LA Webber Jr/Sr High School in Lyndonville NY

With a new superintendent (Barbara Deane-Williams / January 2005), Lyndonville Central School has shifted toward standard-based learning, with a focus on success for students of all levels. LA Webber Jr/Sr High has begun this transition by creating building goals that lead toward higher student examination scores and reading levels. LA Webber Jr/Sr High, located north of the town of Medina, NY in Orleans County, maintains an average graduating class of 60 students.

LA Webber Jr/Sr High offers a variety of classes and tracks for students. In addition to all state mandated courses, advanced mathematics, as well as advanced Spanish, and entrepreneurship classes are offered. The arts curriculum is made up of classes such as, band, chorus, photography and painting. The school just received a large grant which will allow a state-of-the-art distance learning facility to be created on-site to house many elective and advanced courses.

Athletic opportunities (at the modified, JV and Varsity levels) include: soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and track and field. Extra-curricular activities include: Student Council, Academic Decathlon, Primary Helpers, ski club, weightlifting club, sportsmen's club, and business club. Academic eligibility policies are in place for grades 5 - 12, which helps to encourage students to work hard in the classroom before they are able to work hard on the field / court.

Teachers in grades 7 - 12 participate in K12planet.com, which is an online grade reporting system. It allows teachers to upload grades and assignments in order for parents to access from any computer with Internet access. The school provides parents with passwords and sign-on names, allowing them to see incomplete assignments, as well as grades for every assignment completed.

In order to increase student achievement, several things have been implemented in recent years. Workshops, taken everyday or every other day, are offered for students struggling in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, and social studies. In grades 5 - 8, Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are available in ELA and mathematics, with double periods given in math every other day for all students. The Academic Center, new in 2005 - 2006, allows teachers to send work for students, be it make-up work, unfinished exams or other assignments, to one of three computer labs for the student to complete during a study hall time. As previously mentioned, academic eligibility policies for grades 5 - 12 help encourage students to focus on academics before extra-curricular activities.

One parent, who moved into the district this year with two sons, was thrilled with her decision. "It is so obvious how much the staff has made my children feel welcome," she wrote in a letter to the school. "We never imagined it'd be such an easy transition," she continued. "Thank you for helping my sons succeed in fitting in, and helping to bring them up to grade level," she finished. This is just one of the many success stories at LA Webber Jr/Sr High.

New Superintendent Deane-Williams has helped to focus on Special Education services, helping to incorporate new ideas and strategies to increase student success in all areas. The district also provides many opportunities to staff for continuous professional development. This western NY public school has worked hard to improve Regents examination scores and graduation rates. Whether it's teachers donating time to help students study for exams or staff members going on home visits to meet with parents and families, this district aims to help all students achieve the goal of graduation.