BERGENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE

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1 BERGENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE Bergenfield High School two years ago named one of the top 10 most improved High Schools by New Jersey Monthly In 2010 Bergenfield High School was named one of the top 10 most improved High Schools by New Jersey Monthly magazine. Bergenfield has maintained its standing in the ranking survey. Bergenfield High School was the fastest rising school in the 2010 New Jersey Monthly survey of the Top High Schools, jumping nearly 100 spots, from 234 to 136. Originally settled by Swedish and Dutch immigrants, Bergenfield later attracted new arrivals from Italy and Ireland. Today, the town of 25,600 residents is mainly home to families with children who are on their way to being first-generation college students. The high school s population of 1,250 students is 30 percent Filipino, 30 percent Hispanic, and about 30 percent white, says Kuchar. Their parents want the best for their children, he says. They want them to have a part of the American dream. Despite big cuts in state aid and an increase in enrollment, Bergenfield High School has managed to reduce class size, achieve better test scores, have fewer kids drop out, and send more students to four-year colleges since the last survey, published in 2008.How did they do it? Over the past few years, school officials have focused intensely on academic achievement, creating programs that increase the rigor of coursework. They set up after-school clubs for kids who struggled with homework. They started a ninth-grade academy that helps students with the transition from middle school to high school. They used mentors to start a program for incoming freshmen interested in engineering and math. They created partnerships with New Jersey colleges and universities that allow students to take courses for college credit. And they doubled the number of Advanced Placement classes. COMMUNITY Bergenfield is a multi racial, multi ethnic residential suburb located ten miles from the heart of New York City. Its population of 28,000 is composed of professional, business and trade people who are committed to excellence in education.

2 SCHOOLS The Bergenfield Public School District consists of five elementary schools, one middle school and one four-year high school. The total district enrollment (2011) is 3,164 students, of which 1,226 attend Bergenfield High School. High School Student/Certified Staff Ratio: 10-1 High School Class Periods/Time: 9 periods of forty-two minutes. Marking Periods: 4 ACCREDITATION Bergenfield High School is accredited by the New Jersey State Department of Education and by the Middle States Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. FACULTY The faculty consists of one hundred and ten professionals who are all highly qualified and certified by the state of New Jersey In , 44.2% of the faculty possessed bachelor degrees, 52.6% possessed master s degrees and 3.2% possessed doctoral degrees. The high school has one principal, one assistant principal, two deans of discipline, five guidance counselors, a learning disability teacher consultant, a school psychologist, two social workers, a transition counselor, a student assistance counselor, a director of pupil personnel, one librarian/media specialist, one media supervisor, one full-time nurse and one part-time nurse. The school has many supports for students including a 504 Team and an Instructional and Referral Service Committee. A college career center is available to assist students in formulating their post high school plans. Our professional staff is supportive, enthusiastic and committed to the success of each student. Students and teachers work collaboratively, both in and out of the classroom, to insure student success. CURRICULUM Bergenfield s unique and innovative programs have been recognized as Best Practice Programs by the state of New Jersey. We were recognized last year as a school on the move by NJ Magazine. Students are offered a comprehensive program of studies. They can earn college credits through collaborative programs with Fairleigh Dickinson University, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Dominican College in the following disciplines: Biology, English, U.S. History, Government & Politics, Calculus, Financial Accounting, Anatomy and Physiology, Dynamics of Health Care in Society, Medical Terminology, Medical Math and Health and Wellness. We also have dual enrollment programs for students to take course for credit at Ramapo College, Syracuse University, Fairleigh Dickinson and Bergen Community College. Our award-winning Teacher

3 Apprenticeship Program and Health Career Program of Study are designed for students who are interested in exploring teaching or nursing as a career. Bergenfield s Board of Education is proud that the majority of courses offered are college preparatory. In addition to the standard offerings at a variety of levels, honors classes are offered in Art, English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Music, Social Studies and Science. Advanced Placement courses are available in Art, English, Social Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, Music, and Science. Independent Study courses are also available to those students interested in pursuing knowledge beyond the basic curriculum. We offer many business, technical education, computer education, fine, practical and performing arts courses, which, address the pragmatic needs of all students as well as prepare students for careers in these disciplines. Our fine and performing students have won many awards for excellence in art and music. The Bergenfield School District is proud of the fact that its comprehensive program is designed to meet the needs of all students who attend our school. Our School-to-Career Program is an excellent example of a program designed to meet the needs of students who are not planning to go on to college. This program provides students with the opportunity to experience opportunities offered by the trade unions. Students who participate in this program and pass an aptitude test are accepted as apprentices immediately after graduation. STUDENT ACTIVITIES PROGRAM Bergenfield High School students are involved in many activities outside of the classroom. The majority of students are involved in clubs, organizations and athletics. Highlights include: Bear Facts, the student newspaper, is one of the best student newspapers in the country. Year in and year out it has earned top awards in the field of scholastic journalism from universities, colleges and professional organizations, including the New Jersey Press Association, and the Garden State Scholastic Press Association. The ultimate indicator of the excellence of this paper is that for 29 consecutive years the Columbia Scholastic Press Association has given the paper the Gold Medalist rating. The Music Department has long maintained a tradition of excellence. This achievement is a direct result of the many hours of practice that students put in beyond the normal school day. The band is internationally recognized and has been rewarded for its efforts over the years by winning numerous awards and participating in the Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The American Music Conference has named Bergenfield as one of the 100 Best Communities for Music Education in the U.S.A.

4 The Bergenfield Art Department is recognized nationally as a model program for the development and understanding of the visual arts through the communication of ideas and aesthetic awareness. Students entering the program develop a strong foundation on which to build an appreciation of the visual world around them and an opportunity to develop the critical thinking skills and the experience to pursue a career in either the Fine or Applied Arts. Student work has consistently earned awards in local, state and national competitions, while many alumni are working professionally in the fields of fine arts, fashion, photography, film and video production. The Athletic Department participates in the Big North Conference and is a member of the N.J.S.I.A.A. We have many Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshmen level teams. Students on the teams learn not only specific skills related to a sport but they learn team work and good sportsmanship. We believe that good sportsmanship and teamwork are key skills for students to learn so that they can handle the day to day issues that develop in daily living. Throughout the years our teams have won League, County and State Championships. We are most proud of the fact that we have won many awards for the display of Outstanding Sportsmanship. The school has also had several students that have gone on to become collegiate and professional athletes. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Minimum Curriculum Requirements: English 4 Physical Education/Health/Driver Education 4 Social Studies 3 Mathematics 3 Science 3 Foreign Language 2 Fine and Performing Arts 1 Career Education 1 Electives (As needed) Total Units 24 Since more than 90% of Bergenfield High School students continue their education, virtually all students exceed these requirements. GRADING AND WEIGHTED POINTS Grade Grade Point Avg, Bonus Scale/Honors Bonus Scale/Adv. Place. A A A B B

5 B C C C D Weighted Courses include: AP = 19 Honors = 32 AP English 11 Language and Comp English 9 Honors AP English 12 Literature and Comp English 10 Honors AP Am Govt.& Politics Algebra 2 Honors AP Art History Geometry Honors AP Biology Calculus Honors AP Calculus Pre-Calculus Honors AP Chemistry Anatomy & Physiology Honors 1 & 2 AP Computer Science Biology Honors AP Economics Chemistry Honors AP Environmental Science Physics Honors AP Music 2 Modern World History/Geography Honors AP Physics US History 1 Honors AP Probability and Statistics US History 2 Honors AP Psychology Spanish 2 Honors AP Spanish Literature Spanish 3 Honors AP Spanish Language Spanish 4 Honors AP Studio Art Spanish for Native Speakers 1 Honors AP US History Spanish for Native Speakers 2 Honors AP World History French 4 Honors Italian 4 Honors French 5 Honors Italian 5 Honors TV Production III & IV Honors Fundamentals College Accounting 1 Honors Design Foundation: Architecture to Robotics III Honor Music 1 Honors Cisco Discovery CCENT Honors Chamber Orchestra Honors Cisco Discovery CCNA Honors Vocal Ensemble Honors Cisco Discovery Security IINS Honors Wind Ensemble Honors Oracle Academy 1 & 2 Honors All U.M.D.N.J. and Dominican College courses are taught on the Bergenfield High School campus. CLASS RANK Rank-in Class is determined by placing the G.P.A. of all students in a grade from highest to lowest. The Weighted Rank will reflect the additional G.P.A. points given for weighted courses successfully completed. A student must be enrolled in Bergenfield High School for at least two full consecutive years in order to be included in class rank. Students who do not meet this requirement will be given an

6 estimated class rank. Only grades earned at Bergenfield High School are included in the Rank-In-Class calculation. Class Rank will is available at the end of the Junior year and the final rank at the conclusion of the first semester of Senior year. POST-SECONDARY PLACEMENT (Based on the class of 2012, 318 students) 4 Year & 2 Year Colleges/Universities 93.5% Technical/Business Schools 2.5% Workforce.7% Military 2.9% Apprenticeship.4% STANDARDIZED TESTS High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) & Special Review Assessment (SRA) Math 86.3% of eleventh graders pass the HSPA mathematics assessment the first time. All non - special education students pass the state Math Assessment by graduation Language Arts. 97.1% of eleventh graders pass the HSPA Language Arts Literacy Assessment the first time. All non-special education students pass the state Language Arts Literacy Assessment by graduation SAT/ACT (class of 2012) 271 of 300 seniors took the SAT or ACT Students SAT and ACT scores correlated very well with class rank and GPA. The students in the top tenth scored the highest. Bergenfield students on average improved their SAT scores compared to students in NJ and the Nation. This year the average student SAT score for Bergenfield students has improved by 18 points overall while the State has improved by 11 points and the Nation dropped nine points. *All students at Bergenfield High School are encouraged to take the SAT and or the ACT regardless of their academic standing and/or post graduate plans.

7 BERGENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 80 South Prospect Ave Bergenfield, NJ Main Office Fax Guidance Fax BOARD OF EDUCATION Joseph Amara, President Eileen Ryder, Vice President Mark D Esposito, Trustee Ralph Messina, Trustee Cathy Wada, Trustee ADMINISTRATION Central Office Dr. Michael Kuchar, Superintendent Mr. Hank Sinatra, Assistant Superintendent Ms. Mary Anne DeVivo, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Christopher Tully, Board Secretary/Business Administrator HIGH SCHOOL Mr. James Fasano, Principal Mr. Robert Ragasa, Assistant Principal Dr. Arthur Freiman, Director of Pupil Personnel Mr. Thomas Curry, Director of Athletics HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS Mrs. Ligia Alberto Mr. James Butler Mr. Nicholas Santangelo Mrs. Dana Massey Ms. Melissa Yoskowitz The Bergenfield School District is an equal opportunity institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age or handicap in its activities, programs, or employment practices.

8 ART AP Art History AP Studio Art Artscope Art Prep Art Lab Ceramics Creative Video/Film Analysis 3- D Designs in Sculpture Digital Photography Drawing and Printmaking Fashion Design & Advertising Painting TV Production 1 & 2 TV Film Independent Study BUSINESS AND MARKETING EDUCATION Business Dynamics Accounting I Marketing I Business Law & Ethics Fundamental College Financial Accounting and Reporting Fundamental College Accounting II H Microsoft Office Marketing1: Marketing Essentials Sports, Fashion & Entertainment Marketing Microsoft Office Specialist Certification: Word, Power Point, Excel,Acess DECA Finance & Money Management International Business ENGLISH AP Lang and Composition AP Literature and Composition Drama World Literature (H) 9 American Literature 1 (H) 10 American Literature 2 (H) 11 Creative Writing English Composition (H) 12 English for New Am. A/ B/ C HSPA Language Arts Prep Journalism I, II, III, IV Research & Writing SRA Language Arts Prep Visual Literacy HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical Ed 9/10/11/12 # Health 9/11/12 # Driver Education 10 A+ IT Essential A+ IT Technician A+ Remote Support A+ Depot Technician Wood Technology I, II, III Computer Graphics I, II, III INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

9 Design Foundation: Architecture to Robotics I,II,III Cisco Discovery CCENT Cisco discovery Cisco Network Security H CTE Green Program Oracle I Honors Oracle II Honors MATHEMATICS AP Calculus AP Computer Science AP Probability and Statistics Algebra I Algebra II (H) Calculus Honors College Prep Math Computer Science I,II Geometry Honors HSPA Math Prep Integrated AlgGeo I,II Medical Math Plane Geometry Pre Algebra Pre Calculus Pre Calculus Honors Probability & Statistics SRA Math Prep MUSIC AP Music Theory 2 Begin Class Guitar Begin Class Piano Chamber Orchestra Honors Chorale Concert Band/Marching Band Concert Choir Concert Orchestra Honors Vocal Ensemble Honors Wind Ensemble/Marching Band Music I Honors Music for Enjoyment Music Technology 1 Symphonic Band/ Marching Band Symphony Orchestra SCIENCE AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics Anatomy & Physiology Honors I, II Biology (H) Chemistry (H) CTE Biology CTE Chemistry CTE Physics Dynamics of Health Care in Society Environmental Science Forensics Health and Wellness Marine Biology Medical Terminology Medical Science Physics 1A, 1B

10 Honors Physics Emergency and Clinical Care SOCIAL STUDIES AP American Government & AP European History AP Macroeconomics AP Psychology AP U.S. History AP World History Economics Foundations of Human Behavior Law & Citizen Politics Mod. World History & Geo Mod. World History & Geo. Hon U.S. History I U.S. History I Honors U.S. History II U. S. History II Honors WORLD LANGUAGES AP Spanish AP Spanish Lit American Sign Language 1& 2 Chinese 1&2 Spanish I Spanish II (H) Spanish III (H) Spanish IV ( H), Spanish for Native Speakers I, II (H) French II (H), III (H) French IV H, V H Italian II, III Italian IV H, V H Teacher Apprenticeship Program Nurse Apprenticeship Program Satellite School Education Work Experience (CIEWE) CROSS DISCIPLINARY COURSES = Half-year Semester Course # = Quarter-year or Marking Period Course