MUS | Profile Update

About

For more than 100 years, Memphis University School has provided Mid-South boys with unparalleled opportunities to develop intellectually, morally, socially, artistically, and physically, becoming leaders well-equipped to turn great ideas into action. Here, boys in Grades 7-12 find a top-tier academic program, small classes with individual attention, a school community centered on an Honor Code, extracurricular activities with opportunities for leadership, and a sense of belonging within a fellowship of common purpose.

Admissions

Come learn for yourself why there is no better school in the Mid-South for boys in Grades 7-12. We are committed to academic excellence, and we know how to teach boys. Nearly 70 percent of our teachers have advanced degrees, and they average 22 years of experience. We maintain a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1, and a typical class size of 15. Step-by-step, our students learn to take responsibility for their actions, serve the community, and develop leadership skills as they make lifelong friendships.

Academics

The extraordinarily accomplished and dedicated faculty is our driving force, and providing boys an unparalleled college-preparatory education is our guiding principle. Since the school’s founding in 1893, we have upheld a tradition of excellence, and we stay on the cutting edge by keeping an eye on the future. What we teach is shaped by the expectations that colleges have for students they admit, and by what we believe we should pass on from generation to generation.

Arts

Understanding and appreciating the works of man’s creative spirit are necessary for a complete education. We offer students myriad opportunities for hands-on, full-fledged participation in performing, visual, and recording arts. Boys here have the chance to sculpt, to paint, to act, to sing, and to perform, and the whole community benefits from the creativity that they express.

“It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance … and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process.” - Henry James, 1915

Athletics

Sports have always played a significant role in shaping the moral character of our students. Teamwork, self-sacrifice, courage, stamina, perseverance, hard work, self-control - these values are forged in the crucible of competition. While we are extremely proud of our numerous athletic achievements, we realize these endeavors are never an end in themselves, but a powerful means to an end: self-knowledge and self-improvement for our boys. Our athletic program lives by the highest code of sportsmanship. We play hard, we play by the rules, and we have fun. At MUS, we always play the games well.

Student Life

A tradition of excellence remains vigorous here due to the commitment of the entire community - especially students. We encourage our boys to strive for excellence because that allows them to find meaning in what they do, to play a role in something greater than themselves, and to discover a sense of competence and thus confidence in themselves and in their abilities. If our academics, or our sports, or our arts, or our service and leadership opportunities do not challenge or engage boys, then they lack the capacity to transform boys. The struggle for excellence makes our experiences real. And boys need something real.

School Supply Shopping

The 2019-20 school supply lists for Upper and Lower School students have been posted and may be found on the Parent Quicklinks Resource Board when you are logged into the website. Here is information for upcoming tax-free holidays:
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Ding Competes at National MATHCOUNTS

Eighth grader Varun Krishnamurthi and seventh graders Bryan Ding, Evan Wu, and Jerry Xiao advanced to the state MATHCOUNTS competition in Nashville in early March where the fearsome foursome took third place, and Ding, as an individual winner, earned the chance to play on the Tennessee team at the national competition in Lake Buena Vista, FL, this May.
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“1776” Wins Two Orpheum Awards

Congratulations to the cast and crew of 1776 for winning Outstanding Production Number for “Mama, Look Sharp” and to cast member Bella Littleton for winning Best Supporting Actress.
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“The Owl’s Hoot” Awarded First Place

The American Scholastic Press Association awarded The Owl’s Hoot staff a 2018-19 Scholastic Newspaper-First Place Award. The students were commended for their October and February issues, two entry among 900 submissions in seven categories covering content and design.
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Hyde Library Summer Hours and Services

The Hyde Library will be open this summer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday. Students may check out books over the summer or download books and audiobooks from the Axis 360 platform.
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Summer Office Hours

From June 3 - August 2, school offices will be open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Offices will be closed Memorial Day, May 27, and July 4-5.
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Class of 2019 Commencement

Surrounded by the family members, friends, and teachers who supported them along the way, the Class of 2019 celebrated graduation on Sunday, May 19, at Second Presbyterian Church. Click here to see selected photos from the event. Kathy Daniel Patterson took photos during Commencement, and the images should be loaded on her website by May 23. Under Client Viewing, enter the Event ID MUS2019.

We will mail the parents of each graduate a complimentary flash-drive copy of the Commencement video.
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Communications Director Receives Service Award

Director of Communications Liz Copeland received the Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service, presented annually at the year-end faculty luncheon to a member of the staff. Headmaster Pete Sanders commended Copeland for her unwavering commitment to excellence and her expert oversight of print and digital communications for the school. Ben Hale endowed this award in honor of his wife – a valued member of the staff for 24 years – upon her retirement in 1998. Ben's son Steve Hale '84 and granddaughter Lauren were on hand for the award presentation.
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Counce Honored for 25 Years of Service

Upper School Assistant Principal Mark Counce ’77 was recognized at the year-end faculty luncheon for 25 years of service at MUS. As an alumnus, Counce has school connections that began some 10 years before his teaching tenure (1983-1993 and 2004 until today). He has taught math, coached basketball, overseen discipline, and raised three alumni (Stephen ’07, Robert ’09; and Andrew ’14). As a token of the school’s appreciation, Headmaster Pete Sanders presented him with an Honorary Master of Arts.
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Peer Mentors Needed for 2019-20

Any current freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who are interested in being Peer Mentors for 2019-20 should complete an application and return it to Director of Counseling Joe Abrahams by the last day of school, May 24. Students may pick up an application on the desk outside Mr. Abraham’s office. Existing mentors are required to fill out a new application to serve next year.
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Arjun Puri Physics Olympian

Junior Arjun Puri earned a Gold Medal for his performance in the 2019 Physics Olympiad and has been named a USA Physics Olympiad finalist. Approximately 6,000 students participated in the first round of the competition hosted by the American Association of Physics Teachers in late January. Less than 7 percent of those students qualified as semifinalists, advancing to the next round in late March.
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Lower School Football Team Sign Up

Rising eighth graders and incoming seventh graders: This is your invitation to play in the 2019-20 season. We will have two squads of combined grades, the Lower School Red and Lower School Blue. After the first week of evaluation in early August, players will be divided into two equal teams. We will send out evaluation dates and equipment information later this summer. Returning eighth graders: The equipment you have from last year will be fine for next season. Email Coach Bobby Alston with the candidate’s name and grade. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to send an email or call him at (901) 260-1372.
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Owls Take Second in Regional Physics Bowl

Owls competed against the best physics students from 11 states in the annual Physics Bowl, taking second place in Division II for the fourth year in a row.
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Order of the Owl, Latin Society Celebrated

Lower School Principal Loyal Murphy welcomed families as Order of the Owl and National Latin Honor Society inductees were celebrated Friday, May 10, 2019. Order of the Owl eligibility demands high academic performance and demonstrated excellent citizenship in accordance with the school Honor Code and Community Creed. In order to qualify for the NLHS, a student must be a member of Junior Classical League, must attend one of the Latin conventions during this school year, must maintain an A average, and must gain approval from his instructors.
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Sowell Receives Distinguished Teaching Award

Department of Science Chair Analice Sowell was named the 2019 recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award. Established in 1990 through a generous bequest by former Lower School Principal John Murry Springfield, the award is given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.
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Springfield Scholars Induct 10

Ten eighth graders joined the Springfield Scholars May 9 in an evening filled with moving testimonials, proud parents, and crisp new ties. During the 13th annual dinner, Jack Blackwell, Vince Boberski, Jaxon Hammond, Frederick Huang, Varun Krishnamurthi, Kevin Ma, Jackson Oswalt, Alyaan Salman, Jack Zaptin, and Lou Zhou each received a commemorative tie, certificate, and lapel pin, and a favorite teacher spoke in his honor.
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Salman Wins Trigon Tournament

Lower School students gathered in Thomas Amphitheater this morning for the grand spectacle of the 7th Annual Roman Trigon Tournament.
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CAMWS Honors 26 Latin Owls

A total of 26 students earned recognition on the 2019 Classical Association of the Middle West and South Latin Translation Contest. Competing against 1,000 or more students from Virginia to Colorado, Owls earned cash, books, or certificates for their performances. Cash award winners scored in the top 2-3 percent in their grade level, book award winners scored in the top 5-6 percent, and certificates of commendation winners scored in the top 20 percent.
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Student Leaders Honored

In chapel this week, the 2018-19 student leaders received medallions in appreciation for their service to the school. The 2019-20 leaders then were sworn in. See the list of 2019-20 leaders HERE.
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Summer SLAM Program – Help Spread the Word

Help us spread the word about our summer SLAM program, and pass along the names of high-achieving middle-school boys who would be great candidates. Now in the 15th year, SLAM is a full-day program involving academics, leadership, and athletics for boys entering Grades 5-9.
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About

Admissions

Academics

Arts

Athletics

Student Life

List of 1 members.

Ann Laughlin

School Supply Shopping

Ding Competes at National MATHCOUNTS

“1776” Wins Two Orpheum Awards

“The Owl’s Hoot” Awarded First Place

Hyde Library Summer Hours and Services

Summer Office Hours

Class of 2019 Commencement

Communications Director Receives Service Award

Counce Honored for 25 Years of Service

Peer Mentors Needed for 2019-20

Arjun Puri Physics Olympian

Lower School Football Team Sign Up

Owls Take Second in Regional Physics Bowl

Order of the Owl, Latin Society Celebrated

Sowell Receives Distinguished Teaching Award

Springfield Scholars Induct 10

Salman Wins Trigon Tournament

CAMWS Honors 26 Latin Owls

Student Leaders Honored

Summer SLAM Program – Help Spread the Word

Memphis University School