RYE HIGH SCHOOL
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Rye High School
Parsons Street Rye, New York 10580 (914) 967-6100 |
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Dr. Jim Rooney
Principal, Ext. 1908 |
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| Mr. Wayne Matteis Assistant Principal, Ext 1918 |
Ms. Patricia Taylor Assistant Principal, Ext 1948 |
Rye High School student body numbers 737 in Grades 9 - 12. The guidance department seeks to match a wide range of student abilities and interests with a program of studies designed to prepare each student for his or her post-secondary educational or vocational plans. Rye High School is accredited by the New York State Department of Education, Middle States Association.
We are a school community dedicated to the challenge of providing each student an education required by and worthy of our democratic society. As such, we affirm our belief in the dignity of each individual, understanding that we are all valued and valuable members of the society. At the same time, we recognize the growing interdependence of the people of the earth and our consequent responsibility to promote understanding and appreciation of the rich diversity within our global community. And so we seek not only to help our students develop their minds and their ability to interact effectively with others, but also to identify and develop their interests in such a way that they realize their potential in college and career and continue to learn and grow throughout their lives.
In order to achieve these ends, we recognize two essential conditions. First, a spirit of openness and responsiveness among the members of the school and the community is indispensable. Hence, the school accepts its obligation to maintain cooperative links with the Rye community, especially with the parents of our students, and to uphold and advance the legitimate, constructive community values consistent with the nation’s highest principles and aspirations.
Second, we consider it necessary to treat each student as an individual by attempting to identify and meet particular developmental and educational needs. In doing so, we recognize that students are more than minds to be molded, and we embrace our responsibility to be more than intellectual taskmasters. Therefore, the school staff and the community acknowledge and share the obligation of providing counsel and support, as we as co- and extracurricular opportunities so that our young people become healthy, responsible adults. In turn, we expect our students to act responsibly and purposefully, respectful of both the educational process and the people working cooperatively in their behalf.
We strive to create a stimulating, supportive environment in which students become excited about learning and come to understand that they are significant, purposeful individuals able to pursue their own happiness while accepting the obligation to work for the greater good of us all.
Within an environment that challenges all to share responsibility for and assume leadership of education, the mission of Rye High School is to stimulate an enduring excitement for thinking and learning, to foster respect for the dignity and worth of all people, and to prepare for inevitable and accelerating change.
The program of curriculum and instruction at Rye High School serves a student body which plans to engage in post-secondary education or enter the career world shortly after completion of high school. Over 95% of our students enter colleges, universities, junior colleges, or other specialized schools. To meet the needs of all our students, Rye High School offers classes at the honors, regents, non-regents, and skill levels. Advanced level courses are available to qualified students. Occupational education and training for the career oriented are offered in cooperation with the Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services. Additionally, a full range of classes and assistance for students with special educational needs is available, as well as the Rye School of Leadership for those who learn more successfully in an alternative setting.
More detailed information is available in the Rye High School Course Catalogue 2005-2006 available in the high school guidance office, extensions 1940/1941.
Students who participate in school/community service are rewarded intrinsically by helping others. Rye High School recognizes the value of this experience and rewards students by giving 1/2 credit for 60 hours of participation. The credit is recorded on the student’s transcript after verification by the agency at the end of the year. During the Managing Your Future course, also required of all high school students, community service experiences are discussed and are the subject of several assignments.
The high school encourages students to sign up for school/community service in the guidance office. Service to others benefits the community and the individual.
Report cards are issued to the student four times a year: mid-November, early February, mid-April, and the end of June. The first three report cards are issued directly to students and the June report card is mailed home. Students should direct all questions regarding grades to the teacher responsible for issuing them.
Minimum passing grade is 65%.
Interim reports providing information about students; academic progress will routinely be mailed to parents at each mid-quarter point four times a year. Progress reports are mailed to the home and issued to the students at any time during the marking period at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Their purpose is to alert parents concerning unsatisfactory progress and offer specific suggestions for improvement of the student’s work OR to commend a student’s good work. The maximum benefit from these reports comes only when (1) parents contact the teacher to arrange a conference, and (2) students confer with the teacher for specific suggestions for work improvement.
Students who need extra help may see their teachers during X Period. X Period is scheduled Monday through Thursday from 2:37 to 3:00 p.m. This time is reserved exclusively for teachers to provide extra help to students. Students can make an appointment with a teacher or stop by a teacher’s classroom during X Period. Each department office will post a list of teachers and rooms. Students are encouraged to seek extra help from teachers during common free periods during the school day as well.
The Academic Intervention
Program
The main objective of the Academic Intervention Program is the elimination of failure at Rye High School. This program is an aggressive and coordinated attempt to provide help to every students who fails any subject. Any student who receives a grade of F in any subject is required to attend this program. The reasons for each student’s failure will be reviewed, and the student will either receive tutoring or be placed in a resource program in a small group and receive help in completing assignments, getting organized, and working on study skills. At mid-quarter, students’ progress will be reviewed and if the student is passing the subject that he/she was failing, the student will no longer be required to attend the program.
Students who need tutoring assistance beyond what their teachers are able to provide can get help from student tutors by going to the Tutoring Center. The coordinator of the tutoring program will match students who need help with volunteer tutors who will tutor during free periods or before or after school. All students are encouraged to volunteer to tutor or to be tutored. All the National Honor Society members will be tutoring in this program.
As one measure of a student’s or the school’s progress, a series of standardized tests are given throughout the year. Other tests are given because colleges and universities request them as part of the admissions data that is evaluated for each student. Below is the schedule of tests for the2004-2005 school year. The dates marked with an asterisk (*) are for tests given at Rye High School. The ACT and SAT I and SAT II Tests not marked with an asterisk are offered at a neighboring school district, but students must register with their Rye High School guidance counselor.
The Rye High School Code and Test Center Numbers are required on some applications.
Rye High School Code # 334970
Rye High School Test Center # 33830
| RCT | Regents Competency Test | 9th - 12th graders |
| PSAT | Preliminary Scholastic
Aptitude Tests (This is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship for juniors taking the test.) |
10th - 11th graders |
| AP | Advanced Placement Tests | 11th - 12th graders |
| SAT I/SAT II TESTS Both SAT I and II are offered on all dates with the exception of March 12 when only SAT I is given. |
ACT EXAM (Not given at Rye High School) |
*SAT I (Question-and-Answer Service available
on these dates only.)
TOEFL
Testing information for the TOEFL is availabel at the internet address
www.toefl.org. For additional information, you can also use the information
bulletin which is available in the guidance office.
Extracurricular
Activities & Sports
Extracurricular activities are an important part of the total educational program at Rye High School. The wide variety of clubs, organizations, and sports teams of Rye High School are open to any interested and eligible student. For further information, contact the Assistant Principal’s Office for the name of the person to contact.
SERVICE, GOVERNMENT, & INTERNATIONAL CLUBS
Student Council
Open to students who are interested in being involved in the student government.
Environmental Club
Members of this environment club engage in activities designed to educate
people about the ever-worsening problems facing our environment and take
action on a local level.
Fitness Club
Meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. in the
Deane Flood Fitness Center. All students are encouraged to attend and use
the aerobic and strength training equipment for the enhancement of their
individual fitness. Students will be assisted in planning pre-season sport
specific workouts or individual fitness plans.
International Club
The International Club provides American students and international students
an opportunity to meet and socialize through community service, cross cultural
and social activities. These events give students a chance to contribute
to the Rye High School community; to get to know the Rye area better, and
to learn new perspectives. In previous years, club members have participated
in a Christmas toy drive for needy children, hosted visitors from other
countries, have been active in the Rye High School recycling efforts, and
have sponsored a yearly volleyball night followed by an international supper.
The club has also visited sites of interest such as the Statue of Liberty
and enjoyed Broadway shows. Members have also hosted student guests from
the New York School for the Deaf and learned some sign language.
Model U.N.
Members concern themselves with world problems which are being discussed
in the United Nations. Student delegates research their projects and present
them for debate with other students from schools all over the east coast.
Mock Trial
Students interested in law and public affairs are encouraged to participate
with this group which conducts mock trials on a variety of issues. Students
prepare to serve as defense and prosecuting attorneys.
S.U.S.T.A.I.N. (Students Undertaking Services to Those
in Need)
A volunteer organization dedicated to helping others through community service.
Members work together on various group projects.
V.A.A.S.A. (Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse)
Meets regularly to plan programs at the elementary and middle school levels.
The use of high school athletes as role models for presentations on the
non-use of alcohol and other drugs is the theme. V.A.A.S.A. members are
specifically trained by BOCES Health Education two days per week. A pledge
to remain drug and alcohol free is mandatory.
PUBLICATIONS
El Faro
The school’s foreign language magazine consists of articles written
in French, Latin, and Spanish.
Garnet & Black
The traditional newspaper of Rye High School, Garnet & Black
reports on school and community events. Students are urged to take advantage
of this opportunity to use their writing skills and to voice their opinions.
Help is also needed in other areas not concerned with writing. Editors are
selected each spring.
Spectrum
A magazine featuring student writing. This club has been dorman in recent
years.
Stagecoach
Production of the yearbook involves year-long editorial and sales planning.
Help is needed with organization, photography, writing, design, and layout.
Zephyr
The school literary magazine is published at the close of each school
year. It includes student creative writing and art work. Students are encourage
to submit their work for consideration by the staff. Editors are chosen
each spring for the following year.
ACADEMIC AND HONOR ORGANIZATIONS
Awards Assemblies
Award assemblies occur three times a year to recognize student achievement.
Participants are needed to help plan and run each assembly.
National Honor Society
Election to the National Honor Society is based on a student’s record
of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Selection is by faculty
committee.
National Music Honor Society
This honor society is for qualified musicians who have demonstrated to the
music faculty proficiency in their major instrument or voice; who have maintained
a certain standard of academic achievement; and who have shown outstanding
qualitites of leadership, service, citizenship, and character.
Academic Challenge
Star Academic Challenge is a game-show format competition where teams from
area high schools compete in a series of fast-answer questions. The Rye
High School team consists of four players and two alternates. Practice begins
in December. The challenge competitions take place in March.
PERFORMING ARTS
Handbell Choir
The handbell choir gives many performance throughout the school year including
concerts at school, area nursing homes, the Rye Town Hilton, Doral Arrowwood,
Manhattanville College, the Met Life Building, and the Waldorf Astoria.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band performs at home football games, the Rye/Harrison football
game, school concerts, and community events and gives various other performances
throughout the school year.
Rye High School Theater
Several performances are staged during the course of the school year. Any
interested thespians are welcome to join or to try out for the various plays
and musicals presented by the club.
Stage Crew
As part of theater presentations, members of the stage crew are involved
in all productions using the stage. They work the lights and curtains and
create scenery for all plays, musicals, and concerts.
RYE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
To be eligible to play a sport, you must meet the eligibility criteria and have a physical examination on file in the health office. This examination must occur after June 1. A private physician or the school physician must complete the school’s forms. Sports physicals are given at school in June, September, November, and February. No student may even practice with a team without medical clearance from the school nurse.
Fall Sports
Cross Country, Cheerleading, Field Hockey, Football, Boys’ Soccer,
Swimming, Girls’ Tennis, Girls’ Volleyball
Winter Sports
Boys’ Basketball, Boys' Swimming, Girls’ Basketball, Gymnastics,
Ice Hockey, Indoor Track, and Wrestling
Spring Sports
Baseball, Golf, Boys’ Lacrosse, Girls’ Lacrosse, Girls’
Soccer, Softball, Boys’ Tennis, and Track and Field
2005-2006 Daily Time Schedule
Lunch Periods
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Home- room |
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5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
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| Test Date | Registration Closes | Test Date | Registration Closes |
| October 8* | September 7 | September 24, 2005 | August 19, 2005 |
| November 5 | September 30 | October 22, 2005 | Sept. 16, 2005 |
| December 3 | October 28 | December 10, 2005 | November 4, 2005 |
| January 28* | December 22 | February 11, 2006 | January 6, 2006 |
| April 1* | February 24 | April 8, 2006 | March 3, 2006 |
| May 6* | March 31 | June 10, 2006 | May 5, 2006 |
| June 3 | April 28 |
ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
b. A plan for addressing or overcoming those reasons.
c. Steps explaining how improvement will be achieved.