Implementing Academic Reform

Poultney High School is implementing the Coalition of Essential Schools reform model for school improvement. Under this model the school will focus on helping all students to develop intellectual rigor and master a limited number of limited skills and areas of knowledge. Students will be asked to demonstrate mastery of knowledge through class room testing, standardized testing, exhibitions of their academic achievement and portfolios of their work. The tone of the school will stress high expectations, trust, respect and decency. In pursuing this vision, teaching and learning will be personalized, and the concept of student - as - worker and teacher - as - coach will be employed.

The high school has been offering advanced placement courses to students who demonstrate high academic ability. AP courses in Calculus, Physics, History and English are available. French and Spanish language courses are offered from the 7th grade on. Starting with an introduction to the culture, history and the language, students can progress through four years of increasingly more intense courses in each of these languages. The school intends to extend the options for academic challenges through Interactive Learning Network courses, college courses off campus and more stringent independent studies opportunities.

Of those students entering Poultney High School 92 % graduate. The number of graduates who enroll in four year colleges has been increasing each year. In 2001 34% went on to a four year college, in 2002 38% and in 2003 44%. Among the schools graduates enrolled in were the University of Vermont, Hartwick College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Union College. The goal is to further increase this percentage, while encouraging more students to pursue community college, junior college and technical school post high school education. Longer term the goal is to have 70% of each class go on to some form of higher education