosphere allow for plenty of individualized attention.
Whether you are considering MMI for your student in middle school or looking for a strong college-preparatory high school program, MMI takes pride in developing graduates who not only make their families and community proud, but also have personal pride in their ability to accomplish many things in school and beyond.
A child’s middle school years are the perfect time to enroll at MMI.
Students who enroll at MMI in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade are able to hit the ground running as they transition to high school. MMI intentionally keeps our programs small so we may continue to provide the time and attention necessary to truly develop students.
By the time they reach 9th grade, MMI middle school students will have developed the study habits and time management skills they need for success in 9th through 12th grade.
Students in middle school are rapidly approaching a crossroads in their educational careers. They have to begin thinking about their futures.
Each needs to be challenged and encouraged. It is a time to develop not only the educational tools but also the life skills needed to grow and thrive in today’s quickly changing world.
At the middle school level, MMI blends various educational components to prepare students. The curriculum combines the traditional with the modern, as well as classroom teaching with practical experiences. Students practice time management skills so they can learn to plan their days and evenings more e ciently. By the time they move on to the upper school, students know how to study, do homework, and take notes so they can focus more on the content of each course. Seventy-five percent of our 2023 graduates started at MMI in our middle school.
Preparing for college is a key focus at MMI Preparatory School
Over the years, our graduates have gone on to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country, but our number one goal is to assist all students with finding the college or university and vocational path that is right for them.
Our college counseling program begins preparing students for college entrance exams and applications early on, so they are ready to enter their senior year well prepared for the college acceptance process. Families are encouraged to meet with the college counselor beginning in a student’s junior year to have questions about applications, college visits, financial aid, and other topics answered in a convenient and understandable manner. We host various events throughout the academic year for parents to hear from outside experts as well.
MMI uses state-of-the-art technology to assist students with completing common applications, test preparation, preparing essays, uploading teacher recommendations, and more.
MMI students excel on SAT and ACT tests, both of which can play an important role for college entrance, scoring well above state and national averages. The return on an MMI investment comes in the form of students collectively being o ered millions of dollars in scholarship funds to attend college. The most recent graduating class of 24 students earned $7.5 million in scholarships and other monetary gifts for their college expenses.*
100 percent of MMI graduates are admitted to colleges and universities.
*College scholarships are dependent on the student and college. Scholarships are not guaranteed.
At MMI, we believe that a well-rounded education should be fun and socially rewarding.
This is why we provide students with access to a number of extra- and co-curricular activities to help them develop leadership skills, foster critical thinking, stimulate intellectual curiosity, and build lasting friendships.
Students at MMI have access to a variety of activities to challenge themselves at all levels and continually achieve and measure the success of their e orts through their progress.
This is especially true in our Assembly and Open House Programs. The Assembly Program allows each student to present information to their peers on a topic of their choice. The Open House Program allows each student to complete an independent research project, which is then presented to the public during our spring Open House.
Participating in athletic competition and extra-curricular activities builds discipline and character, as well as furthers a student’s ability to manage his or her time, a valuable skill for college and life.
MMI’s athletic o erings include:
Baseballbasketball, cheerleading, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
Amazingly, over 60% of our students participate in a school sport. Students in 7th through 12th grades are encouraged to participate in the sport(s) of their choice.*
Our athletic complex includes a gym with locker rooms and a weight room, tennis courts, a baseball field, the Warner Softball Field, soccer field, and the 1.5 mile Bernard Cortese '40 and Shayna Cortese Schiavo Trail that doubles as a cross country course.
*PIAA rules allow for student participation in organized school sports beginning in the 7th grade.
MMI Preparatory School has a long history of educating students who seek to optimize their full potential at an independent school.
For more than 140 years, MMI has been deeply rooted in the Greater Hazleton area, serving many families for generations.
Our high academic standards, coupled with small classes, individualized attention, and excellent teachers allow us to provide an educational environment that stimulates intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and independent thinking.
The MMI community consists of actively-involved parents, faculty, coaches, and sta dedicated to providing a safe environment where students learn the value of hard work, leadership, and responsibility.
Being independent allows us to approach education with a unique perspective, creating a diverse environment where each child can feel like he or she belongs. It also means we can focus on your child’s needs without being confined to state and federal mandates and strictures that do not, in our opinion, promote learning and retention.
Students who attend independent schools have a greater likelihood of completing a bachelor or graduate degree. An investment in your child’s future now will pay dividends for a lifetime!
MMI holds dual accreditation by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education. The School is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
Over the years, the MMI campus has undergone many upgrades, but being environmentally aware and health conscious has been a focus in the most recent years.
Reducing waste is a hallmark of the lunch program. There are no garbage cans in the cafeteria. Students are taught to utilize a system of separating bins to di erentiate trash from compostable and recycleable materials. Compost gets removed to our outside compost bins.
Other energy-saving additions include motion-sensing lighting throughout the school building. Refillable water bottle stations, courtesy of the MMI Parents Association, reduce plastic bottle waste and students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to school to use throughout the day.
Through research done several years ago by our AP Physics students, the school purchased vending-misers. These devices link vending machine power cords to the outlet allowing the machines to turn o when not in use.
MMI’s involvement with the conservation-based Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom program o ers
another interdisciplinary avenue toward environmental awareness.
MMI utilizes the nursing services of the Hazleton Area School District and employs a full-time school counselor to assist students with social, emotional, and academic guidance.
Because we believe in the value of character education and service opportunities that emphasize respect, responsibility, and self-discipline, we help our students become environmentally aware and health conscious. These are important concepts to our overall mission and philosophy at MMI Preparatory School.
MMI is committed to attracting qualified students representing diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups.
Now that you have read about some of the advantages of an independent school education at MMI, we invite you to visit our beautiful campus and learn more about what we have to o er your child.
Many parents today, who care about quality education, choose independent schools. They understand the benefits and the importance of instilling good study habits beginning in the middle school grades and continuing through high school.
MMI is not only for exceptionally bright students. We have helped many students realize their potential and go on to gain acceptance to some of the best colleges and universities around the globe.
A
ording an MMI Education
One thing we hear often is, “I would consider MMI, but I just can’t a ord it.”
MMI operates on the principle that a quality education should not be out of anyone’s financial reach. This is why we o er a number of solutions to help make sending your child to MMI a ordable.
Currently, more than 50% of MMI students receive some form of need-based tuition assistance. We o er generous assistance packages to qualified families, provide merit awards for exceptionally gifted students, o er a summer work-study program, provide options for payment plans, and collaborate with outside firms to arrange for low-interest student loans.
scholarships and financial aid options that are available to our students in their college years. An investment in your child’s middle and secondary education can bring incredible opportunities for his or her educational future.
Please see the tuition assistance information in the back of this booklet for more information.
Admission to MMI
We base admission decisions on academic merit and character.
Many new students enter MMI starting in the 6th grade, with almost all entering by 9th grade. However, qualified candidates may seek admission in the 6th through 11th grades if space is available.
Application: All applications are due prior to a student’s scheduled testing date. The application is available online at www.mmiprep.org/apply.
Entrance Requirements: Admission to MMI
In addition, our college counseling department works diligently to keep up-to-date on the latest
Preparatory School is open to any person, regardless of race, color, religious preference, sex, or national origin. The applicant need only demonstrate that he or she is capable of performing well, both academically and socially.
