Princeton High School Gary Snyder, Principal Principal’s letter Live to Learn, Learn to Live Princeton, a central New Jersey in its continuing tradition of academic community of 30,000, has in recent and cultural achievement. The years grown beyond its traditional richness of its academic programs, identification but has not outgrown its extensive club and student-run traditions. For over 250 years, activities, and athletics programs assist Princeton University has symbolized in preparing its students to be citizens the community’s values of education of the world. This whole-student and culture. approach reflects the view that learning is not classroom-bound. Moreover, our Princeton High School reflects the students are encouraged to view lifestyle of a community that takes pride themselves as valuable citizens of this community of learning. 2 School Profile Discovering Princeton High… Princeton High School reflects the values of a community that takes pride in its continuing tradition of academic and cultural achievement. We have worked hard to ensure that all our programs reflect our students’ abilities and aspirations. Approximately 1,415 students choose from 260 course offerings. More than 70 percent of our students participate in Advanced Placement or accelerated programs. We supplement these courses with extensive elective offerings in the arts, humanities, and the sciences. Special programs focus on student enrichment and are designed to form a web of support for all students. Our Learning-in-the-Community and School-to-Career programs help students become aware of community resources, explore careers, improve communication skills, and provide community service. Our Big Brother/ Sister course trains selected seniors to serve as resources for other students. The Career Awareness/ Community Service program educates students to organize and lead sophomore groups in career and community-service projects. Our Peer Group mentors teach selected seniors to be student leaders for groups of freshmen in problem-solving activities, group discussions, and student-bonding activities. Peer Group agenda topics reflect issues faced by teens today. The PHS Ideas Center provides free tutoring services to all students in all academic areas, provided by university students, high school student peer tutors and highly qualified community volunteers. Our Dean of Students creates personal learning plans for students in need and to ease the transition of all students into high school, as well as helping students to cope with academic, social or personal needs. Princeton High School fields teams in 25 sports and sponsors award-winning student publications, acclaimed performing groups in vocal and instrumental music, math, Model United Nations, debating teams, and over 100 clubs devoted to specialized interests and over 40 Community Service groups. Princeton High School students are admitted to some of the country’s most competitive colleges. Approximately 85% of our graduates continue their education in four-year colleges and an additional 10% continue their education in a post-secondary setting. Honored by numerous national organizations for excellence, Princeton High School is often named one of America’s top 100 public high schools in national news publications. was 616; our mean Writing Score was 619; and our mean Math Score was 635; for a combined mean of 1,870. Princeton High School continues to be ranked as one of the top schools in the state. Princeton High School is committed to preparing our students for the challenges and demands of an exciting future. Through the increasing use of technological innovations, analyzing the use of instructional time, and nurturing a climate of professional dialogue, Princeton High School offers the best educational opportunities to its students. The population of Princeton High School reflects a wide diversity. Students in PHS represent all major racial and cultural groups (6.0% African American, 19% Asian, 8.0% Hispanic, 67.0% Caucasian); 15% of students claim one of 35 languages other than English as their first language. These languages range from Arabic to Urdu. This cultural richness has contributed to the maturity of the students’ acceptance of others. Our students have earned many honors. The class of 2012 included 20 National Merit Semi-Finalists and 44 Commended Scholars. Of the 532 PHS students who took the May 2012 Advanced Placement examinations, 255 received Advanced Placement Scholars Awards: 117 were Scholars with Distinction, 50 were Scholars with Honor, and 88 were Scholars. In addition, 26 Princeton High students qualified for the Advanced Placement National Scholar Award; 91 percent of the AP scores were three or higher from the 1,224 tests administered. Our students have been included in the highest SAT I groupings in the nation. Our 2012 mean Critical Reading Score 3 At a Glance Fast facts about Princeton High School Head Administrators Gary Snyder, Principal Jessica Baxter, Assistant Principal Harvey Highland, Assistant Principal Lori Rotz, Assistant Principal Student Enrollment Average class size Student/Faculty Ratio SAT Scores (Class of 2012) SAT Critical Mean Score Reading Princeton HS 616 State of NJ 495 National 496 National Merit Scholars Letters of Commendation Accelerated: Algebra II, Astronomy, Biology I, Chemistry I, Geometry, Oceanography, Physics I, Pre-Calculus, Sociology Others: Multivariant Calculus, Linear Algebra, World Languages Curriculum Enhancements English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education 1415 19.5 11.9 Extra-Curricular Activities Writing 619 499 488 Math 635 517 514 20 44 Curriculum English, Math, Science, American History, World History, World Languages, Physical Education/Health, Visual/Performing Arts, Practical Arts, Career Awareness Advanced Placement: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB/BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, English III, English IV, Environmental Science, European History, French, Government & Politics, Japanese, Macroeconomics, Mandarin, Microeconomics, Music Theory, Physics, Spanish, Statistics, United States History, World History 4 Clubs (a sampling): Anime, Art, Asian American, Badminton, Chess, Classical Music, Colmar Exchange, Creativity for Kindness, Food Revolution, French Cinema, French Honor Society, Gay Straight Alliance, HomeFront, Horticulture, Japanese, Junior Statesmen of America, Knitting for Needs, Latin, Mock Trial, Model United Nationals, Numina Gallery, Photography, PHS Bike, PHS Can Awareness, PHS Computer & Robotics, PHS Crew, PHS Do Something, PHS for Autism Speaks, PHS Futsal, PHS Operation Smile, PHS Ping Pong, PHS Red Cross, PHS True Blue, Princeton Democrat, UNICEF, Princeton Republican, Psychology, Science Olympiad, Space Settlement, Spanish, Spectacle Theatre, Spork, Film, The Ivy, The Prince, The Tower, Tiger Squad Fall Sports: Cheerleading, Boys/Girls Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Boys/Girls Soccer, Girls Tennis Winter Sports: Boys/Girls Basketball, Boys/Girls Ice Hockey, Boys/Girls Swimming, Boys/Girls Winter Track, Wrestling Spring Sports: Baseball, Softball, Golf, Boys/Girls Lacrosse, Boys/Girls Spring Track, Boys Tennis Lior Levy, Class of 2013 Lior Levy is the sort of person other students look up to both literally and figuratively -- he is both a student leader and a rather tall guy, somewhere in the range of six-foot-seven inches. Lior's height helps during basketball season when he plays for the Princeton High School team. He also enjoys all sorts of sports, some competitive, and others just for fun like the annual Corner House All-City Dodgeball Tournament which is held at PHS. "I've done the Dodgeball tournament every year and we've had the same team. It's great that every school in the Princeton area, public or private, can send teams. It's a lot of fun." Princeton High School's indoor soccer club, the PHS Futsal Club, is another way Lior stays active. "For me, since I've always been tall, they seem really short,” he laughs. “Everything is new to them. I remember that's how we were." Lior schedules his sports, fun and recreation around a rigorous academic schedule. "Princeton High is a great school. The academics can be challenging in a good way," he says. "The students are really accepting. And it is great we have a lot of diversity, we have all kinds of kids here." What's next? Lior looks forward to pursuing his interest in history as well as basketball in college. In addition to basketball and Peer Group and other activities, Lior has been particularly active in Derek's Dreams, an organization designed to increase awareness of Ataxia Telangiectasia and support Derek DiGrigorio, a local student diagnosed with the rare, genetic, degenerative disease. Derek's Dreams is a grassroots, community effort that has been going strong for several years thanks to committed students such as Lior. During his years at Princeton High, Lior has discovered an interest in history. "I took an AP World History course last year with Mr. Roberts that was excellent," says Lior. "For projects he had games to help us learn. And I also liked U.S. History I and II. This year, I am taking AP Government and Politics with Mr. Campbell, who worked in the Clinton White House, so he has a lot of insight into elections, which made this year particularly interesting." What is a typical day like for Lior? "During basketball season I practice every day until after five and if we have a game I don't get home until six or seven, so those days can be long," he says. But it is worth the time and effort. "With basketball, like with any sports team, you make great friends." Lior still has friends from his elementary school days but "I've made plenty of new friends at PHS," he says. Serving as a Peer Group Leader is one of Lior's leadership activities. The Peer Group program provides a Wednesday afternoon seminar for every PHS freshman, led by seniors, who are trained to help freshmen navigate the transition to high school. What strikes Lior about the new freshman? Wayne Sutcliffe, Physical Education Teacher "My job is to try to meet the needs and capabilities of every single student within my class,” says Wayne Sutcliffe. “Everyone comes in with a different background and different athletic abilities. So that's the challenge." It is a challenge Mr. Sutcliffe has been meeting for sixteen years. "Most of the time I get kids who are very focused and very high-achieving academically, and they bring that focus into their physical education classes.” “We have physical fitness/personal fitness. We have had classes in wellness, including yoga 5 and de-stressing. And last year we had a wellness week, which was a really big success," says Mr. Sutcliffe. “We incorporate wellness and the lifelong benefits physical activity brings into the traditional seasonal sports such as tennis, soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, floor hockey, ultimate Frisbee and softball, which are the major sports within the units we do.” In addition to teaching P.E. and health, Mr. Sutcliffe coaches boys' varsity soccer, and has led the team through many successful seasons. In 2012 Princeton High was a State Co-Champion. “Soccer is something pretty special in Princeton and Cranbury. We have had a lot of success,” he says. “And there are many reasons for that. The student support we get is really fantastic. It is a huge factor." "Players who are new to the district that have a background in the game are always welcomed,” he adds. Mr. Sutcliffe works to cultivate a balance between academics and soccer. “Over the years we have had such great student athletes,” he says. “Our guys are going on to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country.” Parent-Teacher Organization All parents of PHS students are members of the PTO. We appreciate active participation in any way possible, and hope to have the opportunity to meet and work with new and returning members during the upcoming year. In our experience, the more involved you are, the more you will understand and benefit from the PHS experience. The PTO has many missions, the foremost of which is to foster communications among parents, students, faculty, administration and school board 6 representatives. We encourage you to keep informed by attending both our formal monthly meetings, featuring a report by Principal Gary Snyder, and our informal coffees. Other PTO activities include assisting with new student/parent orientation, Back-toSchool Night, guidance events, and hosting alumni brunches, Faculty/Staff appreciation breakfast and luncheons, Post-Prom, and the senior awards dinner as well as many other events throughout the year. We welcome and need participation from all of our parents, even if you have only a few hours to share. Please let us know what time and talents you can volunteer by filling the "12 Ways to Get Involved" form out. We are a very active PTO. Finally, in a desire to avoid conflicts with student efforts, our PTO engages in very little traditional fundraising. We operate almost exclusively on our parents' contributions. We are a tax exempt 501 (c)3 organization, so every contribution you make is tax deductible and may be eligible for corporate matching from your employer. Princeton Public Schools Profile “Live to Learn, Learn to Live” is the motto inscribed above the doors to Princeton High School; it captures the essence of our values and beliefs throughout the PK-12 school system. As we strive each hour to serve approximately 3500 pupils from Princeton and Cranbury Township well, we do so knowing that the work in our classrooms, on our courts, fields and stages and in our offices matters deeply in the individual lives of each child. We are preparing students for a complex and challenging world in which they can be both successful and joyful. Our children have the benefit of exceptional curricula, the most talented teachers and a strong support base of resources, specialized facilities and community partners which tremendously influence their academic success. From pre-school through senior year, our learners are also well guided in their abilities to make good decisions, to serve their fellow human beings, and to contribute in meaningful ways to our society. “Live to Learn, Learn to Live” is not about numbers of credits or scores on standardized tests; it is about a lifelong gift that the Princeton Public Schools gives its pupils and alumni. That is what makes Princeton Public Schools one of our nation’s finest educational systems. It is a combination of high standards, great expectations, rigor, care and passion that creates the positive conditions for our learners’ successes. Our exceptional results can be measured statistically by state tests, by Advanced Placement exams, by reading and math benchmarks, by graduation rates, by college acceptances and by many other tools. By every indicator we are certainly a district of high performing students. It is our job to also be a high performing district in which our children can thrive. Analyses of our processes, patterns, and beliefs are just as important as test results and for that evaluation we turn to the Tri States Consortium of which we are a member. Asking peer districts to observe our work, to offer critical recommendations and to assist us in benchmarking standards for the 21st century is a strategy that is serving Princeton Public Schools well. Our Board adopted four key areas of focus as the foundation of the district’s strategic plan: We will have an expectation of professional excellence leading to the best possible outcome for every student. We will ensure that all students meet high standards of verbal and analytical competency, recognize their individual talents and potential for excellence, and are prepared socially, academically and physically to engage confidently in their future endeavors. We will have a communications system to inform and engage students, parents, families, residents, faculty, staff and community partners fostering a web of mutual trust, respect and action that supports an optimum environment for student achievement. Student learning will be enhanced using 21st century technological skills so that students will be better able to communicate with, collaborate with, and excel among their global peers; and students will be able to use technology in constructive and creative ways in a variety of situations. Our community, faculty, staff and Board will be diligent in making each goal a reality so that Princeton Public School’s children continue to thrive. Judith A. Wilson, Superintendent (609) 806-4220 www.princetonk12.org 7 Judith Wilson Superintendent Board of Education 2012-13 Daniel Haughton Martha Land Afsheen Shamsi Patrick Sullivan Evelyn Spann Lewis Goldstein Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Community Relations and Public Information Princeton High School Bonnie Lehet Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Timothy Quinn, President Andrea Spalla, Vice President Dorothy Bedford Molly Chrein Rebecca Cox Gary Snyder, Principal 151 Moore Street Princeton, NJ 08540 609.806.4280 609.806.4281 (fax) http://phs.princetonk12.org Stacey O’Neill – Editor Elizabeth Collier – Reporter Stephanie Kennedy Business Administrator Margaret Crisafulli Director of Student Services Assenka Oksiloff Communications Director