march 2006 (VOL. 12, NO. 6)
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Harker Leads World in Two AP Categories
New classroom technologies implemented in LS ............. 9 Student delegation from Shanghai visits MS ........... 10 Harker dancers outstanding in “Branching Out” ........... 13 Tamagawa students experience US life ............ 14
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For the second year in a row, Harker was recognized for having the world’s strongest AP program in two subjects.
istry and AP Computer Science. This is the first year that Harker was recognized as the leader in AP Calculus.
The Harker School ranked No. 1 worldwide in AP Chemistry and AP Calculus AB among schools its size (300 - 799 students enrolled in grades 10 to 12), according The College Board’s second-annual “Advanced Placement Report to the Nation.” The rankings are based on the number of students who scored 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) on the AP exam as a percentage of the total student population. They highlight schools that provide both wide access to AP classes as well as strong performance on the exam - in other words, schools where a large number of students are well-prepared in these college-level classes. Last year Harker was cited as best in the world in AP Chem-
“Most schools that have AP will have the AP Calculus exam, so this is really a testament to the depth of our program,” explained Academic Dean Heather Blair. “(At Harker) AP Calculus isn’t a culminating experience for seniors so much as a step on the road. Of the kids who took the exam, 63 were freshmen, sophomores or juniors and only 26 were seniors.” Of the 89 Harker students who took the AP Calculus AB exam, 70 – or a whopping 79 percent – earned a top score of 5, compared with an average of just 21 percent worldwide. According to the report, “Students who take AP math and science
courses in high school are much more likely than other students to continue a course of study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics than students who do not take such courses in high school.”
This is the first year that Harker was recognized as the leader in AP Calculus. “I’m really proud of our students and faculty for this amazing achievement,” said Chris Nikoloff, head of school. “Continued interest and competence in math and the sciences is vital, and I look forward to the contributions our students will make in these areas in years to come.”
City of San Jose Commends Harker Students and Staff
Fairmont Hotel - San Jose Friday, March 3, 2006 Luncheon & Fashion Show 11 a.m. - $85 Dinner Gala with Fashion Show, Live Auction & Dancing 5:30 p.m. - $175
The Harker School received multiple commendations at a January meeting of the San Jose City Council. First, the Harker student body was commended for its outstanding philanthropic work, and Ashley Yang, Gr. 11, accepted the commendation on behalf of the student body. Students’ charitable efforts from the past year included: the “Adopt-a-Tent, Save-a-Life” fundraiser, which raised more than $12,000 to help house victims of the earthquake in South Asia; more than $10,000 raised for the American Red Cross and UNICEF to aid victims of Continued on pg. 6
Harker News — March 06
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