Souhegan High School

Souhegan High School
Location
Amherst, New Hampshire
United States
Information
Type Public
Motto Respect, Trust, Courage
Opened 1992
Principal Rob Scully[1]
Enrollment 780 (2018)
Average class size 20 students
Campus Suburban
Color(s) Gold, White, Black
Mascot Saber
Faculty and staff 119
Website sau39.org/shs

Souhegan Cooperative High School (/saʊˈhiːɡən/) is a Coalition of Essential Schools high school located in Amherst, New Hampshire, in the United States. Students from Amherst and Mont Vernon attend Souhegan for 9th through 12th grades. There are about 800 students and 150 faculty members. The school was founded based on the work of Theodore R. Sizer, a former dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a notable American education reform leader and the father of the Essential Schools movement. Notably, Souhegan's progressive reputation has been chronicled in the book Standards of Mind and Heart: Creating the Good High School by Tony Wagner, Peggy Silvia and Dr. Robert A. Mackin (Teachers College Press, 2002). Based on this history, the school was founded with the mission "Souhegan High School aspires to be a community of learners born of respect, trust and courage." The school name is derived from its proximity to the Souhegan River, which adjoins the school property. The word Souhegan comes from the Algonquin language, meaning "waiting and watching place".[2]

History

Authorized Regional Enrollment Area

The town of Amherst had long sought to apply economies of scale through a cooperative high school in partnership with adjoining towns and made several overtures in the late 1950s and early 1960s to neighboring Milford and other towns, but found no support. A proposal for a cooperative district with Bedford came to a vote in 1961, passing overwhelmingly in Amherst, but being defeated in Bedford.[3]:224 In November 1964, Amherst and Milford entered into the state's first Authorized Regional Enrollment Area (or "AREA") agreement, a long-term tuition agreement under which Milford would retain ownership and absolute control of the high school and Amherst would pay tuition to Milford based upon Milford's per-pupil costs of the preceding year, plus a share of the school's capital debt, but had no voice in the school's governance; the agreement was irrevocable while the debt was carried.[3]:225 Mont Vernon joined the AREA agreement and additionally sent its middle school students to Milford. Amherst was dissatisfied with the high school and its lack of voice, and "Milford felt that Amherst had educational ideas too rich for Milford's blood."[3]:225 The school boards of Amherst and Milford tentatively planned in 1976 not to renew the AREA agreement in ten years' time when the high school's capital debt was anticipated to be paid off.[3]:225 The Amherst School District appointed a committee to examine the alternatives, including building a high school of its own. The committee commissioned a study by an architectural and educational planning firm, which was published in 1982.[3]:225

Beginning in 1984, the two towns were each permitted to send one non-voting delegate to the Milford School Board, as was the high school's student body. Despite the tentative plan from nine years earlier for the towns' school districts to go their separate ways, negotiations for a prospective new AREA agreement began in 1985 with Amherst and Mont Vernon seeking significant improvements to the high school. The debt and the AREA agreement expired as expected at the end of the 1985–1986 academic year while negotiations continued; its tuition terms continued under annual tuition agreements in the interim.

Cooperative High School era

A regional school district was proposed and put before the voters of all three towns in 1988. The proposal was defeated at the Milford School District's special deliberative session. Days later, the Amherst School District held its special deliberative session where Amherst voters established the Souhegan Cooperative School District. Mont Vernon followed suit within the week.

The school opened in 1992, on property previously owned by the Amherst School District, adjoining the Amherst Middle School and sharing some outdoor facilities. The school added a second building in 2003, called the Annex.

The school is part of the SAU-39 school district, which includes the middle and elementary schools in Amherst and Mont Vernon.

The current principal of the high school is Rob Scully.[1]

Recognition

In June 2009 Souhegan was listed #15 in "The Top of the Class", a ranking of the top 1,564 public high schools in the United States (approximately the top 6%) by Newsweek.[4]

In April 2016, officials from the U.S. Department of Education toured the school and met with students and staff to discuss Souhegan's involvement with P.A.C.E. (Performance Assessment of Competency Education), Competency Based Education and Deeper Learning initiatives.[5]

Souhegan consistently ranks as one of the best public high schools in New Hampshire:

  • #7 Overall in New Hampshire, US News & World Report (2018). [6]
  • #4 Overall in New Hampshire, Niche (2017).[7]
  • #8 Overall in New Hampshire, SchoolDigger (2017).[8]
  • #9 College Readiness in New Hampshire, US News & World Report (2017).[9]
  • Top Public High School for Student Athletes in New Hampshire, Niche (2017).[7]

Culture

Coalition of Essential Schools

Fang Fest Celebration
Fang Fest Race

Intended to codify Ted Sizer's insights from his book Horace's Compromise: The Dilemma of the American High School (Mariner Books, 1984), and the views and beliefs of others in the CES organization, the essential schools movement was based on ten principles:

  • Learning to use one's mind well
  • Demonstration of Mastery and Deep Learning
  • Less is more, depth over coverage
  • Goals apply to all students
  • Personalization
  • Student-as-worker, teacher-as-coach
  • A tone of decency and trust
  • Commitment to the entire school
  • Resources dedicated to teaching and learning
  • Democracy and Equity[10]

Teacher life

The main difference between a Souhegan teacher and a traditional public school teacher, is the number of students for whom they have direct responsibility in a given school year. That number is not to exceed 80. Classes taught should not exceed four so there is time for planning and collaboration.[11] All teachers are primarily situated within a room for either Division 1 or Division 2. Outside of class periods, teachers spend their time in the Division rooms. Each teacher has their own desk within Division 1 or Division 2.

Student life

"All human beings are born with unique gifts. The healthy functioning of our community depends on its capacity to develop each gift." Peter Senge, The Learning School

This quote represents the essence of the school culture. Since its inception, Souhegan High School has taken Senge's contemplation to heart. The Souhegan community maintains they are "as unique and different as each student who enters the doors and we take our obligation seriously. Our guiding documents place the individual at the center of our school and significant programs provide the foundation and encouragement for success."

Souhegan Six

The school was founded on six behavioral expectations called "The Souhegan Six". Students have the flexibility to engage in behavior more traditional schools prohibit, like chewing gum, wearing hats, eating outside and calling teachers and staff by their first names, provided they live by the Souhegan Six. Juniors and seniors may leave campus for lunch as long as they meet the criteria for off-campus privileges, which includes parental consent.

The "Souhegan Six" are:

  • Respect and encourage the right to teach and the right to learn at all times.
  • Be actively engaged in the learning; ask questions, collaborate, and seek solutions.
  • Be on time to fulfill your daily commitments.
  • Be appropriate; demonstrate behavior that is considerate of the community, the campus, and yourself.
  • Be truthful; communicate honestly.
  • Be responsible and accountable for your choices.

Heterogeneous grouping

Inclusion is a driving philosophy at the high school. Students are not tracked in academic levels. Rather, students of all abilities have been historically placed in the same classroom and it is the job of the students and teacher to provide a path for differentiated instruction.[12] It could be argued that the notable exception is in the Advance Placement (AP) courses that are now offered as part of the Program of Studies.

Advisory

Advisory is a class period, instead of the traditional study hall, where students meet daily for 25 minutes to share and discuss concerns, interests or whatever is on their minds. The purpose is to build community, foster relationships and reinforce the mission.

Fang Fest

Spirit Week at Souhegan is known as Fang Fest. It is a school-wide, week long festival that pits the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes against one another in various contests, rallies and celebrations.

Hope for Gus

Hope for Gus Week at Souhegan began with the Hope for Gus Foundation. It was started by Souhegan High School faculty member Steve Dreher and his wife Tonya. Their son, Gus, has Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a debilitating disease that causes the muscles of young boys to weaken year after year. The disease is terminal. The foundation raises money for research in treatments for all boys with DMD. Souhegan has embraced this cause. Hope for Gus Week is a recent tradition at the school that culminates every year with a Friday night, home football game at Calvetti Field where addmisssion to the game can be secured with a canned food/dried good donation. The following Saturday features a Hope for Gus 5K run.

Ethics Forum

Mission: Transforming meaningful philosophical dialogue into active ethical leadership.

The Ethics Forum at Souhegan High School was created to offer opportunities for all high school students throughout New Hampshire to broaden their worldview, to develop ethical leadership skills, to give back to their own communities and to participate in meaningful philosophical conversations. Ethics Forum projects directly correlate with the Souhegan Six.

In order to stay centered on these core components, the Ethics Forum hosts and participates in a wide range of local, state and regional events including most notably the HYPE or Hosting Young Philosophy Enthusiasts Conference and the LEAP or Leadership Empowering Authentic Progress Conference.[13]

Wintercession

Souhegan offers a week-long program for sophomores called Wintercession. Wintercession allows students to work in a small group on a specific project. Often, a Wintercession option includes a trip. The number of trip options vary, but usually number around two dozen. These trips provide opportunities for group relationship building as well as exposure to the world outside of Amherst. Options in the past have included "Build A Boat", rock climbing trips, and volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity.

First day of class

The first day of school for freshmen at Souhegan typically starts the day after Labor Day. It is a half-day introduction, and culminates with the freshmen being walked through the school while the senior class, faculty and staff cheer them on. Sophomores and juniors start the following day. The first week to half-week is considered a "practice week". Teachers focus on getting to know students and on team-building activities. The first day of school for freshmen and seniors consists of introductory activities, such as meeting fellow advisees and getting to know the campus.

Academics

The Annex

Program of studies

Souhegan's program of studies is extensive. School practices and decision-making at Souhegan High School are research-based and rooted in the tenets of their guiding documents. The tenets include Souhegan's mission statement, Coalition of Essential Schools Ten Common Principles, Academic Learner Expectations, and the Souhegan Six.

Academic foundations

Souhegan offers core academic programs in the following areas: Humanities, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages, Classical Languages, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Technology, Computer Science, Media Arts, Wellness and Health, Family and Consumer Science, and Business Education. The school also has multiple partnerships to provide Career and Technical opportunities..

Honors and Advanced Placement

Within most classes, an Honors Challenge option is offered to students who wish to pursue advanced academic studies. Honors Challenge guidelines are established school-wide; Honors Challenge expectations per course are developed by individual teachers. Credit for honors is earned by fulfilling the expectations. Honors is identified on the student’s end of year report card and transcript with an ‘H.’ Students who are engaged in honors will also have the course identified with an HP (Honors Pending) on their transcript at trimester one.

Advanced Placement (AP): Advanced Placement courses are offered in the following subjects:

  • AP English Literature
  • AP English Language Composition
  • AP Human Geography
  • AP US History
  • AP Statistics
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Physics C
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP French
  • AP Spanish
  • AP Studio Art
  • AP Computer Science A
  • AP Computer Science Principles

Academic Learner Expectations

ALE's are part of the evaluation of all student work, consistent with the school's commitment to developing 21st Century skills. These expectations consist of:

  • Knowledgeable Person
  • Complex Thinker
  • Skilled Information Processor/Consumer
  • Effective Communicator/Producer
  • Self-Directed Learner
  • Collaborative Worker
  • Responsible Citizen

Grading based on these Learner Expectations is on a scale of "Does Not Meet", "Approaches", "Meets", and "Exceeds". These grades correlate to "F", "C", "B", and "A" on a traditional grading scale, respectively. Souhegan does not include "D" in the grading scale, any grade that would be a "D" is automatically an "F" or "NC" (No Credit).

Unique programs

The four traditional grade levels at Souhegan are split in two. Division One consists of Freshman and Sophomore year. Division Two consists of Junior and Senior year. The following project-based programs are core academic requirements:

Division I Exhibition

The Division I Exhibition is designed to help students recognize and acknowledge their progress in the Souhegan High School Academic Learner Expectations and the Mission Statement. It is a multipart process for sophomore students moving into their junior year. The first part of the process is for a student to complete a portfolio of 9th and 10th grade work, re ecting on this work through the lens of the learner expectations. Next, using the information in the portfolio, students write a re ection on their entire Division I (9th and 10th grade) experience. The final part of the process is the exhibition, students participate in the form of a 45-minute "roundtable" where the student presents his/her portfolio and written re ection in the company of his/her advisor, parents, peers and a second Souhegan staff member. The Division I Exhibition is a graduation requirement. Students who do not successfully complete the Division I Exhibition will work with their advisor and counselor to develop a plan for meeting this requirement.

Junior Research Project

The Junior Research Project, a graduation requirement, is a researched writing process that culminates with a comprehensive research paper written in the spring of the junior year. As part of the World Studies curriculum, students gain research and writing skills that aid them in the completion of this paper. In their nal product students exhibit their competence in the Academic Learner Expectations. The Junior Research Project is a graduation requirement.

Post-graduate plan

All juniors will complete post-secondary planning to include elements of critical life skills such as decision- making, college, and career planning. Juniors will also complete a college search, a resume, transcript audit, and review the common application. The PGP exposes students to the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a variety of post-secondary options.

Senior project

Senior Project is a personalized learning experience which is a requirement for graduation from Souhegan High School. With support from a faculty mentor, students identify an area of passion, complete significant research, apply their research to an original project, and prepare a formal twenty minute presentation. Throughout the senior project, students demonstrate their skills as independent learners including their ability to problem-solve, organize their time and resources, and reflect upon their learning. Senior project embodies all of Souhegan’s Learner Expectation; these skills contribute to life-long learning.

Governance

Souhegan Rear East Entrance

Governance at Souhegan is unique to other public high schools. Given inclusion and student-voice are critical cultural components at the school, governance includes not only Administration and the Souhegan Cooperative School Board, but also a Community Council. Community Council was founded in 1992 during Souhegan’s first year of service. Its task is to create and modify school procedure as a representative body of forty-seven members. Council is purposefully diverse and purposefully student led. The representatives discuss and vote on various proposals concerning student life, school initiatives, disciplinary procedure, grading procedure, and any other matter of importance to the school community.

Community Council

Community Council is the main governing body of Souhegan. The Community Council has the power to create and change Souhegan's policies, including but not limited to:

  • Grading
  • Scheduling
  • Discipline
  • All other issues of importance to the community

All of Community Council's power is derived from the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (SCSB), and although the school board has the power to override any decision made by the Community Council, this has never happened. Community Council consists of parents, external community members, students, teachers, and administrative faculty, although all community members are encouraged to be a part of the discussions.[14] Community Council meets directly after school once each week, except for one night a month when the meeting takes place at night. The Community Council consists of:

  • 9th Grade Representatives (5)
  • 10th Grade Representatives (5)
  • 11th Grade Representatives (5)
  • 12th Grade Representatives (5)
  • Faculty/Staff Representatives (10)
  • Dean of Students (1)
  • Community Representatives (5)
  • School Board Liaison (1)
  • At-Large Representatives (10)

Community Review Board

The Community Review Board is a body of community members that was created to ensure the fairness of disciplinary actions by the school's administration. The Community Review Board only has authority in cases which do not involve outside agencies, such as the police. The Community Review Board consists of eleven members including:

  • One student elected from each grade
  • One student selected by random, voluntary lottery
  • Two elected faculty
  • One elected Community Council member

The Community Review Board has the authority to:

  • Decide whether or not to hear a case
  • Uphold the administration's decision
  • Change the punishment set by the administration
  • Nullify the administration's decision

In cases where the police department is involved, a student can appeal to the principal, superintendent, and then the school board.

Judiciary Board

The judiciary board is a group of students and faculty who can create personalized and creative solutions for students who have chosen to violate the Souhegan Six. According to the Souhegan student handbook, "The charge of the Judiciary Board is: To provide students the opportunity for a fair hearing regarding a breach of the Souhegan Six, our community behavioral norms."

Souhegan Cooperative School Board

The SCSB is a seven member board that consists of five elected members serving Amherst, New Hampshire and two elected members serving Mont Vernon, New Hampshire. Different seats have terms of either two or three years, depending on the seat. Elections are held every year in March.

Athletics and clubs

Calvetti Family Field entrance

Athletics

The Souhegan Sabers compete across several divisions in the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association. The Sabers field 27 different girls, boys and co-ed athletic teams.

  • The girls' soccer team set a state record by winning 9 straight Class I championships between 1992 and 2000.
  • In 2003 the school set a state record with eight teams winning state championships. The softball, boys' baseball, boys' basketball, boys' track, boys' and girls' tennis and the girls' and boys' lacrosse teams all won state championships.
  • The varsity hockey team won the NHIAA DIII state championships in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2014.
  • The varsity football team won the NHIAA DIII state championships in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010.
  • In 2012, the boys' varsity indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country teams won DII state championship titles.
  • Souhegan Saber Lacrosse
    In 2016, the girls' varsity cross country team was the first in school history to win the DII championship title. They also went on to win the New Hampshire Meet of Champions and earn runner-up honors at the New England Championships. The varsity girls team also placed 2nd as the Sabers Running Club at the non-NHIAA sanctioned Nike Northeast qualifier in Wappinger Falls, NY, and became only the third team from New Hampshire to qualify to compete at Nike Cross Nationals (formerly Nike Team Nationals).
  • In 2017, the girls' varsity indoor track and field team won the DII state championship.
  • In 2017, the girls' varsity lacrosse team won the DI state championship. Lacrosse is the only NHIAA sport Souhegan competes in at the DI level for both girls and boys programs.

Clubs

The Claw: Souhegan High School's digital magazine. Their website states, "we are a group of talented authors, journalists, photographers, cinematographers, and athletes dedicating our extracurricular time to celebrate the unique passions, interests, and intentions of our student body. We promise to report the truth: With sincerity. With accuracy. With integrity. And without bias."[15]

In the 2016-2017 academic year, the school offered 47 different clubs and activities.

Notable alumni and staff

Campus

Calvetti Field seating area
  • Main Building
  • Annex
  • Calvetti Field & Athletic Complex
  • Auditorium

References

  1. 1 2 "Contact Info". Souhegan High School. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  2. ↑ Caduto, Michael J. (2003). A Time Before New Hampshire: The Story of a Land and Native Peoples. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England. p. 143.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Amherst New Hampshire 1881–1982: A Sleeping Town Awakens, The Historical Society of Amherst New Hampshire; Canaan (N.H.): Phoenix Publishing, 1983.
  4. ↑ "The Top of the Class: The complete list of the 1,500 top U.S. high schools". Newsweek. June 8, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  5. ↑ Duffort, Lola (August 19, 2017). "New Hampshire's testing pilot, PACE, gaining ground".
  6. ↑ "U.S. News Best High Schools in New Hampshire". U.S. News & World Report.
  7. 1 2 "2018 Best Public Schools in New Hampshire". Niche.com. 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  8. ↑ "New Hampshire High School Rankings". SchoolDigger.com. 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  9. ↑ "New Hampshire High Schools, College Readiness". US News & World Report. 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  10. ↑ "CES Founder: Ted Sizer". Coalition of Essential Schools. 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Common Principles". Coalition of Essential Schools. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  12. ↑ "About Us". Souhegan High School. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Ethics Forum". The SHS Claw. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Souhegan High School Community Council By-Laws" (PDF). Official school website. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  15. ↑ "About". The SHS Claw. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  16. ↑ Ashlock, Alex (21 July 2014). "New Hampshire Veteran Receives Medal Of Honor". WBUR. Boston. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
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