| Bethlehem Central Senior High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 700 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054 |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| School district | Bethlehem Central School District |
| Principal | Charles Abba |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | About 1,722 |
| Color(s) | Orange and Black |
| Athletics conference | Suburban Council, Section II |
| Mascot | Eagle |
| Website | http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/high/BCHShome.html |
Bethlehem Central High School is a high school in Delmar, New York, just south of Albany. Located at 700 Delaware Avenue, the school serves students in grades 9-12 from the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. The school was ranked 1048 on Newsweek's 2010 " Top US High Schools."
The high school was established in 1932 at 332 Kenwood Avenue. Within 20 years, the original building was deemed too small, and the school moved to its current location in 1954. The former building now serves as the district's Middle School. But the building continues to bear the words "Bethlehem Central High School," which are carved into its rock, confusing some out-of-towners.
Contents |
2005 Inductees
2006 Inductees
In 2006, the school forbade students to wear hats, hoods, bandannas, and handkerchiefs, saying that these can be gang symbols. This policy was met with considerable student protest, culminating in a petition that accumulated more than 1000 signatures in one day. The issue drew coverage in the Times Union and local television news formats.
The school's construction project is complete after several months of construction. Several additions have been added by contractor Sano-Rubin Construction Services. A gymnasium and gate station have been added. Also several wings on the second and first floors and three science labs have been added. As well, they have moved the Pupil Personnel Services, expanded the Counseling Center, expanded and moved art rooms, expanded the cafeteria, and moved the fitness center.
The school's Science Bowl team finished first in their regional competition in the 2005-06, 2008–09, and 2009-10 school years, earning them trips to the national competition in Washington, DC.
Bethlehem High School has produced excellent Masterminds teams that have won several championships in their league. The Bethlehem Masterminds team recently won the state 2010 Masterminds tournament, becoming state Section II champions.[1]
Bethlehem Central believes that sports foster education, and supports more than 20 sports across three seasons. The district belongs to the New York State Athletic Association and competes as a Class AA school in Section II. BC's league affiliation is with the Suburban Scholastic Council, in which it competes in the gold division.
The Eagles compete in the following sports:
On June 20, 2006, funds for Ice Hockey, Cheerleading, and Gymnastics were cut from the budget. Supporters held multiple fund raisers the teams, allowing all of them to play their sports by the season. The 2007 budget restored funding for these teams.[2]
In 2006, the boys' soccer team made the Final 4 in the state championship. Four members of the girls' swim team made the state championship as well, placing 3rd in the 200-yard Medley Relay. That same year's boys' 200 freestyle relay was ranked 2nd in New York State and named All American.
The boys' Indoor and Outdoor Track teams are recognized as one of the best in the suburban council. In 2010, the boys Indoor Track team sent five athletes to the Nike Indoor Nationals in Boston.
Founded by James Nehring in 1992, the Lab School[3] of Bethlehem Central High School was headed by Jane King until the 2005-06 school year, when she chose to take a job in Clifton Park, NY overseeing the creation of a biomedical curriculum. Its current head is Stephen Smith, who also oversees the school's newspaper, The Talon.
The Lab School is a school-within-a-school and has a total of around 111 students in all four grades (9-12). It is focused more on hands-on projects and has an overall passing average of an 80 or above per year, instead of the regular 65. Students also participate in an internship their senior year. This internship must meet various guidelines as set forth by the school in order to meet various educational requirements. Throughout this internship, the participating student must keep a journal of their hours and experiences and hand it in at the end of the year for a grade.
Each year, there are several field trips that the Lab School takes. These include several trips to the Capital Repertory Theater in Albany, NY, the YMCA Camp Chingachgook and the YMCA Silver Bay Camp (both in the Adirondack Mountains). Each Spring there is an educational trip taken to either Williamsburg, VA, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Philadelphia. Every two years, the Juniors and Seniors take a week long trip to the Florida Keys for a marine biology experience.