Abington Senior High School
Encyclopedia
Abington Senior High School is a three-year co-educational high school in Abington
, Pennsylvania
. The school was a two-year high school known as Abington South Campus until June 1983. In September 1984, Abington South Campus became a three-year high school (grades 10 through 12) and eventually changed its name to Abington Senior High. As of 2010, the current enrollment is 1,925 and the school principal is Dr. Jeffery Fecher. Abington students are leaders in PSSA scores in the state of Pennsylvania and have won technology-oriented awards from Dell
and Microsoft
.
(4), social studies
(4), mathematics
(3), science (3), arts and humanities
(1), additional electives (4.6), and physical education
/health (1.4).
AP United States History
, AP Biology
, AP Calculus AB & BC
, AP Physics B
, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
, AP Physics C: Mechanics
, AP French
, AP German
, AP Spanish Language
, AP Statistics
, AP Environmental Science
, AP Chemistry
, AP Computer Science A & AB
, AP English
, AP Studio Art
, AP US Government and Politics, AP Music Theory
, AP Macroeconomics
, and AP Microeconomics
.
, who visited Abington Senior High School in 1930.
has an enrollment of 7,436 pupils.
The Abington School District was involved in a famous legal case relating to prayer in school, Abington School District v. Schempp
, which was heard in the United States Supreme Court on February 27–28, 1963. The ruling handed down on June 17, 1963 decided 8–1 in favor of the respondent, Edward Schempp, and declared school-sponsored Bible reading in public schools to be an unconstitutional violation of the separation of Church and State
. The Chief Justice presiding over the case was Earl Warren
.
The school district was also involved in a small scale legal case in 2003 when a number of students had planned a professional-styled wrestling event for charity. The event was organized as part of a 'senior project' and was to take place on March 29, 2003 in the gymnasium. Two days prior to the event, principal Robert Burt revoked the building permit for the event, claiming he had no knowledge of the permit which was signed and had crossed his desk. The students arranged for paid professional independent wrestlers as well as a full sized professional wrestling ring. After a court hearing on Sept. 12, 2003. District Judge Juanita A. Price ruled in favor of a judgement to reimburse the students for their prepaid costs. The incident incited local notoriety and fueled heated arguments at the local school board meeting.
in 1998–99 school year. Abington was a National Service Learning Leader School in 1998 and 2001.
In 2008–2009, Abington won the "Triple Crown" of awards for public school districts in the United States. In 2008, America's Promise Alliance
named Abington one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People" for the third year. Shortly thereafter, Money Magazine
/CNN
named Abington as one of the "Top 100 Best Places to Live" in America. In its 2009 list of America's Best High Schools, U.S. News & World Report
awarded Abington Senior High School a bronze medal.
First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at Abington Senior High School on March 13, 2008, and President Barack Obama spoke at Abington Senior High School on October 3, 2008.
, an alumnus of the school.
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 55,310 in as of the 2010 census.Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities dating back to before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704. It is home to some of the county's...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The school was a two-year high school known as Abington South Campus until June 1983. In September 1984, Abington South Campus became a three-year high school (grades 10 through 12) and eventually changed its name to Abington Senior High. As of 2010, the current enrollment is 1,925 and the school principal is Dr. Jeffery Fecher. Abington students are leaders in PSSA scores in the state of Pennsylvania and have won technology-oriented awards from Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
and Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
.
Demographics
The 2009–2010 enrollment is 1,925 pupils with 631 in the senior class. The school has 142 faculty members. The racial make-up of the student body is: 72.75% White; 18.19% Black; 1.82% Hispanic or Latino, 6.93% Asian or Pacific Islander, 0.31% Native American or Native Alaskan. 7.8% of the students are eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch.Graduation requirements
Graduation Requirements: A minimum of 210 points (21 units) in grades 9–12 and the following course units: englishEnglish studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
(4), social studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
(4), mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
(3), science (3), arts and humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
(1), additional electives (4.6), and physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
/health (1.4).
Graduation project
By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor, and its expectations are set by the individual school district.Advanced placement
A total of 127 candidates took 243 AP Examinations in May 2005 (8% scored 3 or higher). AP courses currently offered at the high school include:AP United States History
AP United States History
Advanced Placement United States History is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program...
, AP Biology
AP Biology
In the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
, AP Calculus AB & BC
AP Calculus
Advanced Placement Calculus is used to indicate one of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC....
, AP Physics B
AP Physics B
AP Physics B is an Advanced Placement science course that is divided into nine different sections: Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The course is equivalent to a one-year college course that...
, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is an Advanced Placement science course that studies electricity and magnetism. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. It is supposed to be equivalent to an introductory...
, AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: Mechanics is an Advanced Placement science course that studies Newtonian mechanics. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems which is why most schools recommend that the student have completed or be...
, AP French
AP French Language
Advanced Placement French Language and Culture is a course offered by the College Board to high school students in the United States as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level French course...
, AP German
AP German Language
Advanced Placement German Language is a course and examination provided by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
, AP Spanish Language
AP Spanish
AP Spanish can stand for two distinct Advanced Placement Programs provided by the College Board:*AP Spanish Language*AP Spanish Literature...
, AP Statistics
AP Statistics
Advanced Placement Statistics is a college-level high school statistics course offered in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program...
, AP Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science
Advanced Placement Environmental Science is a course offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school students interested in the environmental and natural sciences...
, AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course and examination offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program to give American and Canadian high school students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and earn college-level credit.-The course:AP Chemistry is a course...
, AP Computer Science A & AB
AP Computer Science
Advanced Placement Computer Science is the name of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn college credit for a college-level computer science course...
, AP English
AP English Language and Composition
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program....
, AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art is a series of Advanced Placement Courses divided into three different categories: AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, and AP Studio Art 3D.-The portfolio:...
, AP US Government and Politics, AP Music Theory
AP Music Theory
Advanced Placement Music Theory is a course and examination offered in the United States by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school students who wish to earn credit for a college level music theory course.-The course:Some of the material covered in the course...
, AP Macroeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics is a course offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program for high school students interested in college-level work in economics...
, and AP Microeconomics
AP Microeconomics
Advanced Placement Microeconomics is a course for students interested in college-level work in microeconomics and/or gaining advanced standing in college. The course begins with a study of fundamental economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity costs, production possibilities, specialization,...
.
Mascot
The school's mascot is the Galloping Ghost. Before 1980, the ghost was depicted as a sword-waving, hooded horseman. Since 1980 ghost has the likeness of football Hall of Fame legend Red GrangeRed Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
, who visited Abington Senior High School in 1930.
School district
The Abington School DistrictAbington School District
The Abington School District covers the Borough of Rockledge and Abington Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The district operates Abington Senior High School , Abington Junior High School , Copper Beech Elementary School, Highland Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Overlook...
has an enrollment of 7,436 pupils.
The Abington School District was involved in a famous legal case relating to prayer in school, Abington School District v. Schempp
Abington School District v. Schempp
Abington Township School District v. Schempp , 374 U.S. 203 , was a United States Supreme Court case argued on February 27–28, 1963 and decided on June 17, 1963...
, which was heard in the United States Supreme Court on February 27–28, 1963. The ruling handed down on June 17, 1963 decided 8–1 in favor of the respondent, Edward Schempp, and declared school-sponsored Bible reading in public schools to be an unconstitutional violation of the separation of Church and State
Separation of church and state
The concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....
. The Chief Justice presiding over the case was Earl Warren
Earl Warren
Earl Warren was the 14th Chief Justice of the United States.He is known for the sweeping decisions of the Warren Court, which ended school segregation and transformed many areas of American law, especially regarding the rights of the accused, ending public-school-sponsored prayer, and requiring...
.
The school district was also involved in a small scale legal case in 2003 when a number of students had planned a professional-styled wrestling event for charity. The event was organized as part of a 'senior project' and was to take place on March 29, 2003 in the gymnasium. Two days prior to the event, principal Robert Burt revoked the building permit for the event, claiming he had no knowledge of the permit which was signed and had crossed his desk. The students arranged for paid professional independent wrestlers as well as a full sized professional wrestling ring. After a court hearing on Sept. 12, 2003. District Judge Juanita A. Price ruled in favor of a judgement to reimburse the students for their prepaid costs. The incident incited local notoriety and fueled heated arguments at the local school board meeting.
Honors and distinctions
Abington Senior High School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon High SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
in 1998–99 school year. Abington was a National Service Learning Leader School in 1998 and 2001.
In 2008–2009, Abington won the "Triple Crown" of awards for public school districts in the United States. In 2008, America's Promise Alliance
America's Promise
America's Promise — The Alliance for Youth is a foundation founded by Colin Powell in 1997 to help children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors in the United States.In late April 1997 Presidents Bill Clinton, George H. W...
named Abington one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People" for the third year. Shortly thereafter, Money Magazine
Money Magazine
Money Magazine is a business news and financial programme that is broadcast on Sundays at 7:00pm in Hong Kong by television channel TVB Pearl.-Producers and reporters:...
/CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
named Abington as one of the "Top 100 Best Places to Live" in America. In its 2009 list of America's Best High Schools, U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
awarded Abington Senior High School a bronze medal.
First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at Abington Senior High School on March 13, 2008, and President Barack Obama spoke at Abington Senior High School on October 3, 2008.
Facilities
The school completed construction of a large football stadium in 2006. The stadium is named after Stephen A. SchwarzmanStephen A. Schwarzman
Stephen Allen Schwarzman is an American businessman and investor and the chairman and co-founder of the Blackstone Group, the private-equity and financial advisory firm.-Early life and education:...
, an alumnus of the school.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni of Abington Senior High School include:- Dr. Amar BoseAmar BoseAmar Gopal Bose is an Bengali American electrical engineer, sound engineer and billionaire entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of Bose Corporation...
, Class of 1947. Leader in the development of electronic and stereophonic technology. Chairman and founder of Bose Corporation. - Ellery SchemppEllery SchemppEllery Schempp is an accomplished physicist and is also famous for being the primary student involved in the landmark 1963 United States Supreme Court case of Abington School District v...
, Class of 1958. The inventor of the MRI machine, as well as the leader of the Abington School District v. SchemppAbington School District v. SchemppAbington Township School District v. Schempp , 374 U.S. 203 , was a United States Supreme Court case argued on February 27–28, 1963 and decided on June 17, 1963...
court case, which led to the banning of organized prayer in all public schools. - Susan SeidelmanSusan SeidelmanSusan Seidelman is an American director, producer, writer, and actress.-Career:Susan Seidelman belongs to the first wave of female independent film makers in the American cinema of the 1980s. She graduated Abington Senior High School in 1969 , and went on to study fashion and arts at Drexel...
, Class of 1969. Director of five feature films and one of the top woman film directors in the United States. - Stephen A. SchwarzmanStephen A. SchwarzmanStephen Allen Schwarzman is an American businessman and investor and the chairman and co-founder of the Blackstone Group, the private-equity and financial advisory firm.-Early life and education:...
, Class of 1965. Founder and Chairman of the Blackstone GroupBlackstone GroupThe Blackstone Group L.P. is an American-based alternative asset management and financial services company that specializes in private equity, real estate, and credit and marketable alternative investment strategies, as well as financial advisory services, such as mergers and acquisitions ,...
, the largest private equity firm in the United States. - Bob SagetBob SagetRobert Lane "Bob" Saget is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and television host. Although he is best known for his roles as Danny Tanner in Full House, host of America's Funniest Home Videos and Future Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother, Saget is also known outside of television for his blue...
, Class of 1974. Comedian and popular television celebrity. - Shawn WoodenShawn WoodenShawn Wooden was a safety with an 9 year career from 1996 to 2004. He was forced to retire due to a back injury. He played for the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears of the National Football League....
, Class of 1991. Football player. University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre DameThe University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, the Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Jennifer Su. Actress, singer, and television news reader in ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Africa. - Brittany Hatch, Class of 2003. Contestant on America's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
Cycle 8. - Ellie DanielEllie DanielEleanor Suzanne Daniel is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4 × 100 m medley relay, a silver medal in 100 m butterley, and a bronze medal in 200 m butterfly...
, Class of 1968. Gold, silver, and bronze Olympic swimming medalist. - David ChristianaDavid Christianaborn in Huntington, New York, has illustrated more than twenty picture books for children and authored four for international publishers such as Farrar, Straus & Giroux; Harcourt Brace; Little, Brown; Henry Holt; and Scholastic. Reviews of his work have appeared in The New York Times Book Review,...
, Class of 1978. Professor, Dept. of Illustration, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson. Illustrator and Author.