Vestal High School
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VESTAL HIGH SCHOOL An International Baccalaureate World School Profile for College and University Admissions 2017-2018 Vestal Central Mission Statement School District The Vestal Central School District believes each student is unique and can learn. The Jeffrey J. Ahearn District’s mission is to provide instruction, programs, strategies and challenges in a caring, Superintendent of Schools positive learning environment. Each student will become a critical thinker, a lifelong (607) 757-2241 learner and a responsible, contributing citizen in a changing global society. The Board of www.vestal.k12.ny.us Education, staff, parents, students and community share a commitment to this mission. Dr. Laura M. Lamash Assistant Superintendent for Instruction IB Learner Profile (607) 757-2221 The aim of all IB programs is to develop internationally minded people who, recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better Vestal High School and more peaceful world. IB learners strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, 205 Woodlawn Drive communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. Vestal, New York 13850 Clifford R. Kasson Principal (607) 757-2281 2017 Achievements Counseling & Guidance Office • Rated the number one school district in the Binghamton-Elmira area by “Buffalo Busi- Katy Jablonowski ness First” magazine for the fifth straight year and ranked 26th out of 421 public school Rebecca Martino districts in Upstate New York Christi Smith • New York State has named Vestal High School a “High Performing Reward School” for Judith St. John the 2016-17 school year Merryl Wallach • Vestal offers second-language study in Spanish, French, German, and Mandarin Chinese (607) 757-2214 • Vestal maintains award-winning programs in Visual Arts, Music, and Writing, featuring Scholastic Gold Key winners and All-State Chorus, Band, and Orchestra participants in IB/Honors Coordinator 2016, along with being named New York State Field Band Champions Sally Lowenstein • The District works in partnership with Binghamton University, Rochester Institute of CEEB Code 335730 Technology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and SUNY Broome to advance student achievement • 87% of the class of 2017 are enrolled in college Director of Physical • Vestal offers 23 International Baccalaureate courses, 7 Advanced Placement courses, Education and Athletics and 5 courses in the Project Lead the Way pre-engineering program Michael Rotondi • 5 Vestal graduates earned full International Baccalaureate diplomas and 33 Vestal seniors (607) 757-2350 earned AP Scholar designation, including nine at the Scholar with Distinction level • Vestal had two National Merit Finalists and four Commended Scholars in the Class of 2017 • 43 graduates received the Vestal Scholar Certificate which requires students to complete at least six IB or AP level courses over their four years in high school • 335 student athletes earned Scholar Athlete Awards with an average GPA of 94.133 for the 2016-2017 school year • The District sponsors a total of 51 sports teams, including State Champions in Baseball • Mean SAT Reasoning Test Score - Class of 2017 - 1159 points • The average ACT Composite Score for the Class of 2017 was 24.9, compared to a na- tionwide average of 21.0 and a statewide average of 24.2 Vestal High School 2017-2018 Profile The Community global culture, and self-expression. Co-curricular offerings and athletics are The Town of Vestal, located near the major highways of Interstates other opportunities for students to engage with their peers and contribute to 88 and 81 and Route 17, is nestled in the rolling hills of Broome County our dynamic culture of engaged learning. in the Southern Tier of New York. It covers about 53 square miles and is an area just west of Binghamton with a population of about 27,000. The School Vestal and its neighboring communities offer a wide range of cultural, Vestal High School annually receives international, national, and state athletic and educational activities including the Roberson Museum, the recognition for excellence in education. Ninth through twelfth graders attend this Discovery Center, the Kopernik Observatory, the Cider Mill Playhouse, four-year comprehensive school, choosing from over 100 course offerings. The youth and adult symphonies, theater groups, and the Tri-Cities Opera. high school also offers numerous opportunities for students in athletics, band, Binghamton University is located in Vestal and SUNY Broome is nearby, vocal music, orchestra, and the visual arts. Additionally, there are numerous both offering many cultural and educational experiences. Cornell student leadership opportunities and extracurricular activities accommodating University, Davis College, Elmira College, Ithaca College, Syracuse a wide range of student interests. The school community maintains a strong University, the State Universities at Cortland and Oneonta are all within commitment to service and volunteerism. a 60-mile radius of Vestal. Vestal High School also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma is a two-year program that challenges students The District with college-level coursework in a wide variety of subject areas. The courses Vestal Central School District is made up of five elementary schools, emphasize critical thinking, analyzing different perspectives, enhancing a middle school, and a high school. The district enrollment of 3300 students’ awareness of international issues, and improving writing skills. students is served by a faculty of 300 and a support staff of 160. The Students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of IB courses District sustains a strong program of professional development focusing depending on their interests and future goals, whether they are pursuing the on the core competencies of the Common Core Standards and current full IB Diploma or not. Should they choose to work towards the full Diploma, advancements in curriculum and instruction. Teams of teacher leaders in students need to complete six IB courses in their junior and senior years, a the areas of technology, literacy, and math promote responsive learning two-semester course called Theory of Knowledge, a program of extracurricular environments that challenge and engage students. Innovations in activities and community service, and an independent research project. technology integration are supported by teacher leaders in each building who model the use of technology as a tool for learning, expression, and The Curriculum community engagement. Vestal High School offers a wide array of curricular options beyond New The Vestal Central School District fully commits all resources to York State Regents and Advanced Regents coursework. Vestal is one of 869 fulfilling its mission for each student to become … “a critical thinker, schools in the US and 2683 schools world-wide who are authorized to offer the a lifelong learner and a responsible, contributing citizen in a changing International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a rigorous program of study global society.” To this end, the District recognizes the importance of civic across all areas of the curriculum. Additionally, Vestal students may participate engagement to a full academic program. Character education in the areas in Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering course of study administered by of student leadership, community service, and diversity are developed the Rochester Institute of Technology, and New Visions, a program through throughout our K-12 program. The District invests in an extensive arts our local BOCES that provides Vestal seniors with real-world experience in program. Musical productions and performances begin in the elementary Business, Engineering, Education and Human Development, Law and Govern- schools and lead to formal productions at the middle school and high ment, Health/Medicine and Energy Technology. school level. Art education advances our students’ awareness of diversity, Graduation Requirements Regents Diploma To become a graduate of a New York State public high school, a minimum of 22 units of credit Required Courses is required, including four units of English, four units of social studies, three units of science, three English 4 units of mathematics, 1/2 unit of health, one unit of art or music, one unit of a world language and Social Studies 4 Mathematics 3 two units of physical education along with the New York State Regents Exams or their equivalent. Science 3 World Languages 1 Art/Music 1 The Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation requires all of the above, plus two additional years Health .5 of a world language with two additional Regents exams in math and one additional Regents exam (or Physical Education 2 Electives 3.5 equivalent) each in world languages and science. Total 22 Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular activities include Art Club, Bear Facts Student Newspaper, Building Planning Team, French Exchange, Club Council, Environmental Club, French Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Gay-Straight Alliance, German American Partnership Program, German Club, High School Musical, Jazz Band, Jazz Choir, Lighthouse Leadership Team, Marching Band, Mathletes, Student Mentoring Program, Mock Trial, National Honor Society, Odyssey of the Mind, Peace Club, Principal’s Student Advisory Committee, Rotary Interact Club, SADD, Science Club (Chemistry Magic Show), Science Olympiad, Ski Club, Spanish