SEMESTER IN REVIEW
As we look forward to a new school year, we want to take one more look at some of the outstanding accomplishments that marked the second semester of 2010–2011.
The Seven Hills School
august 2011
Ready for a great 2011–2012 Celebrating outstanding achievement Members of the Class of 2011netted $4,856,950 in merit scholarships for college or more than $179,227 per recipient. All of Seven Hills’ 11 semifinalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program—16% of the senior class—qualified as finalists. This continues a tradition for Seven Hills of having top percentages of semifinalists in the senior class among Greater Cincinnati schools. Of these finalists, two graduates won National Merit® $2500 Scholarships, one graduate won a National Achievement® $2500 Scholarship, and five won college-sponsored Merit Scholarship® awards. Twenty-four of the 60 members of the Class of 2012—or 40% of the class—will earn National Merit recognition in 2011-2012! The students qualified for recognition with their scores on the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and by meeting the requirements of the program. Of the 221 Advanced Placement exams in 16 subject areas taken in May by 107 students, 93% of the scores earned were 3’s or better on the 1-5 national scale, qualifying our students for advanced standing in college. They scored an average of 4.2 (“Well Qualified”).
Twelve members of the Class of 2012—22% of the 55 who took SATs as juniors—have scored to date at least one perfect 800 on one of the three sections of the SAT or on one SAT Subject Test, including one student who scored a perfect 2400 and one who earned six 800s.
The Seven Hills Method As part of an ongoing effort to ensure that a Seven Hills education continues to prepare students for success in a complex global community, the Seven Hills faculty collaborated in Fall, 2009, on drafting a Portrait of a Graduate. The Portrait identifies the skills and the habits
As of June, 55 rising seniors had these SAT results: Middle 50% of SAT Scores: Combined = 1750-2260 Critical Reading 590-750 Math 570-760 Writing 590-750
of mind we are seeking to foster in our students and ensures that we
On the SAT Subject Tests taken in June, our students’ average score on the 200-800 scale was 722. SAT Subject Tests Average Score Math I 689 Math II 722 Chemistry 760 Environmental Biology 785 Molecular Biology 763 Physics 650 Literature 714 U.S. History 722 World History 703 French 698 Spanish 730 Latin 750 Chinese 740
Seven Hills Method, which defines for each department what skills we
Of the 18 rising seniors who took the SAT Chemistry Subject Test, the average score was 760 and there were five 800’s. Three others had 800’s in environmental biology, molecular biology, and physics. On the ACT, there were five perfect 36’s in science. In short, in this class of 60 students, 12 (20%) had a perfect science score on one of the SAT or ACT sections or on an SAT Subject Test.
We design opportunities for meaningful collaboration.
employ instructional techniques which best design curriculum and foster these 21st century skills. Throughout 2010-2011, the faculty collaborated on developing the hope to produce and delineates the pedagogical methods most conducive to those results. The following are the main points of the Seven Hills Method. Examples of the Method in practice can be seen on page 2 in the curricular units that were funded by summer 2011 teacher grants. We pose engaging questions that foster students’ passion for learning. We focus on content that engages students in compelling global issues. We design complex tasks that build logic, critical thinking and problem solving skills. We structure learning activities that require creativity, independent thought and innovation.
We craft opportunities for skilled and confident communication in a variety of media. We emphasize the use of technological tools for research, analysis, and communication.