York School (California)

York School
Location
Monterey, California
United States
Information
Type Private, Day
Motto Inspiring and preparing a diverse community of creative, independent thinkers for over 50 years
Established 1959
President Chuck Harmon
Staff 10
Faculty 31
Grades 8-12
Enrollment 235
Number of students Coeducational
Campus type City
Color(s) Red and Black
Athletics 13 sports
Athletics conference Mission Trails Athletic League
Mascot Peregrine Falcon
Affiliation Episcopalian
Religion Episcopal
Accredited by WASC
NAIC
National Association of Episcopal Schools
California Association of Independent Schools
Website york.org

York School is a coeducational day school consisting of about 235 students on a hilltop near Highway 68 in Monterey, California.

Contents

History

York was founded in 1959 with 12 seventh-grade boys and two teachers.[1] For the first year, only seventh-grade boys were admitted, but it was planned that a grade would be added each year as the class advanced until a full high school was in session. Later, the seventh grade was dropped. It was decided that the Episcopal school would be called York after the Diocese of York in England, one of the oldest in existence. The coat of arms of the See of York was adopted as the school's slogan and is still in use today.[2]

York started in Pacific Grove, but was soon moved to Monterey. Out of necessity, it was a day school until dormitories could be built in 1964. The same year, the new Laguna Seca campus was opened, where York remains today. Later, for various reasons, including financial constraints, York stopped accepting boarding students. The dorms were converted into classrooms and the boarders were sent to a house in Pacific Grove, called the “pink house,” where they finished their education as the last class to include boarding students.

York would see many more changes in the ensuing years. In 1970, York became coeducational. In 1973, it became non-diocesan. The land still belongs to the Episcopal Church and will return to the Church if York dissolves. However, York is not as closely affiliated with the Church as it had been in the past. As the school grew, more electives were added to the curriculum, such as art and choral music. Originally, York had no official sports teams, but in time various teams were formed. A chapel was built in 1981 in memory of a local philanthropist and in 1983 a locomotive bell was added to the chapel.

In 2003, York built an energy-efficient green-sciences building. It includes photo-voltaic solar panels that supply power for the building, recycled materials in the building itself, sensor controlled lighting, waterless urinals, and optimized framing that reduced lumber use in the project. There was limited site disturbance during construction of the science building. Some of the materials used were recycled, including insulation and lumber. In 2007 the York became the first school to be certified by the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program.

Sports

York has a variety of sports for both boys and girls. The school's colors are red and black and its mascot is the Falcon.

Fall

Winter

Spring

Classes and Schedule

York's core curriculum, as determined by the school's graduation requirements, reflects a traditional liberal arts paradigm with an emphasis on math, history, English, foreign languages, and science. The students must also fulfill a fine arts and performing arts requirement. Modern languages studied include Spanish, Chinese, and French (German which was formerly offered is currently being phased out). Latin and ancient Greek are also offered. A variety of elective courses, including Asian History, Psychology, Cinema, American Government, and Philosophy, supplement the core curriculum.

York employs a unique seven-day rotating schedule of A through G days that allows students to take a maximum of seven classes. There are only six periods each day though, as each class only meets six times during the seven-day rotation. Additionally, the order of the classes rotates such that no class meets at the same time of the day during a given cycle.

Headmasters


Noted alumni

Financial Aid

Through an ambitious financial aid program that awards grants and loans to approximately 37 percent of its students' families, the school is able to enroll excellent students from across a spectrum of economic diversity. York offers a rigorous academic curriculum, a competitive athletic program, opportunities for individual and group participation in the arts, and a healthy variety of extracurricular activities and clubs. The student-faculty ratio is 9:1 and the average class size is fewer than 15.

Recognition

In 1991, York was one of 222 public and private schools nationwide to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Over the past six years, approximately 43 percent of York's seniors have been honored by the National Merit Corporation as finalists, winners, or commended students. One hundred percent of York's graduates go to college, with a majority attending University of California campuses, top liberal arts colleges, or Ivy League schools. York has also done well in its interscholastic sports competition, where it competes in the Mission Trail Athletic League (MTAL).

Footnotes and sources

  1. ^ York Archives
  2. ^ Interview with Nicholas Sturch Latin, Greek, and Art History teacher at York School on March 15, 2007
  3. ^ Lyons, Jessica (2008-09-18). "National NAACP director Ben Jealous returns to his alma mater". Monterey County Weekly. http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/archives/2008/2008-Sep-18/ben-jealous-returns-to-his-alma-mater/1/@@index. Retrieved 2008-09-29. 
  4. ^ Martin, Christa (2009-04-20). "York School alumnus Scott Snibbe makes you part of his creation". Monterey County Weekly. http://www.montereyherald.com/entertainment/ci_12177437. Retrieved 2009-04-20. 
  5. ^ Jay, Conner (2009-04-20). "Movie screening celebrates author's success". Salinas Californian. http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20091002/OFFSIXTYEIGHT13/910020347. Retrieved 2009-11-06. 

External links