Edgewood High School (Edgewood, Maryland)

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Edgewood High School
Location
2415 Willoughby Beach Road Edgewood, Maryland, United States
Information
School district	Harford County Public Schools
Principal	Larissa L. Santos
Asst. Principal	Elizabeth Lane-Stevens Robert M. Limpert Mark C. Truszkowski
Faculty	120
Type	Public Secondary
Grades	9 through 12
Mascot	Rams
Color(s)	Red, White, and Black
Established	1954
Feeder schools	Edgewood Middle School
Edgewood's main entrance
Social studies wing, auditorium and music wing in background

Edgewood High School (EHS) is a four-year public high school in Edgewood in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The school is located in the southwest portion of the county near Route 40. Home to one magnet program and on the brink of opening another, Edgewood prides itself on its support to at-risk students and the rewards that they give for outstanding student achievement.^[1]

[edit] About the School

[edit] Facilities

The building is 189,856 square feet on slightly more than 48 acres and according to Maryland state records, the primary structure was built in 1954^[2]. Since that time, it has been renovated or added to five times, in the years 1958, 1967, 1969, 1975, and 1996^[3]. With the recent population growth in Harford County, combined with the expected population growth due to BRAC, the student population at Edgewood is rapidly growing beyond the capacity of its 62 classrooms and 3 portables. The students and teachers of Edgewood High are currently anticipating the construction of a new facility to replace their building.

[edit] Programs

The Harford County Public Schools' website describes the programs offered at Edgewood thus:

Edgewood High School has a large number of programs and initiatives that enable students to be successful and promote academic achievement. A full range of Advanced Placement and Honors courses in Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and English are available for student selection. Tutoring programs and academic assistance are provided by the National Honor Society and faculty on a daily basis. The 9th grade team supports at-risk students. The Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Scholars programs encourage academic success and planning for future opportunities. Career and Technology programs are available in the areas of Child Care, Foods, Clothing, Accounting, Computer Programming, Office Technology, Business, and Work Experience. Tech Prep programs are to be offered in Child Care, Accounting, and Computer Information Systems.^[4]

[edit] Fine Arts

Music and the arts are strong programs at Edgewood High School. The school is known for its musical and theater productions, and in 2003, the Edgewood High School band was selected by Walt Disney World to perform there. In the fall of 2007, Edgewood's theater department produced the play M*A*S*H, based on the movie of the same name,^[5] and their weekend run of the musical The King and I was completed in March of 2008.

Edgewood's high school instrumental program currently has approximately 140 members, and the vocal program numbers approximately 120. The department also offers courses in music theory, as well as beginning and advanced piano, guitar, and percussion classes. The department produces two or three concerts per year for each ensemble, with the winter concert combining the ensembles, and the spring concerts divided by the parts of the department (orchestral, other instrumental, and choral).

[edit] Magnet Programs

[edit] IB Diploma Programme

Edgewood High School is in the midst of an application process to enter a rank of elite schools offering the International Baccalaureate degree program. The requirements state:

All students currently enrolled in Grade 8 may apply for admission for the freshman class of 2008-2009. The admission process is competitive and applications will be evaluated by a selection committee. The following criteria will be used: Academic achievement in middle school based on GPA, standardized tests and participation in advanced math courses (Algebra I must be completed prior to entering the program). Demonstrated interest and motivation for learning. This will be documented by teacher recommendations, in-person writing sample, and school and community involvement. An interview may also be included.^[6]

[edit] Academy of Finance^[7]

Logo of Edgewood's Academy of Finance

‎

In March of 1998, the Maryland Department of Education joined with the National Academy Foundation to develop local partnerships between businesses and schools to create programs that combine work experience with classroom learning. Thus was born the Edgewood Academy of Finance. Its goals are to help students to explore expanding business careers, learn about and prepare for careers in the financial sector, set personal goals in their high school careers, work in a paid internship, learn problem-solving and teamwork skills, and to make an educational connection at a two-year or four-year college.

Edgewood High School students participating in job shadowing at Harford Mutual Insurance Company

[edit] Program Outline

Edgewood's Academy of Finance is a college-preparatory program, encompassing a partnership between Harford County's financial services industry and the Harford County Public Schools. All Harford County students are welcome to participate in the program, which fosters problem-solving skills and provides students with a wide base of career opportunities. Some features of the program include classroom instruction integrated with workplace experience, exposure to current technology, and opportunities to earn college credit in high school. Each student also completes a six- to eight- week summer internship at the end of their tenure.

[edit] Curriculum

The Academy of Finance curriculum of instruction is integrated with Edgewood High School's curriculum and expectations. To receive their Academy of Finance certificate, signifying completion of the program, all students are required to complete the following coursework:

• Applications of Computer Technology I*
• Introduction to Financial Services/Financial Planning*
  • This class introduces various sectors of the business industry by learning about the nature of careers found in a particular sector and the scope of the work involved in the business. It also includes the process and components of financial planning, as well as retirement planning, estate planning, and investing, among other topics.
• Accounting I*
• Strategies for Business Success
  • This class helps students transition to the world of work, covering everything from "dressing for success" to thinking skills and professionalism. This course is required before internship participation can be granted.
• Securities and Insurance*
  • This class overviews the front and back office operations in securities and insurance and examines the careers in these industries.
• International Finance*
  • This class includes the study of foreign trade, the international monetary system, foreign exchange rates, and international banking.
• Banking and Credit*
  • This class looks at the major functions of banks along with their operations, as well as the functions and operations of credit.
• Economics and the World of Finance*
  • This class provides an understanding of the global market economy, as well as the role that various markets and securities play in the U.S. economy.
• College Introduction to Business (offered in conjunction with Harford Community College)

In addition, it is recommended that students complete the second-level courses of Applications of Computer Technology and Accounting, as well as Principles of Business. All courses marked with "*" denote that they are required for the Finance Completer.

[edit] Students

The graph below shows student enrollment at Edgewood, and its general climb since 1993^[8]:

Edgewood's attendance rate of over 90% is rated "high", according to the Maryland Department of Education's report card for the school. However, the graduation rate is approximately 75%, which the faculty is working diligently to improve. About 9% of the students receive special services, a number considered high by state standards.^[9]

[edit] Feeder system

Edgewood High School is fed by one middle school within the district. In turn, Edgewood Middle School is fed by students from 6 elementary schools, as illustrated in the graphic below:

Of these schools, all students from Abingdon Elementary School and Deerfield Elementary School will attend Edgewood High School, provided that they do not exercise a boundary exception, move, or transfer to a magnet program. In addition, 71% of the students from Edgewood Elementary School, 95% of the students from William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School, and 30% of the students from William S. James Elementary School are districted to Edgewood High School. Also, approximately 1% of the students from neighboring Magnolia Elementary School will come to Edgewood, but the vast majority of students in that school attend Joppatowne High School.

[edit] Athletics

Edgewood makes a variety of teams available to its students. Among the sports offered are baseball, softball, football, and basketball, as well as field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, golf, volleyball, tennis, and swimming. Edgewood also sponsors cheerleading, wrestling, indoor and outdoor track, and cross country teams.^[10] Edgewood's mascot is the Ram.

[edit] Notable Alumni

• Dale Midkiff - actor
• Johnathon Schaech - actor
• Dudley Bradley - NBA player
• Charles Bradley - NBA player

[edit] References and notes

• See also List of Schools in Harford County, Maryland

[edit] External links

• Edgewood High School website [9]
• maps.google.com [10]