Annual School Report - Wando High School

Wando High School
Wando School
Improvement
Council Members
Parents
Thomas Bailey
Kara Berly
Mary Cameron
Bethany Clawson
Debbie Compton
Cynthia Hart
Rebecca Imholz
Pam Murray
Trish Richardson
Jean Wall
Students
Blair Bonifield
Bailey Hart
Meghan McTavish
Patsy Newitt
Caitlyn Richardson
Cole Whitman
Community
John Brisini
Kerry Foy
Sue Hensch
Nathan Karpinsky
Beth Kerrigan
Paul Kukes
Chris Marino
Marcus Martin
Greer Mayer
Eddie Potter
Sandra Reach
Shari Sebuck
Mathilde White
Tammy Wiksell
Giselle Wrenn
Faculty
Caroline Albrecht
Jason Brisini
Charles Coker
Beth Darby
Nancy Ferrell
Elizabeth Johnson
Catherine Lawson
Misty LeClerc
Caroline Taylor
Ex-Officio Members
Sherry Eppelsheimer
John Farese
Lisa Mitchell
Mark Mitchell
Suzanne Rodgers
Christy Spach
Emilie Woody
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
June 2016
Annual Message from Sherry Eppelsheimer, Principal and
Rebecca Imholz, School Improvement Council Chair
As one of the highest performing high
schools in South Carolina, Wando consistently proves that a large, public,
non-magnet high school serving a
diverse population can produce outstanding results. We are committed to
continuous improvement and use
research-based best practices as our
guide.
We consider high school graduation an important step for students but not the final goal. Each
graduate is expected to leave
Wando with a viable plan for his
or her future education and career
goals. Our students are strongly
encouraged to continue their
education at the next level.
differentiated instruction, personalized learning, technology implementation and standards-based
instruction and assessment. Raising the academic bar for all students and providing academic
support for those who struggle are
crucial to the success of our
school.
In recent years, educators from across
the United States and from foreign
countries have come to Wando to
learn more about how a large school
maintains a sense of community and
helps students remain “connected” to
school through the smaller learning
communities concept.
Our career-related Schools of
Study and Ninth Grade Academy
provide opportunities for personal
connections and help our students
see the purpose and relevance of
their work here. Through our
Schools of Study, students are
provided incredible opportunities
to explore their skills and talents
and refine their college and career
goals. Members of the class of
2016 completed 945 majors, four
or more elective courses in an
area of concentration, and received special recognition at
graduation.
Our dedicated faculty and staff
have spent many hours participating in professional development.
Teachers share instructional best
practices and work in curriculum
teams ensuring quality instruction
and assessment in all courses.
Faculty collaboration and teamwork are the norm.
Wando High School is a comprehensive
school for grades nine through twelve
with a diverse student body of more
than 4,000 students. More than 25%
of our students excel in the visual and
performing arts. More than 90% of the
2016 graduating class plan to enroll in
either a two or four year college or
university. Wando offers over 250
course selections including Advanced
Placement, Dual Credit, Honors, College Preparatory, Applied Technology,
and Exceptional Education.
The
Wando High School Advanced Placement and Dual Credit passage rates
continue to be among the highest in
the state of South Carolina.
Our Ninth Grade Academy provides students an effective transition to high school which begins
with a first day experience prior to
the start of school for the rest of
the student body. Throughout the
ninth grade year, our students are
supported as they learn responsibility and make decisions about
future plans. Students at all grade
levels are assigned faculty advisors
who meet with them bi-weekly.
We are blessed with a high level of
parental and community involvement. Our School Improvement
Council and our PTSO provide
outstanding leadership and support as well as helping provide the
future direction of our school.
Improving communication with
parents and the community is a
common goal.
Our various
booster clubs and the School of
Study Advisory Boards are also
vital to our school’s success. We
appreciate their support and continued involvement.
We constantly seek ways to improve instruction and to increase
learning opportunities for our
students. Our focus areas have
been active student engagement,
Wando High School Mission Statement
The mission of Wando High School, in partnership with parents and community, is to educate all students by providing a challenging program of study, to encourage lifelong academic and applied learning, and to graduate students prepared to meet the challenge of a
rapidly changing and diverse global society.
Wando High School
Page 2
Initiatives and Strategies for School Improvement
Initiatives
•
Wando High School was
awarded a Silver Badge
from U. S. News & World
Report based on our performance on state assessments, graduation rate and
how well our students are
prepared for college.
•
•
ing room in the curriculum for
career and technical studies, increasing access to academic studies, offering students a challenging
program of study, allowing opportunities for work-based learning,
supporting collaboration between
teachers, actively engaging students in their learning, providing a
guidance and advisement system,
utilizing a program for extra help
and using assessment and data to
foster continuous improvement.
Our Ninth Grade Academy houses
our freshmen in a “school within a
school” where they take core
courses. This smaller environment
gives ninth graders the opportunity
to build relationships and to increase their sense of community.
Our Smaller Learning Communities
Initiative provides a reorganization
of the Upper School, grades 10-12,
into four smaller career-related
“Schools of Study.” We believe
using a career-related school approach to teaching and learning will
help students see the relevance of
their coursework and its connection
to the future.
Wando works within the High
Schools That Work Alliance , a
whole-school research-based reform effort. The HSTW model
focuses on continuous school
improvement through key practices
including high expectations, allow-
•
We provide additional support for
students with academic promise
who will be first-generation college
bound.
Strategies
•
•
Raise the graduation rate by establishing an intervention team offering academic/transition support.
Expand the Golden Warrior Student
Recognition and Awards Program.
•
Expand Advanced Placement participation and support.
•
Expand the use of data to differentiate instruction.
•
Expand CTE and Fine Arts courses to
meet students’ needs and interests.
•
Expand on-line learning opportunities for credit recovery and initial
credit.
•
Provide professional development
on building positive, productive
relationships with students.
•
Increase opportunities for entry
level workforce credentials and
certifications for our graduates.
•
Expand transition and inclusion
support for Exceptional Education
students.
•
•
•
Offer expanded career counseling.
Expand dual credit options.
Expand the personalized learning
program.
School Highlights: Academics
•
Six teacher cadets received $24,000 Teaching
Fellows Scholarships.
•
with the average score being 3.75.
There were 137 AP Scholars with
Distinction with an average score of
4.10. Wando had 24 National AP
Scholars with an average score of
4.48.
Two senior students were named
National Merit Semifinalists, along
with seven commended scholars
and one special scholarship candidate by the National Merit Corporation.
The 2015 AP School Scholars from
Wando were announced by the
College Board. There were 348 AP
Scholars with an average score of
3.87. 122 students were named AP
Scholars with an average score of
3.22. Sixty-five students were
named AP Scholars with Honors
•
•
We now have more than 500 members in grades 10-12 in the AP
Academy. 104 seniors in the Class
of 2016 received special Advanced
Studies recognition due to earning
at least six AP credits.
One senior student received appointment to the U. S. Air Force
Academy.
•
The average GPA of the Class of
2016 was 3.50.
•
The State of South Carolina requires
students to earn 24 credits in order
to graduate from high school.
Wando seniors earned on average
31 credits.
•
There were 64 Early Awards recipients for the South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
•
The Class of 2016 received five
ROTC scholarships.
School Highlights: Communications and Fine Arts
•
The Class of 2016 set a
new school record earning more than $25 million in scholarship offers.
Tribe Talk took home an All State
ranking and was awarded 11 broadcast journalism individual awards at
the South Carolina Scholastic Press
Association Awards.
•
For the tenth time in 11 years, the
Wando Marching Band took home
first place in the South Carolina
State Championship.
•
60 band students were named to
the All State Band. Two students
were selected to the Honor Band of
America and two more were chosen for the Honor Orchestra of
America. Two Wando Band students were selected to join the
elite Macy’s Great American
Marching Band and played before
millions in New York City on
Thanksgiving Day.
•
18 students were named to the All
State Orchestra. For the first time
three orchestras participated in the
SCMEA Concert Festival and all
three groups earned straight
superior ratings.
•
67 choral students were selected
for the South Carolina All State
Chorus and the choir was accepted
to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica in
Vatican City this summer. They
will also perform in Venice, Florence and Rome.
•
At the Southeastern Scholastic Art
Competition, Wando had four
Gold Key Winners and 21 Silver
Key Winners. One Wando student
won a Gold Key at the Scholastic
National Art Competition.
•
The Outlet, Wando’s literary magazine, was awarded a Superior
rating for the 2014-2015 edition by
the South Carolina Press Association at the SCSPA Fall Conference.
•
The Tribal Tribune won Best in
State from the South Carolina
Scholastic Press Association.
Along with the top award, the
Tribal Tribune staff also took home
a Palmetto Award, an All-State
Award, and the Excellence in Scholastic Newspaper Award Sweepstakes Award for having the most
individual winners. Additionally,
the Tribal Tribune won a Crown
from the Columbia Scholastic Press
Association and was one of only 23
newspapers in the nation to win
the award.
•
Eight Wando dancers were named
to the Charleston County School
District All County Dance Ensemble.
One student received the Most
Valuable Dancer Award.
•
The Theatre Department received
Best Technical Theatre and Best
Supporting Actress Awards from
the South Carolina Theatre Association.
•
The 2015 Yearbook received a
superior rating.
June 2016
Page 3
Welcome to Wando
School Highlights: Athletics and Activities
Wando High School is the
2015-2016 recipient of the
South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association
Director's Cup for Class AAAA.
This first place award is based on the ranking
of the overall athletic program of the Class
AAAA schools. This is the second straight
year that Wando has won this prestigious
award.
•
Ninety-seven Wando athletes were
named to All Region Teams.
•
Sixteen student athletes signed or
were given the opportunity to
compete in college.
•
Fourteen student athletes were
selected for State All Star Games.
•
The Wando Rugby Club Team took
first place in the State.
•
Twenty varsity teams qualified for the
playoffs.
•
•
Five State Championships were won
in:
Wando AP Economics students
competed in the National Economics Challenge and won the state
competition and finished 26th in
the nation.
•
The Wando Junior Classical League
won the South Carolina Junior
Classical League State Convention.
•
The Wando High School ROTC unit
was named a Distinguished Unit.
The Color Guard was State Champion and placed fifth in the National
Championships. The Drill Team
finished third in the National Championships.
Boys Cross Country
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Tennis
Girls Tennis
Volleyball
•
Three Lower State Championships
were won in:
Girls Golf
Boys Swimming
Boys Track
•
Thirteen Region Championships were
won in:
Girls Swimming
Boys Swimming
Volleyball
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Girls Tennis
Boys Tennis
•
Girls Soccer
Boys Soccer
Girls Track
Boys Track
Girls Golf
Boys Golf
Eighty-nine senior athletes were
recognized as Scholar Athletes by the
South Carolina High School League.
•
The Wando Mock Trial Team won
the Regional Mock Trial Competition and finished second out of 47
schools in the State Competition.
•
Student Council was named a 2016
National Gold Council of Excellence.
•
One Wando student won the State
Entrepreneurship Competition and
went on to place in the top 12 in
the nation at the National Youth
Entrepreneurship Challenge.
•
One Health Science student won
this year’s statewide South Carolina
HOSA Medical Math competition
while another student won second
place statewide in HOSA’s Extemporaneous Writing Competition.
•
Wando’s Cyber Defense Team took
the following honors this year: first
place in the State CyberPatriot, first
place in the Regional CyberPatriot,
and 13th place in the National
CyberPatriot.
•
The Culinary Arts Management
Team won first place in the South
Carolina ProStart Championships
while the Culinary Team placed
second in the State. The Management Team placed seventh in the
nation.
•
Wando DECA competed in the DECA
State Business Competition with 67
students competing in 27 separate
business events. Wando had 16
qualifiers for the International
Conference.
•
We the People finished first runnerup in South Carolina and finished
26th in the nation.
•
Wando Advanced Robotics took
second place at the South Carolina
Robotics Invitational.
School Highlights: Faculty and Staff Honors
•
Stephanie McGuffin was named
Wando’s Teacher of the Year. Blair
Worthington was named Rookie
Teacher of the Year.
•
Alexis Glover was named the 2015
National Volleyball Coach of the Year
by PrepVolleyball.com. Coach Glover
was honored for her profound and
long-lasting contribution to the sport.
•
William Twaler was named Educator of
the Year by the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association and was
recognized as one of 32 Educators of
Excellence from the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation.
•
Sally Wallace was named the South
Carolina Bar Law-Related Education
Teacher of the Year.
•
Lanie Radecke and Jeff Handel
received Citations of Excellence
from the National Band Association.
•
Derek Deakins has been named a
quarter finalist for the Music Educator Award presented by The
Recording Academy and the
GRAMMY Foundation. This award
recognizes current educators who
have made a significant and lasting
contribution to the field of music
education.
•
Anjie Curry was award ESOL
Teacher of the Year for Charleston
County School District.
•
Jessica Crum was named the South
Carolina Dance Educator of the
Year by the South Carolina Dance
Association.
•
Region 7AAAA Coaches of the Year
from Wando are:
Eric Praedel - Girls Tennis
Kevin Shiver - Boys and Girls Track
Jeff Emory - Girls Golf
Alexis Glover - Volleyball
Jerry Lloyd - Boys Golf
Bret Davis - Boys Cross Country
•
State Coaches of the Year from
Wando are:
Bret Davis - Boys Cross Country
Kevin Shiver - Girls Track
•
Courtney Worley was named the
YEScarolina Entrepreneurship
Teacher of the Year.
•
MSgt. Nicole Bishop received the
AFJROTC Outstanding Instructor
Award 2016.
Warrior Ambassadors
We have 51 Warrior Ambassadors serving as the face of
Wando. These selected
seniors represent all walks
of life and serve our school
by welcoming community
visitors to our campus,
providing direction and
information to parents
during open house and
information night events.
They also greet and help
acclimate new students on
their first day of school at
Wando, staff new student
lunches, provide social
events for new students in
conjunction with athletic
events, and mentor middle
school students as they
begin their transition to
Wando.
2016
The Wando School Improvement Council meets monthly to plan, monitor, and evaluate improvements at the school level. Their work includes
school planning as well as communication between students, teachers,
parents, and the school administration.
Wando High School
1000 Warrior Way
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29466
Phone: 843.881.8200
Fax: 843.849.2890
www.wandohigh.com
Our PTSO serves as our primary fundraising group for school-wide projects and is the group that organizes and assigns volunteers, works on
beautification, supports school celebrations and recognitions, and provides activities for faculty and staff appreciation and support. Our PTSO
is a 501.c(3) charitable organization.
The Wando Family would like to salute our SIC, PTSO, Booster Clubs,
parent volunteers, community supporters, and the Town of Mount Pleasant for their continuing support. We would also like to thank the
Charleston County School District Board of Trustees, the Charleston
County School District staff, and the Moultrie District 2 Constituent
Board for their assistance.
In Loving Memory
Lucy
Garrett
Beckham
Once a warrior,
always a warrior
July 28, 1949 - December 13, 2015