Germantown Academy Profile

SCHOOL PROFILE 2013-2014

MISSION Germantown Academy inspires students to be independent in thought, confident in expression, compassionate in spirit, collaborative in action, and honorable in deed.

SCHOOL

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY FOUNDED 1759 HEAD OF SCHOOL JAMES W. CONNOR ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL RICHARD SCHELLHAS

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COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

Karen A. Mason karen.mason@germantownacademy.org

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

Susan Merrill susan.merrill@germantownacademy.org

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

Kendra Grinnage kendra.grinnage@germantownacademy.org

COLLEGE COUNSELORS

Anthony N. B. Garvan 1760 anthony.garvan@germantownacademy.org

Peter Drewniany peter.drewniany@germantownacademy.org

ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR

Virginia (Ginny) Allenson virginia.allenson@germantownacademy.org

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY

P.O. Box 287 340 Morris Road Fort Washington, PA 19034-0287 Phone: 267.405.7254 Fax: 267.405.7254 CEEB CODE-393321

www.germantownacademy.net

• Founded in 1759, Germantown Academy is a Pre-k through 12th grade nonsectarian co-educational independent day school located in Fort Washington, PA. • The 2011-12 school year marked the opening of new Upper and Middle School academic facilities along with new athletic fields and a nature preserve.

• Total Upper School enrollment is 509 (senior class of 123) with students from communities in 4 counties and 21% students of color.

• 34% of GA Upper School students receive financial aid.

• GA is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools.

• GA holds memberships in NAIS, College Board, NACAC, and PACAC and complies with the NACAC “Statement of Principles of Good Practice.”

• Typically, 100% of each graduating class attends a four-year college.

FACULTY • Among the 60 Upper School Faculty, 42 have advanced degrees with 6 holding the highest degree in their field.

• Standard teaching load includes four classes and extracurricular activities.

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS • As a rigorous independent school, students must carry at least 5 credits in grades 10-12 and 6 credits in grade 9 (5 ½ if the half credit is a performing arts course).

• All courses are college preparatory; major courses meet six out of seven days per rotation.

• Minimum graduation requirements include 20 credits as delineated below plus 5 semesters of Physical Education: Language 3 Credits History 3 Credits English 4 Credits Electives 2 ½ Credits Science 3 Credits Math 3 Credits 1 Credit Arts Health ½ Credit • Other non-academic graduation requirements include a Senior Project, 2 significant extracurricular activities per year, and 15 hours of service-related activity per year either on or off campus.

• High Honors distinction requires 4 major course grades in the A range and all grades of B or better while Honors distinction requires 3 major course grades of B+ or above and all grades of B or better. Honors and High Honors are calculated for the first semester and final grade (including exams).

• The Cum Laude Society recognizes up to ten percent of juniors for academic excellence at the beginning of their senior year based on GPA calculation and a faculty selection committee.

GRADING SYSTEM • Germantown Academy includes all courses in which homework and outside work are typically required in its calculation of students’ weighted grade point averages.

• All Honors and Advanced Placement courses receive 1 GPA point of weighting:

Letter Grade A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD DF

Non Honors/ Non AP 4.33 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.67 1.00 0.67 0.00

Honors/AP 5.33 5.00 4.67 4.33 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.00 1.67 0.00

• The lowest passing grade is a D-.

• Germantown Academy does not rank its students or select a Valedictorian.

SCHOOL PROFILE 2013-2014 CURRICULUM NOTES ENGLISH Gathered around a Harkness table, juniors and seniors participate in semester-long, thematic electives requiring a high level of discourse, student independence, and extensive analytical writing that prepares any student to sit for either AP English exam. Largely comprised of seniors with limited seat availability for highly talented juniors, AP designated electives carry elevated expectation in terms of students’ literary sophistication, contribution to discussion, and volume of reading and writing.

HISTORY All GA students complete two years of World History, with the first year focusing on the French, Industrial, and Russian Revolutions and the second on the Chinese and Middle East Revolutions, and one year of American History. Employing the Harkness method, the History Department also offers thematic history electives and Advanced Placement courses.

MATHEMATICS While the mathematics curriculum provides students with a foundation in topics from Algebra through BC Calculus, each math course utilizes supplemental material to provide students with in-depth knowledge of topics not covered in traditional textbook-driven math courses. Trained in the latest technology, GA’s math teachers use dynamic geometry and statistics software and the TI-Nspire, equipped with a Computer Algebra System (CAS). The CAS calculators allow students to approach problems graphically, numerically, and algebraically; it also makes real-world application problems accessible to students at all levels of mathematics. Students annually place in national math competitions.

MODERN LANGUAGES GA French and Spanish students consistently achieve recognition for their performance on the National French and Spanish Contests. In 2013, members of the Class of 2014 earned 17 medals at these national contests. First place honors at regional oral proficiency competitions have distinguished the program for years. In partnership with a school in China and the Chinese Government, GA created a Confucius Classroom in 2011 for the study of Chinese language and culture and to encourage student and teacher exchanges.

SCIENCES In 1978, GA initiated one of the inaugural Physics first science curriculums in an honors science track. By 1990, the Physics first approach became the hallmark of the science curriculum with all students completing one year of Physics in 9th grade followed by a year of both Chemistry and Biology. All courses emphasize extensive lab work in state-of-the art facilities. Multiple tracks in each discipline provide appropriate challenges to a range of students. Typically, students in the most advanced track complete Honors courses in Physics, Biology, and Chemistry, which serve as prerequisites for entry into Advanced Placement Science courses. Both Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors require an independent project of all students.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ACADEMY SCHOLARS PROGRAM Students with a passion for scholarship, creative writing, visual or performing arts, or research have the option of engaging in a multi-year independent project that results in a substantial piece of original work submitted and presented to the Academy Scholars Committee.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Partnerships with North London Collegiate School in England; the High School Attached to Capital Normal University (HSCNU) in Beijing, China; Jin Cai High School in Shanghai, China; and the First High School of Krakow, Poland, provide students and faculty with reciprocal cultural and educational exchange opportunities. In addition, GA provides curricular guidance and college counseling as part of the Curriculum Partnership Program with the High School attached to Capital Normal University.

THE PRESERVE AND NATURE CURRICULUM Committed to environmental education and stewardship, GA restored six acres surrounding the Wissahickon Creek to wetlands and meadow and designed Middle and Upper School buildings with a green roof, courtyard gardens, and an apiary. Hands-on learning opportunities abound for students in the sciences and arts. A cadre of students receive training to serve as Green Ambassadors, providing tours to the community highlighting the vast resources of the Preserve.

SCIENCE RESEARCH AND/OR PROJECT Fox Chase Cancer Center and local research universities host GA students interested in conducting sophisticated science research. Working alongside professional researchers after school and/or throughout the summer prepares students for competitions, such as the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Competition, the Montgomery County Science Research Competition, the Delaware Valley Science Fair, the Pennsylvania Humanities and Science Symposium, and the Westinghouse-Siemens and/or the Intel Science Talent Search. GA students have garnered numerous honors at these competitions and present their work to the school community at an annual symposium.

SCHOOL PROFILE 2013-2014 SENIOR PROJECT During the last three weeks of senior year, students explore an occupation, a foreign land, or a volunteer opportunity at a non-profit to broaden their GA education. Upon completing their projects, seniors return to campus to share their experiences with faculty and members of the junior class, inspiring discussion and forging new connections to the community.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES • • • •

GA offers 15 AP courses with limited seat availability.

Admission to AP courses requires departmental invitation and typically an entrance exam.

Completing the AP exam is required to receive the AP designation on the transcript.

GA students occasionally sit for an AP exam without completing the course.

AP COURSE OFFERINGS (WITH TYPICAL YEAR OF COMPLETION IN PARENTHESIS) AP Biology (12th) AP Calculus AB (12th) AP Calculus BC (12th) AP Chemistry (12th) AP English Language (11th) AP English Literature (12th)

AP French Language and Culture (12th) AP Modern European History (12th) AP Physics B (12th) AP Physics C (11th or 12th) AP Spanish Language (11th or 12th) AP Spanish Literature (11th or 12th)

AP Statistics (11th or 12th) AP US History (11th) AP World History (10th)

HONORS COURSES GA offers 20 academic Honors courses with limited seating along with honors opportunities in both performing and visual arts.

HONORS COURSE OFFERINGS Algebra 2 Honors Biology 1 Honors Chemistry 1 Honors Economics Honors French (2-4 Honors)

Geometry Honors Latin (2-5) Honors Multivariable Calculus Precalculus Honors/Differential Calculus Physics 1 Honors

Psychology Honors Spanish (2-4) Honors The Mongols Honors Women in American History Honors

PERFORMING ARTS HONORS COURSE OFFERINGS Academy Strings Orchestra Honors Academy Symphonic Band Honors Advanced Technical Theater Honors

Audition and Performance Honors Chamber Ensemble Honors Singing Patriots Select Honors

Theater Production Honors

VISUAL ARTS HONORS COURSE OFFERINGS All visual arts tracks (drawing and painting, sculpture, silver photography, printmaking, digital design and filmmaking, studio recording, songwriting) are available at Honors level upon approval of the department. Honors students must complete a track in the visual arts for a minimum of three years, create a portfolio, attend two yearly critiques, attend visiting artist lectures, and exhibit their work.

ACADEMIC PROFILE FOR THE CLASS OF 2014 Weighted Cumulative GPA Distribution for the Class of 2014 41

30

28

29

25 Number of Returning Students 123

21

20 15 10 5 0

4 2.0-2.49

2.5-2.99

3.0-3.49

3.5-3.99

4.0 & Above

SCHOOL PROFILE 2013-2014 ADVANCED PLACEMENT In total, 178 GA students completed 382 exams in 2013 with 91% earning a 3 or higher. The Class of 2014 had 50 members complete 109 AP Exams (in 2013) with 99% earning a 3 or higher.

Class of 2014 AP Results (includes tests taken in 2011, 2012 and 2013) Test Takers Test 5 4 3 (includes all scores) Calculus AB 6 1 1 8 Calculus BC 4 0 0 4 English Language 14 8 2 24 Music Theory 1 1 0 2 Physics C (E&M) 1 1 0 2 Physics C (Mechanics) 2 0 0 2 Spanish Language 5 1 0 6 Spanish Literature 1 0 0 1 Statistics 5 5 1 11 US History 14 12 2 29 World History 7 6 7 20 Total Number 60 35 13 109

AP Scholar National AP Awards Scholar Class of 2013 11 Class of 2014 0

AP Scholar with Distinction 35 5

SAT Subject Test Scores - Class of 2014 Section Middle 50% Students Tested Biology - Ecology 550 - 740 3 Biology - Molecular 640 - 730 19 Chemistry 580 - 700 28 English Literature 550 - 670 9 French 650 - 760 3 Math Level I 610 - 710 12 Math Level II 630 - 780 15 Physics 640 - 760 8 Spanish 710 - 760 3 U.S. History 610 - 730 12 World History 710 - 760 11

AP Scholar with Honors 10 3

AP Scholars 12 8

ACT Scores - Class of 2014 Middle 50% Composite

24 - 29

Total 68 16

Students Tested 42

National Merit Scholarship Program - Class of 2014 Commended Students 11 Semi-Finalists 7 SAT Scores - Class of 2014 Section Middle 50% Critical Reading 570 - 690 Math 580 - 680 Writing 580 - 720 Total 1760 - 2060

Students Tested

110

SCHOOL PROFILE 2013-2014 The course grade distribution includes all major courses offered in 2012-2013 school year in which the members of the Class of 2014 were enrolled.

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SCHOOL PROFILE 2013-2014

COLLEGE MATRICULATION, 2009-2013 The 593 members of the Germantown Academy Classes of 2009 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2013 elected to attend 181 different colleges and universities. Multiple matriculations are noted in parentheses.

American University (5) Amherst College Appalachian State University Arcadia University Arizona State University Babson College Babson College Bard College (2) Baylor University Boston College (2) Boston Conservatory Boston University (7) Bowdoin College Brown University (5) Bryn Mawr College (2) Bucknell University (13) Bucks County Community College Carleton College (2) Carnegie Mellon University (9) Case Western Reserve University (2) Chapman University Colgate University (5) College of Charleston (2) College of the Holy Cross College of William and Mary Columbia University (5) Connecticut College Cornell University Dartmouth College (3) Davidson College (2) Delaware State University Denison University DePaul University Dickinson College (10) Drexel University (17) Duke University (2) Duquesne University Elizabethtown College Elon University (9) Emerson College Emory University (3) Fairfield University (4) Florida Atlantic University Fordham University (5) Franklin and Marshall College (12) Georgetown University (4) Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College (7) Golf Academy of the Carolinas Goucher College (2) Hamilton College (4) Harvard College (10) Harvey Mudd College Haverford College (5) High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Howard University IMG Baseball Academy Indiana University at Bloomington (7) Iona College Ithaca College (4) James Madison University (3)

Johns Hopkins University (13) Kenyon College La Salle University (3) Lafayette College (4) Lebanon Valley College Lehigh University (16) Lewis & Clark College Louisiana State University Loyola University Maryland (3) Loyola University New Orleans (2) Lycoming College Marist College Maryland Institute College of Art Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2) McGill University (2) Middlebury College (2) Morehead State University Morehouse College Mount Holyoke College Muhlenberg College (2) New York University (13) Northeastern University (4) Oberlin College Parsons: The New School for Design Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College (4) University Park (16) Philadelphia University (2) Pratt Institute Princeton University (5) Purdue University (4) Quinnipiac University (6) Rhode Island School of Design Rhodes College (2) Rice University Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College Roosevelt University Saint Joseph's University (6) Saint Mary's College Salisbury University (2) Salve Regina University San Diego State University Savannah College of Art and Design Sewanee: The University of the South Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Southern Methodist University (3) Southwestern University Stanford University Stony Brook University Susquehanna University (3) Swarthmore College (3) Syracuse University (11) The American Musical and Dramatic Academy The Catholic University of America The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina The College of Wooster The George Washington University (11) The New School for Social Research The University of Alabama The University of Georgia The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (5)

The University of Scranton (2) The University of Tampa (2) The University of Texas, Austin (2) Trinity College, CT Tufts University (3) Tulane University (9) Union College (3) United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy (3) University of California at Berkeley (2) University of Chicago (3) University of Colorado at Boulder (2) University of Connecticut University of Delaware (15) University of Denver (2) University of Florida (2) University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Mary Washington University of Maryland, College Park (5) University of Miami (6) University of Michigan (4) University of Nebraska at Lincoln University of New Haven University of North Carolina at Wilmington University of North Florida University of Notre Dame (2) University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania (14) University of Pittsburgh (20) University of Pittsburgh at Bradford University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown University of Redlands University of Rhode Island University of Richmond (16) University of South Carolina (2) University of South Carolina Upstate University of Southern California (3) University of St. Andrews, Scotland University of Toronto University of Virginia (3) University of Washington Ursinus College (6) Vanderbilt University (2) Villanova University (6) Virginia Military Institute Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wagner College (2) Wake Forest University (9) Washington and Jefferson College Washington and Lee University (3) Washington College (5) Washington University in St. Louis (7) Wellesley College Wesleyan University (4) Wofford College Yale University (2) York College of Pennsylvania (3) GAP Year (3)