Elmont Memorial High School

Elmont Memorial High School (EMHS) is a co-educational, public high school founded in 1956 for students in grades 7–12 in the hamlet of Elmont, Long Island, New York, in Nassau County, United States. The school is one of five secondary schools of the Sewanhaka Central High School District.

Elmont Memorial High School
Address
555 Ridge Road

Elmont
,
Nassau County
,
New York

United States
Coordinates40°41′50″N 73°43′06″W
Information
TypeComprehensive school
Established1956
School districtSewanhaka Central High School District
NCES School ID3626520[1]
PrincipalMarya Baker
Faculty109.0 FTEs[1]
Grades7–12
Enrollment1,054 (as of 2023-2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio15.0:1[1]
CampusSuburban
Color(s)Green and White
Team nameSpartans
NewspaperElmont Phoenix
YearbookLOG
Websitehttps://www.sewanhakaschools.org/o/elm

As of the 2018–19 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,640 students and 109.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.0:1. There were 620 students (37.8% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 153 (9.3% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[1]

Its school newspaper is known as the "Elmont Phoenix". Elmont High School's mascot is the Spartan. Its school colors are green and white. The school's current principal is Marya Baker. Elmont High School is part of the Sewanhaka Central High School District.

Awards and recognition

During the 1990–93 school year, Elmont Memorial High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education,[2] the highest award an American school can receive.[3][4]

In 2005, Elmont High School was recognized as having the largest number of African American high school students scoring a 3 or higher on Advanced Placement examinations in the country.

Elmont HS was also recognized by the College Board as having the largest number of African American students attaining a 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement U.S. History exam in the country.[5]

Elmont Memorial from 1995–2006 had a 97% graduation rate, and in 2004 achieved a 100% graduation rate, a first in the Sewanhaka Central District.

Elmont Memorial also won the 2013 District Sports Night. This is the first time the school has won since 1997.

Faculty & Staff

In August 2022, Principal Dougherty went on a sabbatical leave for unknown reasons and returned on October 11, 2022.[6] Principal Dougherty resigned as Principal at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.[7]

Academics

(adapted from the Sewanhaka Central High School District Catalog of Courses)

Levels of Study

Students may pursue one of two levels of study:

  • Advanced: This is an accelerated program of instruction in which students are expected to maintain a grade point average of at least 85% to continue to the next advanced course in the sequence.
  • Regents: Students pursue courses in the curriculum prescribed by the New York State Department of Education.

Grades 7 and 8

  • Students are organized into "teams" including the Lions (Regular), Hurricanes (Regular), and Direwolves (Advanced). Teams are composed of students and core teachers in math, science, English, and social studies. This allows for the individual attention necessary for success at an early stage in secondary education.
  • During the junior high school years, students pursue studies in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Languages, Music, Physical Education, Art, Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Education, Woodshop and Language Enrichment, as well as vocational studies. High school credit is awarded to eighth graders that pursue advanced coursework in science, mathematics, foreign language, and music.
  • Teams include Advanced and Regular students. The regular team is divided into two separate teams based on students' last name.

Grades 9-12

  • High school coursework is designed to fulfill requirements necessary for students interested in attending two-year colleges, four-year colleges, vocational schools, nursing programs, etc. Students receive either a Regents Diploma or Advanced Regents Diploma upon graduation.
  • Sciences

Students must pursue at least three years of science coursework and must pass one New York State Regents examination for the Regents Diploma or two Regents examinations for the Advanced Regents Diploma. Courses of study include (note that courses may be pursued at either the Regents or Advanced levels): Physical Setting: Earth Science, Living Environment/Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology, Marine Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Science Research.

  • Foreign Languages

Students must pursue at least two years of a foreign language, beginning at the junior high school level. Students may pursue study up to the college level (credit offered through Adelphi University) and Advanced Placement. Languages offered include Spanish, French, and Italian. Students must pass a Foreign Language Regents for the Advanced Regents Diploma. Since the 2006-2007 school year, seventh grade students take a mini foreign language course.

  • Mathematics

Students must pursue at least three years of coursework in mathematics. Students must pass the Comprehensive Math A examination for a Regents Diploma or two Regents examinations for an Advanced Regents Diploma. Coursework includes: Integrated Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Sequential Math III, Math 12, Discrete Math, Advanced Placement Statistics, and Advanced Placement Calculus AB.

  • English

Students must pursue English during all four High School years. Students must also pass the English Regents examination. Coursework includes: English 9/9A, 10/10A, 11, English AP Language and Composition, 12RX, English AP Literature and Composition, Bible as Literature, Contemporary Drama, Creative Writing, Film Study, Mass Media, Modern Novel, Dramatics, Journalism, Public Speaking.

  • Social Studies

Students must pursue Social Studies during all four high school years. All students must pass the Global Studies and U.S. History and Government Regents examinations. Courses include Global History I and Geography, Global History II and Geography, Advanced Placement World History, Advanced Placement European History, United States History and Government, Advanced Placement American History, Economics, Participation in Government, Advanced Placement Govt. and Politics, Contemporary World Issues, Global Connections, Psychology, Sociology.

  • Art

Students are required to pursue at least one year of art. Coursework includes Studio in Art, Drawing and Painting I and II, Illustration and Design, Media Arts, Digital Design, Advanced Placement Art History.

  • Business Education

Coursework is offered in Accounting, Introduction to Occupations, Business Communications, Keyboarding I and II, Personal Finance, Business Analysis, Business Law, Speedwriting, Principles of Marketing, E-Commerce, etc.

  • Advanced Placement

Students interested in pursuing coursework at the Advanced Placement level must have at least an 85 average in their current course of study. AP coursework is available in: Biology, Physics B, Chemistry, Art History, European History, American History, World History, Language and Composition, Literature and Composition, Calculus AB, Spanish, French, Italian, and Government and Politics.

Music

The school has several performing arts groups, and credit is given for students in these groups. They include (note that there are separate groups at each school level):

  • Orchestra (at the High School or Junior High School level)
  • Concert Band (at the High School, 9th Grade, and Junior High School levels)
  • Concert Choir (at the High School and Junior High School levels)
  • Jazz Band
  • Jazz Choir
  • String Ensemble
  • Marching Band

Students perform each year during the Winter and Spring Concerts, local events, and music competitions. Some students participate in their respective musical groups at the All-District, All-County, Long Island Invitational, and All-State levels, or join the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Students may also pursue coursework in Music Theory.

Each year the Music Department puts on two theatre productions, a drama and a musical. Musicals the school has performed in the past include Dreamgirls, Les Misérables, The Wiz, Once On This Island, Aida, and Guys and Dolls.

Athletics

Elmont High School's football team were district champions for three years. The mascot of EMHS is the Spartans. Sports are offered at the Junior High, Junior Varsity, and Varsity levels and include:

  • Track and Field
  • Cheerleading (Junior High [7th and 8th grade], Junior Varsity [9th and 10th grade], and Varsity [11th and 12th grade])
  • Weight Lifting

Students from all five schools in the Sewanhaka Central High School District participate in District Sports Night, a competition between schools.

Extracurricular activities

Other extracurricular groups include:

  • Student Government
  • Government Watchers
  • The Inspirational Writers
  • Foreign Language Teachers of Tomorrow
  • Latino Leaders
  • Pride Club
  • Graphic design
  • Photography and Film
  • Elmont Artisans
  • Elmont Step and Dance Teams
  • Color Guard / Flag Squad
  • Domestic Exchange Club
  • Social Science

Notable alumni

References
  1. School data for Elmont Memorial High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed September 1, 2020.
  2. Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.
  3. "CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department". Journal Inquirer. November 16, 2006. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2006. The award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve.
  4. Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; The Washington Post. September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
  5. Fischler, Marcelle S. "Long Island Journal; Battling Stereotypes With High Test Scores", The New York Times, February 20, 2005. Accessed December 16, 2020. "Elmont had the largest number of black students in the country to score so high on the exam, according to the College Board, which administers the A.P. program.... Trevor Packer, the executive director of the College Board's Advanced Placement program, said Elmont 'leads Long Island in having a greater number of African-American students scoring three or higher across all their A.P. subjects.'"
  6. "Beloved Elmont Memorial H.S. principal returns to school following mysterious leave". News 12 - Long Island. October 11, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  7. "Reinstated Elmont Memorial H.S. principal to leave the district in June". News 12 - Long Island. April 14, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  8. Strickland, Carol. "Novelist Uses The Island's Gold Coast As A Setting For A Clash of Cultures", The New York Times, April 8, 1990. Accessed December 16, 2020. "Mr. De Mille was born in Jamaica, Queens, and educated at Elmont High School and Hofstra University, and so he knows the area well, although he calls himself a member in good standing of the middle class."
  9. "Rich the Kid Twitter".
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