May 20, 2012

The school district
The Middleburgh Central School District is a dynamic educational community located in the Helderberg Mountains of Schoharie County, New York, southwest of the Capital Region area.

The school district's motto is "MCS KNIGHTS SUCCEED." Read the school district's mission statement here. Download the mission statement as a PDF here. View a short video (wmv file - 1:24 in length) developed in September 2009 about the school district and it's mission here. You will need to have video-viewing software installed on your computer in order to view the video.

Here is the school district's alma mater with a short piano audio clip.

Students come from 11 towns in eastern and southern Schoharie County and western Albany County to attend MCS – at 181 square miles, one of the largest school districts in the state in terms of area.

 
The elementary school, above, and the middle school/high school, below, serve Middleburgh's more than 900 students.

The school district has two buildings – the elementary school (425 preK-grade 5 students) and the middle school/high school (475 grades 6-12 students) - that are both located on Main Street in Middleburgh. The middle school (grades 6-8) is housed on the top floor of the high school.

Approximately 110 faculty members and 120 non-instructional and professional staff interact and work with students every day. Each grade has approximately 60-75 students. Middleburgh is known for small class sizes, many of which have fewer than 20 students.

Middleburgh's school district was serviced originally by a one-room school house. On the site of the current high school, another school was located. That school existed until the current building was erected early in the twentieth century.

Programs ranging from classroom enrichment to special education are offered to meet each child’s needs. Accelerative mathematics, science and Spanish are offered, along with home and careers, technology and the arts. The high school offers a variety of choices for students. There are 8-10 college credit-bearing courses, which give students the ability to enter college with a possible 30 credits. MCS has a federally funded after-school and summer program for students in the elementary and middle school.

Middleburgh Central Schools acted as the lead district to fund a study that developed in the Schoharie Area District Learning Network, which allows students to take additional courses via two-way television. The network has grown from the original three schools to now involve Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Cohoes, Duanesburg, Scotia-Glenville, Schoharie Career and Technical School and Voorheesville.

Current courses taught over the distance learning network include AP Psychology, Sociology, Women Writers, Poetry, Psychology, Theater Arts, Philosophy, Environmental Science and AP Economics.

MCS students are able to participate in these after-school activities: National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, Student Congress, Choir, FBLA, Thespian Society, Pep Band and Band, Athletic Association, Mock Trial, Newspaper, Chess Club, Jazz Band, FFA, Marching Band, SADD, Yearbook, Ski Club, Interact, Odyssey of the Mind, Spanish Club, MCS Tutors, Prom Committee, Model UN, History Club and Flag and ID Group.

There are several musical opportunities as well as theatrical opportunities in summer performances, senior play and spring musical.

MCS is a section II Class C School in interscholastic athletics. Students may participate in soccer – boys and girls; volleyball, wrestling, track, tennis, golf, baseball/softball, basketball – boys and girls, cross country, bowling and cheerleading.

The community
The school buildings are located in the village of Middleburgh, where there are many churches, businesses, a library and several service organizations, including Rotary and Lions Club.

The community is also home to the Best House and Medical Exhibit as well as nearby Howe Caverns, Iroquois Indian Museum, Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association and Old Stone Fort Museum.

Adjacent to the elementary school is an outdoor complex of playgrounds, playing fields and the Everlasting Nature Trail constructed by community volunteers.

Middleburgh and the Schoharie Valley are known for excellent fishing and hunting, easy access to cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobiling and hiking. You can pick strawberries, get lost in the corn maze or get farm fresh produce from Barber’s, Bohringer’s or Shaul farms. Spend the weekend antiquing or hiking Vrooman’s Nose (the image shown at the top of this page).

Nearby, the Blenheim Gilboa Power Project offers educational and recreational programs throughout the year. Next door to the power project is Mine Kill State Park which features an Olympic-sized pool and hiking and boating facilities and the Lansing Manor House museum.

Middleburgh enjoys a beautiful country setting and is located just 40 miles south of Albany, the Capital Region of New York state. You will find many two- and four-year colleges, several shopping malls, professional sports teams and numerous cultural centers, including the Empire State Performing Arts Center, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Times Union Center, Proctor’s Theater and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

Middleburgh's school district was serviced originally by a one-room school house. On the site of the current high school, another school was located. That school existed until the current building was erected early in the twentieth century.