Joel Barlow High School
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Joel Barlow High School is a high school (grades 9-12) in Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut. The school serves Redding and Easton students.
The school is the sole institution in the Region 9 School District of Connecticut, made up of the towns of Redding and Easton, which each have their own public school systems for education up to the eighth grade. The Board of Education acts as its own Board of Finance, and although it reports to the boards of finance in both towns, they have no control over the school budget. Each year a referendum is held on the school budget and must be passed by a majority of voters in the two towns.[1]
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[edit] School and community
Twice recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and commended many times for academic excellence by the Connecticut State Department of Education, Connecticut Association of Schools, and the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Joel Barlow High School is distinguished for its ability to sustain high standards in a mutually respectful community. Serving the rural towns of Easton and Redding, both located in Connecticut’s Fairfield County, Joel Barlow enjoys intense community support from parents who are genuinely involved in the education of their children.
Of the ninety-eight faculty members, six have doctorates, forty-one 6th-year certificates, forty-five master’s degrees, and six bachelor’s degrees. Individual attention to student needs is a priority of the administration and staff. Each student’s course of study is planned individually in consultation with counselors, parents, and teachers. Although the vast majority of Joel Barlow graduates go on to college, the range of courses is designed to meet the needs of all students.
In 2006, Christopher Poulos, a Spanish Teacher, was elected the 2007 Connecticut Teacher of Year.
For the purpose of comparison with the achievement levels of similar schools, the state Department of Education classifies schools and communities in "District Reference Groups", defined as "districts whose students' families are similar in eduation, income, occupation and need, and that have roughly similar enrollment".[2] New Canaan is one of eight school districts in District Reference Group A (others are Darien, Easton, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton).[3]
[edit] Academic standards
Graduation Requirements: Students must accumulate 48 credits: 8 in English; 4 in fine/applied arts; 5 in health/physical education; 6 in history/social studies, including 2 in western civ, 2 in U.S. History and 1 in non-western studies; 6 in mathematics; 4 in science; and 15 electives from any area. A semester of computer technology and a junior writing portfolio are also required.
[edit] Course offerings
Health & Physical Education Honors Introduction to Medical Care with EMT certification. Full year Health/PE in Grade 9, semester Health in Grade 10, and semester Health/PE in Grades 11, 12. Elective courses in Dynamics of Sport, Lifetime Sports and Activities, Sports Forms.
Humanities
English: AP Language and Composition in Grade 11; AP Literature and Composition in Grade 12. English I, II, III, IV required. There are additional electives for juniors and seniors.
World Languages: AP Spanish Language, and AP French Language with University of Connecticut Co-op credit. Advanced section in French IV. Honors sections in French V, Spanish V, and Latin III, IV, V.
Fine Arts: AP Studio Art (drawing or design portfolios). Elective courses in art, music, theater.
History/Social Studies: AP U.S. History in Grade 11. Honors courses in Anthropology, and Madman as Hero.
Interdisciplinary/Independent Study Senior project elective (CAPstone). Elective courses in Advanced Verbal Skills, College Reading, College Writing, Connections (Community Service), History and Technology of Great Architecture, Strategies in Learning. Magnet and regional programs in Asian studies, aquaculture, fine and performing arts. Opportunities for distance learning and independent study, with guidelines for approval and final performance.
Math: AP Calculus (BC) with University of Connecticut Co-op credit; AP Statistics. Honors sections in Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calculus. Advanced and college preparatory sequence from Algebra I through Calculus. Elective courses in mathematical problem solving.
Science: AP Biology, with University of Connecticut Co-op credit, AP Chemistry. Honors sections in Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Laboratory experience in all courses including Applied Chemistry and Physics, Earth Science, Forensics, and Environmental Biology.
Technology Education: Elective courses in CISCO, CADCAM, two and three dimensional Computer Drawing, Computer Programming, Electronics and Video, Engineering, Flight Technology, Imaging, Web Page Design.
Business: Elective courses in Accounting, Business Law, Computer Applications, Desktop Publishing, Entrepreneurship.
Special Education There are specialized instruction in all academic areas through the Alternative Learning Program (ALPS). Courses in English Skills, Reading, Resource (Transition and Application), Math Skills. Collaborative teaching in all major subject areas. Transition planning for all students.
[edit] Theater
The school performs a musical in the fall and a play during the winter. The recent musicals include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease, and The Music Man.
Every year, the senior class puts on a production that is open to everyone. It is a chance for the senior class to come together for one last time and work cooperatively with each other to put on a play. There is a different theme each year.
[edit] Notes
- ^ [1]Caldwell, Maggie, "Region 9 budget: Redding sees 6.66% increase / Capital items will be dealt with separately", news article in The Redding Pilot, March 22, 2007, accessed March 28, 2007
- ^ [2] state "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006" for Wilton High School, accessed March 25, 2007
- ^ [3]Web page titled "Find a Community: By Educational Reference Group (DRG)" at the "Discovery 2007 / An initiative of the William Caspar Graustein Fund" Web site, accessed March 25, 2007
[edit] External links
- Joel Barlow High School Website
- [4] Joel Barlow High School "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006", Connecticut Department of Education
- [5] Joel Barlow High School Web page at Great Schools Web site
