Wando High School Wando School Improvement Council Members Annual School Report June 2013 Parents Thomas Bailey Toni Bunting Annual Message from Lucy Beckham, Principal and Beth Clark Kate Darby, School Improvement Council Chair Debbie Compton Kate Darby, Chair Cynthia Hart Ellen Henderson As one of the highest performing high Wando is a member of the national year, our students are supported as Allison Leggett schools in South Carolina, Wando has High Schools That Work network. they learn responsibility and make Pam Murray received the Palmetto Gold Award for the We are committed to continuous decisions about future plans. Stu- Ginger Sottile past eleven years. Although no entrance improvement and use research- dents at all grade levels are assigned Mathilde White test is required, Wando consistently based best practices as our guide. faculty advisors who meet with Tammy Wiksell proves that a large, public, non-magnet them bi-weekly. Students high school serving a diverse population Our career-related Schools of Study Jenny Bailey can produce outstanding results. and Ninth Grade Academy provide We constantly seek ways to improve Christian Blakely opportunities for personal connec- instruction and to increase learning Ross Carey In recent years, educators from across tions and help our students see the opportunities for our students. Our Toni Cockrell the United States and from foreign coun- purpose and relevance of their work focus areas have been active stu- Edward Douzart Thomas Henderson tries have come to Wando to learn more here. Through our Schools of Study, dent engagement, differentiated Taylor Ireland about how a large school maintains a students are provided incredible instruction, technology implementa- James Leggett sense of community and helps students opportunities to explore their skills tion and standards-based instruction Mariah Logan remain “connected” to school through and talents and refine their college and assessment. Raising the aca- Ashley Norman the smaller learning communities con- and career goals. Members of the demic bar for all students and pro- Audrey Paulling cept. class of 2013 completed 703 ma- viding academic support for those Eric Wagenlander jors , four or more elective courses in who struggle are crucial to the suc- Betsy Wallace Wando High School is a comprehensive an area of concentration, and re- cess of our school. Community school for grades nine through twelve ceived special recognition at gradua- Margaret Brown with a diverse student body of more than tion. Our dedicated faculty and staff have Yvonne Capers 3,500 students. More than 25% of our spent many hours participating in Beth Darby students excel in the visual and perform- Our Ninth Grade Academy provides professional development. Teachers Kerry Foy Tina Garrett ing arts. More than 93% of the 2013 students an effective transition to share instructional best practices Sue Hensch graduating class enrolled in either a two high school which begins with a first and work in curriculum teams ensur- Nathan Karpinsky or four year college or university. Wando day experience prior to the start of ing quality instruction and assess- Joanna Katz offers over 250 course selections includ- school for the rest of the student ment in all courses. Faculty collabo- Beth Kerrigan ing Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, body. Throughout the ninth grade ration and teamwork are the norm. Paul Kukes Honors, College Preparatory, Applied Chris Marino Technology, and Exceptional Education. We are blessed with a high level of Ann Muir Dottie Prevost The Wando High School Advanced Place- parental and community involve- Michaela Schmitt ment and Dual Credit passage rate con- ment. Our School Improvement Trisha Spencer tinues to be among the highest in the Council and our PTSO provide out- Jean Wall state of South Carolina. standing leadership and support as Joye Wells well as helping provide the future Giselle Wrenn We consider high school graduation an direction of our school. Improving Faculty important step for students but not the communication with parents and Sandra Drayton final goal. Each graduate is expected to the community is a common goal. Nancy Ferrell leave Wando with a viable plan for his/ Our various booster clubs and the Kay Johnson her future education and career goals. School of Study Advisory Boards are Laura Judson Our students are strongly encouraged to also vital to our school’s success. Catherine Lawson continue their education at the next We appreciate their support and Fred Phillips Nancy Platt level. continued involvement. DiAnna Sox Sheila Sparks Emilie Woody Ex-Officio Members Lucy Beckham Katherine Bloder Jason Brisini Deb Brown Shandra Drayton Wando High School Mission Statement John Farese Rebecca Imholz The mission of Wando High School, in partnership with parents and community, is to edu- Mary Whitman cate all students by providing a challenging program of study, to encourage lifelong aca- demic and applied learning, and to graduate students prepared to meet the challenge of a rapidly changing and diverse global society. Wando High School Page 2 Award Winner Initiatives and Strategies for School Improvement Initiatives including high expectations, allow- tiate instruction. ing room in the curriculum for • Our Ninth Grade Academy houses • Expand CTE, Dual Credit, and Fine career and technical studies, in- our freshmen in a “school within a Arts courses to meet students’ creasing access to academic stud- school” where they take core needs and interests. ies, offering students a challenging courses. This smaller environment program of study, allowing oppor- • Expand on-line learning opportuni- gives ninth graders the opportunity tunities for work-based learning, ties for credit recovery and initial to build relationships and to in- supporting collaboration between credit. crease their sense of community. teachers, actively engaging stu- • • Provide direct instruction in reading Our Smaller Learning Communities dents in their learning, providing a for students who read significantly Initiative provides a reorganization guidance and advisement system, below grade level via new courses. of the Upper School, grades 10-12, utilizing a program for extra help • into four smaller career-related and using assessment and data to Provide professional development “Schools of Study.” We believe foster continuous improvement. on building positive, productive using a career-related school ap- relationships with students. proach to teaching and learning will Strategies • Increase opportunities for entry help students see the relevance of • Raise the graduation rate by estab- level workforce credentials and their coursework and its connection lishing an intervention team offer- certifications for our graduates. to the future. ing academic/transition support. • • Provide professional development Wando works within the High • Expand the Golden Warrior Student on Common Core implementation Schools That Work Alliance , a Recognition and Awards Program. project-based learning. whole-school research-based re- • • Expand transition and inclusion form effort. The HSTW model Expand Advanced Placement par- Wando DECA is the largest DECA support for Exceptional Education focuses on continuous school ticipation and support. chapter in South Carolina with students. improvement through key practices • 236 students and was recognized Expand the use of data to differen- as an outstanding chapter for 2012-2013. School Highlights: Academics DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and manage- • The Senior Class of 2013 earned 47 students, meaning they received • Students from 47 public schools an average score of at least 3.25 on ment in high schools and colleges over $21 million in scholarships. throughout the tri-county area all AP exams taken and scores of at around the globe. Wando DECA battled for top honors at the 27th • Five Wando seniors were named least 3 on four or more of these gives back to the community by Annual Quest Academic Competi- National Merit Finalists. exams. AP Scholar with Distinction raising funds for various commu- tion. Overall awards were given to was granted to 57 students who nity agencies in the area. • The 2012 AP Scholars from Wando 14 schools. At Level IV, Wando received an average score of at were announced in November. High School placed second. Twenty-six Wando students There were 191 scholars with an least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and • The Academic Quiz Bowl won first joined over 13,000 students at average score of 4. AP Scholar was scores of at least 3 on 5 or more place in Charleston County, second the International Career and granted to 87 students, meaning exams. place in the State Tournament and Development Conference where they received scores of 3 or higher • Three senior students have been is headed to the National Tourna- Wando was honored with a gold on three or more AP Exams. AP accepted to U. S. Military Acad- ment. certification for The Warrior Scholar with Honor was granted to emies. Shop. Additionally, one Wando senior won an International Award for School Highlights: Communications and Fine Arts Accounting. • The Tribe Talk staff won six awards Southern Interscholastic Press • For the eighth straight year, the for their video entries in the Carry- Association, making it the 12th out Wando High School Marching Band In Contest Categories at the South- of 13 years that the newspaper has was named South Carolina State 5A ern Interscholastic Press Associa- won this award. Champion. Wando had more tion Convention. Additionally, their • Thirty-one theatre students at- students make All-State band than broadcast earned an All-Southern tended the S. C. Speech and Thea- any other high school in South rating ( the highest) and were tre Association Competition. Carolina. Sixty-five band students runners-up for the Scroggins Award Thirteen individuals and/or groups made All- State Band and 82 made which is the highest honor at the competed with ten making it to region band. Five students were convention. the finals round. Five came home named to All-State Jazz Band. • The 2012 Legend, our yearbook, with trophies.