Innovations at Glenbrook South make classes stimulating.

a 1983 graduate now attending Brown University, "it's that putting money into education is worthwhile."

The district has spared little expense in making learning attractive. The sleek two-story structure offers an indoor swimming pool and a greenhouse for its 2,100 students.

The curriculum guide, which exceeds 100 pages, offers more than 200 courses, ranging from automotive re­pair to a special program of advanced study in English, social studies and foreign languages. A full time student-activities co-ordinator surveys students annually to see which extracurricular clubs should be expanded or dropped.

Ready funding also has enabled the school to be at the forefront of educational innovations. The first computer was installed at Glenbrook South in 1968. Today, the school has a microcomputer lab with 22 computers, a minicomputer with 24 terminals and one of the few advanced-placement computer-science courses in the nation. Students can even use computers to compose music or simulate scientific experiments.

"There is something here for every student," says Associate Principal David Smith. "We put as much emphasis on the lower-level student as on the gifted student."

Success-oriented. Like the community in which it is located, Glenbrook South is geared toward success. More than 80 percent of last year's graduates went on to two and four-year colleges. "The kids are achievers because their parents are all achievers," says senior Stephanie Cotell. "Everybody is really motivated."

The emphasis on achievement at home and school presents problems for many students in their first year. To help young people cope, the school since 1973 has offered a peer-group counseling program in which upper-classmen help freshmen deal with personal and academic adjustments. More than two thirds of the freshmen participate.

Students also appreciate the individual attention many teachers give. Says Lisa Kivirist, student-council president: "A teacher I had for freshman history still keeps in touch with me and asks how I'm doing. I like that."

Because of the bounteous working environment and an attractive to/> salary of about $42,000 for teachers, the staff turnover rate is low. But an emphasis on innovation, with the financial wherewithal to support it, keeps staff stability from turning stale.

"Things are constantly changing around here," says English teacher Tom Valentin. "There's always a new approach, a new program. We're always aiming a little higher, pushing for improvement."

By LUCIA SOLORZANO witr JUANITA R HOGUE, SARAH PETERSON, DOUGLAS С LYONS and MICHAEL BOSC

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Aug. 27, 1984

honors program: special program for more academically-minded students.

EDUCATION 197

An American Senior High School

An American student talks about his high school

Quincy Senior High School, Quincy, Illinois

Quincy, Illinois, is a typical midwestern town of about 50,000 inhabitants. It is.situated 120 miles north of St. Louis, thenearest big city. Quincy Senior High with a student population of 1,900 is the only public senior high school in the town and it also draws students from the surrounding region.

Q: Alan, which high school do you attend?

A:I attend Quincy Senior High School m Quincy, Illinois. I've been there for four years, and I'm in the twelfth grade.

0: What are the subjects required in your four years of high school?

A:Well, in my four years of high school I have to complete twenty credits, one in math, three in history, three in English, three and a half in P.E., a half in health and one year of science. And that adds up to twelve credits. The other eight were optional and I could take more of any one subject such as math, history or I could take other subjects such as psy­chology or computers, or so on.

Q: And what are your subjects now?

A:My present subjects now are math, English, German, computers, business law and one study hour which normally would be P.E. But I run track after school and so therefore I take a study hall instead of P.E.

Besides sports there are also several other activities after school such as band, drama club, theater, chess club, many other clubs such as German club and Spanish club and so forth.

Q: What does your schedule look like?

A:Well, I attend school between Y^O and 2.20 every day and in that time period I have" six hour-classes and a thirty-minute break for lunch. And between each class I've five-minute breaks.

Q: Can you tell me anything about the tests and examin­ations at your school?

A:Well, we have many different kinds of tests. Usually we have essay tests, multiple choice tests. Then there are other tests such as quizzes and oral examinations such as book reports and speeches and such.

Q: What about homework?

A:It's differentwith every teacher. Some teachers like to give lots of homework and others don't give that much. !t just depends upon their teaching style.

Q: How do teachers evaluate the performance of students?

A:Well, usually a teacher evaluates^the performance by written tests equalling fifty per cent of the grade, oral tests and quizzes as forty per cent and homework as ten per cent. And then usually we write a large paper twice a year called the term paper and that also adds mto the grade.

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