Highland School Profile

HIGHLAND SCHOOL PROFILE 2014/2015 CEEB CODE: 472-311

HIGHLAND SCHOOL MISSION To provide a demanding academic a co-curricular program that develops the skills and character essential for students to meet the challenges of college and leadership in the twenty-first century.

THE SCHOOL Highland School is an independent, PK-Grade 12, coeducational day school. Founded in 1928 for K-8, in 1993 the School added Pre-Kindergarten, in 1996 the School added 9-12, and in 2008 the School added Pre-Kindergarten for three year olds. Today, Highland serves 478 students with an Upper School (Grades 9-12) enrollment of 224 which includes 23 international students. The class of 2015 contains 44 students; all are college-bound.

Highland School is located in Warrenton, Virginia on a scenic 42-acre campus, with a school complex of 145,000 square feet.

Highland School draws students from Fauquier County and nine other neighboring counties. The 38 Upper School faculty and administrators teach classes ranging in size from one to 18 with an average class size of 11. Sixty-one percent hold advanced degrees.

ACCREDITATION Highland School is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. In addition, it holds memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of College Admission Counseling, the College Board, the Educational Records Bureau, the Secondary School Admission Test Board, Piedmont Admission Group, Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County, Latino Student Fund, Emerging Scholars Program and the School Scholarship Service.

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION & SERVICE LEARNING Highland School embraces the belief that traditional classroom learning must function in partnership with innovative methodologies designed to nurture the entire student. Through experiential education programs, including field studies, service learning, hands-on projects, trips, internships and activity days, Highland strives to enhance learning, promote character and leadership development, and build connections within and beyond the school community.

ATHLETICS Highland fields 20 varsity teams and four junior varsity teams in Division I in the Delaney Athletic Conference. In 2013/2014, 13 varsity teams participated in the State Tournament, one of our teams was

a State Champion, eleven teams won their Conference Championship and six of our coaches were named Conference Coach of the Year.

Seven of the Class of 2014 have gone on to play Division I, II or III athletics. Fifty-nine players were named All-Conference, eight were named Conference MVP, 11 were named to the All-State Team, and one was named State Player of the Year. Though there is not an annual sports requirement, over 81% of our students participate in our athletic program.

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM The school year is divided into two semesters of approximately 18 weeks. Academic classes meet 215 minutes per week. Students enroll in both semester and year-long courses. All students are expected to take a minimum of six credits per year. Students in AP Sciences may carry 5.5 credits due to the additional lab period requirements.

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM n

In 2011, four students were named Commended students and one was named a National Merit Semi-finalist.

n

In 2012, two students were named Commended students, two were named National Merit Semi-finalists, one was recognized as a National Achievement Program Outstanding Participant and one student qualified as a National Hispanic Scholar.

n In 2013, one student was named a Commended student, one

was named a National Merit Semi-finalist and one was named

a National Achievement Program Outstanding Participant. n In 2014, two students were named Commended students

and one was named a National Merit Semi-finalist.

VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL AND VASTS PROGRAM Seven students in the Class of 2012 attended Virginia Governor’s School/STARTALK Programs: one in Math, Science and Technology; one in Humanities; one in Agriculture; one in Arabic; one in Chinese; one in Latin and one in Russian.

H I GH L A N D S C H O O L 597 Broadview Avenue, Warrenton, VA 20186 | Phone: (540) 878-2700 | Fax: (540) 878-2731

www.highlandschool.org

Nine students in the Class of 2013 attended Virginia Governor’s School/STARTALK Programs: one in Math, Science and Technology; one in Humanities; one in Agriculture; one in Arabic; one in Chinese; one in Japanese; one in Latin; one in Portuguese and one in Russian.

One student participated in the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology (VASTS) Program.

offered. One student participated in the VASTS program.

Four students in the Class of 2014 attended Virginia Governor’s School; one in Math, Science & Technology; one in Humanities; one in Agriculture; and one in Japanese. STARTALK Programs were not

In 2014, 21 students were recognized. Seven students were recognized as Scholars, seven as Scholars With Honor, and seven as Scholars With Distinction.

Three students in the Class of 2015 attended Virginia Governor’s School; one in Math, Science &Technology; one in Humanities; and one in Agriculture. Two students participated in the VASTS program.

AP SCHOLARS

GRADING AND RANKING Highland School does not rank. There are 44 students in the Class of 2015. Cumulative Grade Point Average includes six semesters for Grades 9 through 11. Physical Education and Wellness are not included in our CGPA. Advanced placement courses receive an additional point and honors classes an additional half point. A+ is only given in courses with final exams.

A+ = 4.3

97-100

B+ = 3.3

87-89

C+ = 2.3

77-79

D += 1.3

67-69

A = 4.0

94-96

B = 3.0

84-86

C = 2.0

74-76

D = 1.0

65-66

A- = 3.7

90-93

B- = 2.7

80-83

C- = 1.7

70-73

F = 0.0

0-64

GRADE DISTRIBUTION - CLASS OF 2015 A+

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

4.3

4.0

3.7

3.3

3.0

2.7

2.3

2.0

4

MEAN GPA = 3.53

13

15

7

1

3

0

Results are based on grades from the Junior year.

SAT REASONING TEST - CLASS OF 2015 Results are based on testing in the Junior year and includes foreign exchange students.

Class Mean: 565 CR 560 M 573 W Top 40% of Class: 617 CR 603 M 638 W

ACT TEST - CLASS OF 2015 Class Mean:

26

Top 40% of Class:

29

HONORS COURSES OFFERED IN 2014/2015 Honors Algebra – Elementary Functions Honors Biology Honors Chemistry

Honors English I Honors English II Honors English III Honors English IV

Honors Geometry Honors Pre-Calculus Honors Latin IV Honors Spanish II

Honors Spanish III Honors World History I

ADVANCED PLACEMENT DATA FOR 2014 The competitive AP selection process for AP courses began in Fall 2006, and all are required to sit for the Advanced Placement Examination.

All AP courses passed the AP Audit. Not all AP courses are offered every year. In 2014, 75 students took 131 exams, 41% of the scores were 4’s or 5’s, and 67% of the scores were 3’s or better.

TOTAL NUMBER OF AP’S TAKEN BY INDIVIDUALS IN THE CLASS OF 2015 Overall AP Participation: 7-9

4

Highest # of AP’s

9

5-6

8

Percentage Taking AP’s

82%

3-4

14

Mean Number of AP’s

4.1

1-2

10

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES OFFERED IN 2014/2015 AP English Language Composition AP English Literature and Composition AP Environmental Science (Online) AP European History AP Physics CM AP Spanish Language

AP 3D Design AP Biology AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Chemistry AP Drawing

AP Spanish Literature AP Statistics AP United States History AP World History

MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Graduation from Highland requires the successful completion of a minimum of 23 academic credits. A credit is the equivalent of a full year of study in a course; semester courses are half a credit. Minimum graduation requirements: English Social Studies Foreign Language Mathematics Science Electives

4 Credits (4 year-long English classes) 3.5 Credits (must include US History & Government) 2 Credits (at least through third year of a language) 3 Credits (at least through Algebra II & Geometry) 3 Credits (must include Chemistry) 7.5 Credits (including Fine Arts & Computer Science; must include Technology in the 21st Century or electronic portfolio)

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Students in Grades 9-11 are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of approved community service each year. The Junior Internship allows students to explore and clarify potential career interests, discover the skills and education that are essential for success, and develop maturity and responsibility. This experience will allow them to refine their interests before choosing their three week-long Senior Project.

The Senior Project allows students to experience a meaningful closure to their Upper School years. During the last three weeks of school, seniors are given the opportunity to explore a career, academic, or service interest by developing an internship or pursuing an independent project. Projects culminate in an evaluation by the sponsor and a presentation to Highland students and faculty.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES *denotes semester courses ENGLISH | English I, Honors English I, English II, Honors English II, English III, Honors English III, English IV, Honors English IV,

AP English Language, AP English Literature, *Independent Study, *Speech, *Creative Writing, *Reading/Writing Lab, and *International Lab

SOCIAL SCIENCES | World History I, Honors World History I, World History II, United States History, AP US History, *Government, AP European History, AP World History, *Economics, and *Independent Study

SCIENCES | Environmental Science, Biology, Honors Biology, Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, Physics, AP Physics CM, *Independent Study, *Human Biology, *Marine Biology, and *Robotics Systems

MATHEMATICS | Algebra I, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Algebra and Elementary Functions, *Algebra III, *Statistics, *Discrete Math, Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, Differential Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC

CLASSICAL LANGUAGES | Latin I, II, III, IV, Honors IV, and Latin V, *Classical Mythology: Gods, and *Classical Mythology: Heroes WORLD LANGUAGE AND CULTURE | French I, II, III, IV, Spanish I, II, Honors II, III, Honors III, IV, AP Spanish Language, and AP Spanish Literature

COMPUTER SCIENCE | *Technology in the 21st Century, *CAD1: Architecture 1, *CAD2: Architecture 2, *CAD: Architecture 3, and *Independent Study

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS | *Introduction to 2D Art, *Introduction to 2D Design, *Introduction to 3D Art, Art II, *Ceramics I,

*Ceramics II, Ceramics III, AP Drawing, AP 3D Design, *Independent Study, *Beginning Filmmaking, Yearbook, *String Ensemble, *Theater Tech, *Sound Tech, , *Chorus, *Beginning Guitar, Intermediate Guitar, Guitar Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble

OTHER CLASSES | *Leadership, *Sports Marketing, Freshman Wellness, Senior Seminar, and *Social Justice

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES 2009-2014 *denotes matriculation American University of Bulgaria Auburn University* Babson College Bard College* Baylor University* Boston College Boston University* Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brown University* Bryn Mawr College* Bucknell University Carnegie Mellon University* Case Western University Catholic University Christopher Newport University* Clemson University* Coastal Carolina University* Colby College Colgate University* College of Charleston* College of William and Mary* Colorado College Columbia University* Cornell University* Dartmouth College* Davidson College Denison University* DePauw University Dickinson College Duke University* East Carolina University* Eckerd College Elon University* Emerson College* Emory and Henry College* Emory University Fairfield University* Flagler College* Florida Institute of Technology Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College* Furman University* George Mason University*

George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College* Goucher College Hamilton College Hampden-Sydney College* Hampshire College* Haverford College High Point University* Hofstra University* Hollins University Indiana University, Bloomington* James Madison University* Johns Hopkins University* Kenyon College Lafayette College Lehigh University* Liberty University Longwood University* Loyola University* McGill University* Michigan State University Middlebury College* Millsaps College Mount Holyoke College* New York University Northwestern University Oberlin College* Ohio State University* Old Dominion University* Penn State-University Park* Pitzer College* Princeton University* Quest University Radford University* Randolph-Macon College* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Roanoke College* Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology* Savannah College of Art & Design* Sewanee: The University of the South* Shenandoah University* Shepherd University

Stanford University* Swarthmore College* Sweet Briar College* Syracuse University* Tufts University Tulane University United States Air Force Academy* United States Merchant Marine Academy* University of Alabama* University of California, Santa Barbara* University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles* University of Chicago University of Connecticut* University of Edinburgh (Scotland)* University of Georgia* University of Mary Washington* University of Massachusetts Amherst* University of Mississippi* University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill* University of Pittsburgh* University of Richmond* University of South Carolina* University of Southern California* University of St. Andrews (Scotland)* University of Tampa* University of Virginia* University of Vermont* University of Wisconsin-Madison* Ursinus College* Vanderbilt University* Villanova University Virginia Commonwealth University* Virginia Tech* Wake Forest University Washington College* Washington and Lee University* Wellesley College* West Virginia University* Wofford College* Worcester Polytechnic Institute* Yale University*

CONTACT HIGHLAND SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Henry D. Berg hberg@highlandschool.org

UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR (540) 878-2700

Cassin Bertke cbertke@highlandschool.org (540) 878-2702

DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

REGISTRAR

Renee S. Norden, M.Ed. rnorden@highlandschool.org (540) 878-2726

Wendy A. Safren wsafren@highlandschool.org (540) 878-2720