Jesse O. Sanderson High School 2015-16 High School Profile 5500 Dixon Drive ~ Raleigh, NC 27609 ~ 919-881-4800 ~ www.sandersonhs.org
Student Services office: 919-881-4820 Student Services fax: 919-881-4814 Principal: Dr. Gregory Decker Dean of Student Services: Leandra Carpino Professional School Counselors: Michael Grabiec, Molly Avery, David Donatini, Brenda Young CEEB Code: 343213
Sanderson High School Mission Statement The purpose of the Sanderson Community is to identify and address the unique learning needs of the individual. School and Community Jesse O. Sanderson High School, established in 1968, is one of 29 high schools in the Wake County Public School System. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Located in a predominantly middle income community in the north central part of the capital city, the students have immediate access to a major land-grant university, five liberal arts colleges, and a community college. Also within a thirty-mile radius are two other major universities, other community colleges, and the Research Triangle Park. Faculty and Staff Our professional staff of 136 is committed to excellence, as they work to prepare our students to achieve their future educational and career goals. One hundred percent of our staff is certified in their subject areas. One hundred percent of our courses are taught by teachers who are certified in their subject area and 29 of our teachers are National Board Certified. Student Body Data Our student body is a culturally diverse population of 2000 that is 53% white, 25% African-American, 16% Hispanic, 3% Asian, 1% American Indian, 3% multi-racial. Our Senior Class of 2015 had 480 students of which 54% matriculated to a four-year college or university, 37% to a community college or trade school, and 9% to the military or the work force. The current Senior Class of 2016 has approximately 449 students. Curriculum The academic program is organized on a 4x4 block schedule. Four credits per semester is the maximum course load. Every student has the opportunity to earn 8 credits in an academic school year. All students entering high school in North Carolina in 2009 or later are on the Future Ready Core Graduation track. Each of these students must earn 26 credits to graduate: 4 in English, 4 in Math, 4 in Social Studies, 3 in Science, 1 in Healthful Living, and 10 elective credits. These AP® courses are offered: Biology, Calculus AB and BC, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, Human Geography, Music Theory, Psychology, Spanish Language, Statistics, Studio Art-2D Design, United States History. Over 60 Honors classes are offered in English, math, science, social studies, the arts, JROTC, career and technical education, and world languages. Grading and Class Ranking Transcripts include both weighted and unweighted cumulative grade-point averages. Rank is determined by cumulative weighted grade-point average and is calculated at the end of each semester. To compute grade-point average, the total number of quality points earned is divided by the total number of units of credit attempted, and the results are rounded to the third decimal place. Prior to 2015-16, the grading scale was the following: A = 93-100; B = 85-92; C = 77-84; D = 70-76; F = 0-69. Beginning with 2015-16, the scale is as follows: A = 90—100; B = 80—90; C = 70—80; D = 60—70; F = 0—59. Final grades are posted on student transcripts as letter grades. Each nine weeks, grades are issued to students in every class on their report cards. Quality points are determined by the following scale: A = 4 points in a 1.00 credit courseB = 3 points in a 1.00 credit course C = 2 points in a 1.00 credit courseD = 1 points in a 1.00 credit course F = 0 points in a 1.00 credit courseWP = Withdrawal Passing WP = Withdrawal PassingINC = IncompleteAUD = Audited course
Please note: Advanced Placement and Honors courses are weighted: +1 quality point for Honors courses, and +2 quality points for AP courses. Standardized Test Results In the 2014-15 school year, 251 students took the SAT. The average Critical Reading score was 520, average math score was 530, and the average writing score was 490. In the 2014-15 school year 405 students took the ACT at Sanderson. The mean composite score was 19.5. Other mean scores were: English 17.7, Math 20.4, Reading 19.3, Science 20.0. Athletic Program Athletics plays an important part in the life of Sanderson students by teaching life lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, and competition. Sanderson is a member of the CAP 8 Conference. Both boys and girls have the opportunity to participate in cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field. Boys may also participate in football, baseball, and wrestling. Additionally, girls have the opportunity to participate in cheerleading, gymnastics, softball, and volleyball. Clubs and Extracurricular Activities Students are encouraged to participate in activities outside of the classroom. Sanderson offers an array of extracurricular activities in which students may become involved: JROTC, marching band, vocal music, theatre, student council, academic clubs and competitions, SHS Business Alliance, chess club, book club, speech and debate team, DECA, FCA, FBLA, International Club, Key Club, SADD, Odyssey of the Mind, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Young Democrats, Young Republicans, and world languages clubs.