[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6764]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE MAINE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

 Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I am delighted to commend the 
Maine School of Science and Mathematics, MSSM, of Limestone, ME, on 
being recognized among the best high schools in our country. MSSM was 
recently awarded an outstanding 13th-place ranking among more than 
21,000 public high schools included in the 2013 U.S. News and World 
Report national rankings on school achievement. I would like to engage 
my fellow Senator from Maine in saluting this accomplishment, which 
makes us both proud.
  This award recognizes that MSSM students achieve at the highest level 
academically. MSSM is a top-performing school on State-required 
assessments, and staff at the school use assessments throughout the 
academic year as a tool for improving and customizing instruction. The 
school's faculty works closely with students to forge a strong school 
community where students are encouraged to pursue their interests.
  I applaud the students who are working hard to excel and in doing so, 
making their families, communities, and State proud. I also want to 
commend the administrators, teachers, and staff of MSSM who are 
succeeding in their mission to generate confidence and momentum for 
learning. They are making a difference in the lives of their students 
and are helping them reach their full potential as independent, 
responsible learners and engaged citizens.
  I am pleased that the U.S. News and World Report has recognized the 
achievements of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, and I 
congratulate the entire community for this outstanding achievement. 
Having grown up in Northern Maine, I could not be more proud of what 
these students and this faculty have achieved.
  Mr. KING. Mr. President, I wish to associate myself with the comments 
of the senior senator from Maine. I too am proud to congratulate the 
Maine School of Science and Mathematics, MSSM, for its 13th-place 
showing in this year's U.S. News and World Report on high school 
rankings. In addition, U.S. News ranked MSSM first in New England and 
third in the United States among magnet schools. This impressive 
achievement is a testament to the exceptional caliber of the school's 
students, faculty, and staff.
  Founded by the Maine State Legislature in 1995, MSSM is a residential 
magnet school that specializes in science and mathematics education. It 
is the only school of its kind in New England. MSSM serves a diverse 
student body made up of young people from across the State of Maine and 
around the world. Graduates of MSSM are prepared for rigorous 
postsecondary programs and have gone on to notable success in fields as 
diverse as academia, engineering, public service, and the military.
  It bears mentioning that when the school was proposed during my first 
year as governor, I was opposed to funding it for budgetary reasons. 
During a time of fiscal restraint, I was uncertain of the wisdom in 
devoting funds to a new school. Boy, was I wrong--MSSM has become a 
real gem, and I have never been so glad to have been wrong.
  The U.S. News ranking reflects the school's ongoing commitment to 
excellence. Just last year, MSSM entered into a learning partnership 
with the University of Maine at Presque Isle that affords MSSM students 
the opportunity to earn college credit for select coursework. This 
collaborative approach is precisely the kind of innovative thinking 
that forges connections between high schools and postsecondary 
institutions and ensures that students are able to envision clear 
educational pathways for themselves.
  The world-class education offered in Limestone would not be possible 
without the talented teachers, administrators, and staff who have 
fostered a genuine community of learning and exploration and who have 
dedicated themselves to educating the next generation of innovative and 
well-rounded scholars. The foundation of any successful school lies in 
the dedication of its staff, and I commend the many individuals who 
lead and support this outstanding institution.
  In its 18 years of existence, MSSM has become a point of pride for 
the residents of Limestone and for the whole State of Maine. I am 
delighted to offer my hearty congratulations to all members of the MSSM 
community, and I look forward to hearing of the school's continued 
success in the years to come.

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