New entry way used at MGHS

Many Mountain Grove High School students, staff and district patrons were greeted by a remodeled front entrance when the 2025-2026 school year recently started.
The new entrance requires all visitors to first enter through a set of locked doors where they must first check in with a school employee before being granted access to the building.
With the new entrance point combining security with a warm welcome, it provides students, staff and families a peace of mind as safety is on full display as a top priority for the district.
The secure, monitored entry ensures that only authorized visitors can access the building.
This, in turn, helps to create a more focused, uninterrupted learning environment.
School leaders note the security enhancement also strengthens a positive atmosphere they want every student to feel when walking through the school’s doors.
“This project is about more than security, it’s about creating the best possible environment for our kids,” said Mountain Grove High School Principal Dr. Kerri Rodgers.
”When students feel safe and supported, they’re free to focus on learning and growing. This entrance reflects the pride our community takes in its schools and in the future of our students.”
“The safety of our students and staff is one of our highest priorities,” said Operations Director Denver Mitchell.
“The completion of this new secure entrance represents a significant step forward in ensuring the level of protection that families expect from schools today. I am grateful to our staff, students, Board of Education, and community members for their support and patience as we worked to complete this important project.”
In a written report sent to the Wright County Journal by Mountain Grove Superintendent Dr. Aaron Gerla, he noted that the parents and the community members “have expressed excitement about the project, noting that the upgrade represents a strong partnership between the school and the community.”
He also noted that “the new entrance stands as both a safeguard and a symbol of the Mountain Grove School District’s dedication to education, ensuring students can thrive in a secure, welcoming space.”