Education in the U.S. and Great Britain Reifsnyder & Dewhurst
AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS
Important Terms Lower Classmen 9th: freshman 10th: sophomore Upper Classmen 11th: junior 12th: senior Upper Classmen privileges
Denbigh High School (Newport News, VA)
General Statistics Total Enrollment 1896 Gender: - Male 1046 (55.2%) Femal 850 (44.8%) Ethnicity: Native American 16 (0.8%) Asian/Pacific Islander 90 (4.7%) Black 975 (51.4%) Hispanic 153 (8.1%) White 660 (34.8%) Unspecified 2 (0.1%) Special Education: 198 (10.5%)
General Information grades: 9-12 mascot: Denbigh Patriots colors: red, white, and blue dress code Academic Year 2004-05 First day of class: September 7th Last day of class: June 16th 2 semesters (Sept. - Feb. & Feb.- June) Holidays and Breaks: Thanksgiving, Winter break (12/21-1/3), Spring break (3/28-4/4), Summer break (mid June to September)
Subjects Math (algebra I & II, geometry, trigonometry, calculus I & II) English Natural science (earth science, biology, chemistry, physics) Social studies (world & US geography, world & US & local history, government & civics) Foreign Languages (German, French, Spanish) Arts & Music (music, fine arts, school band) Skills (driver s education, computer skills, typing, journalism, cooking & shop)
Discipline Area standard advanced modified English 4 4 4 Mathematics 3 4 3 Laboratory Science 3 4 2 History and Social Sciences 3 4 2 Foreign Languages 0 3 0 Health and Physical Education 2 2 2 Fine Arts or Practical Arts 1 1 1 Electives 6 2 6 Total 22 24 20
Foreign Languages students are not required to take a foreign language for a normal or modified diploma for an advanced diploma either 3 years of one language or 2 years of two languages languages offered at Denbigh French, German, Spanish
Levels of Courses Magnet or Academy Programs Advanced Placement (AP) Accelerated Courses Remedial Courses Vocational Technology Courses
Magnet or Academy Programs focus more intensely on students' career or academic interests students in program excel in the particular area students must apply for the programs examples: fine arts and communications, traditional academic magnet (classic education), engineering and technical magnet magnet programs can be found in high schools Denbigh has aviation magnet program
Advanced Placement (AP) 34 courses and exams on 19 subject areas advanced classes to improve your writing skills, study habits, and problem-solving skills allows high school students to get a head start on college courses most colleges and universities now recognize AP credits teachers and administrators (in consultation with parents) decide if student should be enrolled in AP
Vocational Technology Programs integrates academic and technical education into the high school curriculum usually coordinated with another institute student learns technical skills (e.g., carpentry, machine repair, etc.) for students who are not planning on going to college example: Academic Tech at Denbigh
Grading Grading Scale A 92-100 B 83-91 C 74-82 D 65-73 F Below 65 Grade Point Average GPA = letter grade + course level / credit hours students are ranked according to GPA valedictorian & salutatorian
Administration School Staff principal: Michael Evans assistant principals secretaries, registrar & administrative aids Teachers Nurse Library Staff Lunchroom Staff School Guidance Counselors Guidance Director: Eric Hairston guidance counselors career counselor
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
SPORTS Junior Varsity sports girls & boys soccer coed softball coed baseball boys football Varsity sports girls & boys tennis coed softball coed baseball girls & boys soccer coed track boys football
CHEERLEADERS!
Letter Jackets
COMPETITIONS Academic Challenge, Geography Olympiad, Great Computer Challenge, science fairs HONOR SOCIETIES German Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Key Club, American Technology Honor Society CLUBS Annual (Yearbook), Chess Club, Debate, Future Business Leaders of America, French Club, German Club, Spanish Club, Future Homemakers of America, Geography Club, German Club, History Club, JROTC Color Guard, JROTC Drill Team, Model Congress, Model Judiciary, Newspaper, SADD, Symphony Orchestra, Drama Club
School Band
Other School Events assemblies school dances high school graduation
PREP SCHOOLS Elite college preparatory boarding schools
General Characteristics help children of affluent families gain admission to prestigious colleges (Ivy League) highly qualified staff smaller class sizes traditional curriculum (classic education) school uniforms usually boarding schools sometimes separated by gender sometimes religiously affiliated
Concord Academy, MA
Concord Academy, MA coeducational, secondary, boarding & day school no religious affiliation grades: 9-12 number of students Boys: 171 Girls: 184 faculty student ratio 1:7 class size 12 tuition $33,900/year for boarding school $27,400/year for day school enrollment requirements