SPAN: August 1996

For the past year, ORHS has been preparing a self-study report for submission no later than January 1, 1997, to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). A private, non-profit organization, the association's purposes are a) to establish and maintain high educational standards, and b) utilize assessment processes which focus on institutional evaluation and self-improvement. During this self-study, faculty, students, administrators, and members of the public have assessed the high school's educational program against NEASC standards.

NEASC evaluators will make an on-site visit during April 13-16 to assess the school's adherence to the identified standards. This committee will review the findings and make recommendations for improvement. The high school is then responsible to design short/long term plans to address these recommendations. Below is the statement of purpose developed by the high school in preparation for this evaluation, followed by performance expectations on page 4.

HIGH SCHOOL ~ STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

We, as members of our school community, create an atmosphere of learning as diverse as each student is unique. Our school values all students equally, and wishes for all students to have a positive self-concept and high aspirations.

All students can learn and learning is a lifelong process. Because we recognize the future will bring changes, our school equips all of us to handle these changes and to continue to learn and evolve as members of the world community. An openness exists between the school and the outside world and between adolescent and adult learners. We acquire knowledge from a variety of sources to meet the intellectual, artistic, and practical dimensions of our education. All of us value and enjoy the learning process and are comfortable with taking risks, trying new ideas, and learning in new ways.

We are committed to high academic and performance standards. Our school accepts the diversity of students' talents and styles, nourishing their potential as individuals and embracing a variety of ways for them to explore and demonstrate what they know and are able to do. Our school is a support system to encourage and guide students. We promote, facilitate, and acknowledge involvement in activities and interests beyond academics, as they are an invaluable part of the learning experience.

Individual rights are inseparable from individual responsibilities. Our school fosters mutual trust and respect and holds all persons responsible for the welfare of the school community.

To create a learning community in which its members:

• view learning as a lifetime endeavor,
• engage as partners in learning
• use their abilities fully,
• acquire and value knowledge,
• function effectively as citizens in a changing environment,
• foster self-respect and respect for others.

Our vision for ORHS will be fulfilled when our students:

• Academic Expectations:
  • Master those skills which promote a dedication to lifelong learning.

  • Demonstrate technology/computer use as a necessary tool to assist creative and problem-solving learning activities.

  • Understand the creative process as the ability to explore, question, initiate, and develop ideas into new inventive solutions.

  • Develop the desire and the ability to achieve personal, academic, and physical goals to their maximum potential.

  • Acquire a broad perception and knowledge of the United States and the world and an appreciation for their culture.

  • Synthesize knowledge acquired in the classroom with information sources to formulate new ideas and facilitate critical thinking.

• Social/Personal Expectations:
  • Work as cooperative and independent learners and as contributing members of a working community.

  • Develop a positive self-image, a strong respect for one's self and for others, and a respect for the values of one's educational opportunities.

  • Develop an awareness of the relationship between rights and responsibilities and an acceptance of consequences for one's own actions.

  • Appreciate the value of and participate in all aspects of the school community, social as well as academic, balancing the demands of academic responsibility with social and extracurricular activities.

  • Place a priority on balancing one's personal, physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Our vision for ORHS will be fulfilled when our school community is able to:

• School Performance Expectations:
  • Offer a broad, challenging curriculum that meets the needs of all students and prepares them for the demands of a rapidly changing society.

  • Enhance student transition from grade eight to post graduation.

  • Encourage students to stay in school, providing them with counselors and other needed support services.

  • Maintain, repair and use facilities and equipment optimally, and provide necessary expansion of all district facilities.

Span Front Page

Last update on 31-Mar-99 at 10:04 PM.

http://www.orol.org/district/orgs/board/span/aug96/orhs.html

This page is edited by David K. Taylor. Please send questions or comments to editor@orol.org.