KENNETT HIGH SCHOOL
100 East South Street
Kennett Square, PA  19348-3654
610-444-6620
Fax: 610-444-7013
Web Page: http://khs.kcsd.org
CEEB Code:  392005

Dr. Michael A. Barber, Principal
Raymond A. Fernandez, Assistant Principal
Dr.Tomorrow S. Jenkins, Assistant Principal
Jeffery J. Thomas, Athletic Director
Lorenzo G. DeAngelis, Dean of Students

Jeanne Hutton, Guidance Director A-C
Colleen Allen, Guidance Counselor D-K
Diana Wildermuth, Guidance Counselor L-Q
Francis Ryan, Guidance Counselor R-Z

Guidance Office: 610-444-6636
Guidance Fax:    610-444-6132

Profile 2009 - 2010

Accredited by:  Commission on Secondary Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Community:  Rural-suburban.  Within 28 miles of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 12 miles north of Wilmington, Delaware.
Ethnic Demographics:  59% White, 34% Hispanic, 4% African American, 3% Asian;  29% FARM
Enrollment:  1,294 pupils – grades 9-12 (2009-2010).
Faculty:  99 Professional staff; 65 percent with a Masters degree or higher.
Graduation Requirements: 25.2 credits (4 English, 4 Social Studies, 4 Math, 4 Science, 8 Electives, 1.2 Health/Physical Education and completion of a culminating graduation project).  Must be completed in grades 9-12.
Calendar:  Two semesters

Class of 2009:  261 graduates    Class of 2009 SAT Averages:  Verbal = 500   Math = 498   Writing = 487
National Merit Finalists: 1      National Merit Semifinalists:  1     National Merit Commended:  3
AP Scholars: 15     AP Scholars with Honor: 11     AP Scholars with Distinction: 9
Total # of AP exams administered: 323     Total # of students enrolled in AP courses: 184     Mean AP score: 3.42

College Admissions Class of 2009: Four-year colleges – 55%; junior colleges, community colleges, technical schools – 25 %.  Total continuing education beyond high school – 80%.   Employment - 10%; military - 2%; other - 8%.

Class of 2010:  291 pupils

National Merit Semi Finalists:  3    National Merit Commended: 8 National Hispanic Recognition Program: 1

Distribution of Cumulative Grade Point Average:
80th percentile   3.82     60th percentile   3.44     40th percentile   2.78     20th percentile   2.36

Grading System

Explanation of Grades, G.P.A. & Ranking

A+=100-97 (4.33 QP’s); A=96-93 (4.0 QP’s); A-=92-90 (3.67 QP’s); B+=89-87 (3.33 QP’s); B=86-83 (3.0 QP’s); B-=82-80 (2.67 QP’s);  C+=79-77 (2.33 QP’s); C=76-73 (2.0 QP’s); C-=72-70 (1.67 QP’s); D+=69-67 (1.33 QP’s); D=66-60 (1.0 QP’s); X=59-50 (0.0 QP’s); Y=Below 50 (-1.0 QP’s).

Additional .5 quality point awarded to passing grades earned in labeled Honors courses.  Additional 1.0 quality point awarded to passing grades in labeled AP courses.
All courses were included in GPA.   All students were included in numerical rank. Rank calculated at the end of the academic year.

No numerical distinction is made between students ranking in the top 5% of the class.
Honors and AP courses are weighted.

Curriculum Descriptive Information

Two Semesters, 8 periods – 41 minutes each.  Placement in core curriculum is based on teacher recommendation.  Students may override recommendations to enroll in Honors and AP classes.  All students are encouraged to challenge themselves by studying the most rigorous levels of courses in which they achieve successfully.

Graduation Project

All students complete a culminating graduation project that focuses on career exploration.  Projects must include identification of student interests, inquiry and research into a career path, completion of an essay, involvement in 40 hours of community service,  and presentation of project, which must incorporate technology, to faculty advisors.  It is noncredit and its completion is designated in either the junior or senior year as GPN-not completed, GPC-completed, or GPH-completed with commendation.

Special Services

Academically Talented  (AT) is a state-mandated program for gifted students.  A multi-criteria format is used to determine eligibility for the program, including evidence of superior performance on aptitude and achievement assessments.  This program gives AT students the opportunity to meet their educational needs with the regular course curricula or by completing independent projects.  AT students meet regularly with a designated mentor in a seminar setting.
Special Education students who have been evaluated and identified as meeting the state’s definition of Special Education are provided with accommodations according to individual IEP’s.  Most frequently, these services are learning support in a resource setting, modified curriculum, direct skill instruction, and hearing, speech, and physical therapies. Special education courses are titled Resource Room, Modified or Practical. 

Honors And Advanced Placement

Students requesting Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses should have performed consistently at a B level or higher in the related subject during the previous year, have received designated teacher recommendations, and completed prerequisite assignments.  Grades earned in Honors courses are weighted with an additional .5 quality point.  Grades earned in Advanced Placement courses are weighted with an additional 1.0 quality point.  Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take AP exams. 

English

Advanced Placement English Literature is offered to seniors who have completed Honors English 11 and to other recommended students.  Honors Survey (9th), World (10th), American (11th) and British (12th) Literature courses are designed to challenge academically motivated, high-achieving students.  Advanced Literature courses are designed for college bound students.  Both levels emphasize literature analysis, the writing process, and vocabulary development.  Entrance into these classes is dependent upon A or B level achievement and teacher recommendation.

Social Studies

The Social Studies sequence is World Studies I, World Studies II, American Studies, Economics and American Government.  Honors courses are taught in World Studies I, World Studies II, and Economics.  AP U.S. History and AP American Government  can fulfill the American Studies and American Government requirements.  AP European is an elective choice for students in tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade.

Mathematics

The most rigorous mathematics sequence, beginning with Algebra in eighth grade, permits students to study AP Calculus (AB and BC) or Calculus in twelfth grade.  The traditional college preparatory mathematics sequence concludes with Mathematics Analysis in twelfth grade.  Because of student transfers or development in mathematics, it is possible for students to have some courses in both sequences.  AP Statistics is an elective choice for students who have successfully completed Algebra II.

Science

Ninth graders complete Earth and Space Science or, with teacher recommendation, Honors Earth and Space.  Tenth graders complete Biology or, with teacher recommendation, Honors Biology.  Eleventh graders complete Chemistry, or, with teacher recommendation, Honors Chemistry.  Both levels of science courses offer similar topics and labs.  Twelfth graders complete Physics or, with teacher recommendation, Honors Physics or AP Physics.  Students may elect AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Computer Science.  Some students are able to enroll in two science courses within the same year.  It is almost impossible to schedule more than two.

World Languages

There are no Honors level I languages.  There are no regular level  II–IV languages, only Honors level or AP.  Students may begin their study of a world language in eighth grade.

English As A Second Language

ESL – students whose first language is one other than English are eligible for support services through the ESL program.  A language skills assessment will determine English fluency.   Students will then receive direct instruction in English language and reading.  ESL social studies was discontinued in 2007-08.  As students master English, they will continue to receive academic support.  Students are exited from the ESL instructional program based on federal assessment guidelines.

Elective Curriculum Offerings

All courses are one or two semesters in length.  The curriculum is supported by a full range of offerings in Business Education, Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Technology, Fine Arts, and Music.  Approximately 9% of the student body attends the Center for Arts and Technology or the Chester County Technical College High School regional technical schools.