Wednesday, May 9, 2012

NBHS provides opportunities for academic success by Carol Strupczewski


Why select New Bedford High School as your child's high school? There are a number of good reasons.

New Bedford High School offers a very diverse curriculum to prepare students with a solid foundation for whatever field of study he or she wishes to pursue, such as medical, business, environmental, teaching or technology. Graduates are prepared to meet the challenges ahead, whether going on to higher education, entering the workforce, or going into the military.

Today, as in the past, students from New Bedford High School are being accepted into Ivy League colleges, as well as other top notch colleges and universities. Last year's graduating class, of which 84 percent of the students went on to college, students were accepted into colleges throughout the country such as Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Marquette University, Syracuse University and Hawaii International College, as well as our fine area universities and colleges UMass Dartmouth, Bridgewater State University, and Bristol Community College, just to name a few. This year, a senior received early acceptance into Brown University and another has been accepted at Georgetown University.

Here are some more reasons for selecting New Bedford High School:
  • It offers more Advanced Placement classes than any of the other area high schools. At the end of the school year, students who receive a 3 or better on their AP exam may receive college credits and may or may not have to take the subject in college.
  • Beginning in Grade 9, students may select core academics at Pre-AP level fully preparing them for the rigors of AP classes.
  • The dual enrollment program with UMD and BCC gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college courses and receive both high school and college credits.
  • The Internship program comprises four different pathways: Arts and Communication, Business, Engineering, and Health and Human Services. About 100 seniors are enrolled in this program doing their internships throughout the community in various fields.
  • The Entrepreneur program, offered to Grades 10 to 12, gives students the hand-on experience of creating and operating their own business. This program received national recognition and is also offered after school.
  • On April 28, students in the robotics class of the Engineering Academy won fist place in three areas: Engineering Evaluation, Mission and Overall for the Competition at MAT ROV New England Regional. During the week of April 11, they came in ninth place in the country at SeaPerch National Challenge in Virginia. This year, for the third year, students in the robotics class will be participating in International MAT ROV competition.

New Bedford High School has the oldest continuous operating Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program in the country. Some of the highlights for the JROTC are:
  • Last year four students who completed four years of JROTC instruction received full four-year scholarships to the colleges of their choice from the Army.
  • For the past three years, some cadets in the program participated in National Academic competition at George Mason University. New Bedford High School's JROTC was the only high school in all of New England to be invited to participate in this event.
  • In the 2011 class, 98 percent of the senior JROTC cadets graduated.

In addition to the academic offerings, the high school offers instruction in practical experience disciplines: banking, culinary arts, carpentry, fine and performing arts, TV production; as well as computer programming, repairs, and networking; and child care, Certified Nursing Assistant, and EMT, which lead to certification.

The high school has many Division 1 teams for freshmen, junior varsity and varsity for males and females. There are nearly 40 extracurricular clubs such as Drama Club, Debate Team, Sailing Club and Rowing Club. Students who wish to take a leadership role may run for class office or student representative.
As I mentioned at the beginning, New Bedford High School offers many choices and activities to fulfill the needs of all students who enter its doors. So many options, so many choices, New Bedford High School has something for everyone.

Carol Strupczewski, a former teacher at New Bedford High School


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well said! Thank you Carol!

Anonymous said...

Great letter, Carol!!!
NBHS seems to always get a bad rap!

Anonymous said...

Oh come on Carol! Nothing goes on at NBHS. We just carry our weapons to protect us from the rival gangs that roam the halls at will. We have break time, drink coffee all day, and really don't do much but collect paychecks that we don't deserve. Isn't that what the ST and companies are implying? I know that I bust my backside for my kids and community. My kids know it too. They try to do what is asked, but there is so much junk that gets in their way, some their fault. They'll tell you if you listen.

Anonymous said...

AP at NBHS=Excellent Prep for the Exams and college...my son is a NBHS grad now in college...took three AP Tests for FREE...scored well on all 3 and enjoyed course credit and class exemptions...he also was given a writing course waiver after scoring well on the required writing exam. He was not a member of the National Honor Society, but he now makes the Dean's List while having a double major. GO NBHS!!!