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Earl L Vandermeulen High School
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Rate & Review Earl L Vandermeulen High School
Parent Reviews (5 reviews)
Page 1 of 2
The academic programs are fantastic for AP and Special Ed, and anything in between. We chose this school because we were looking for a very small district where our children could go from Kindergarten through 12th grade and be friends with all the same people. We were very concentrated on making sure that the transition from elementary to middle school would not be traumatic because the district has only one elementary, middle and high school it certainly helped. Because the student population is so low, it enables every student to participate in any activity or sport he or she wants. To us, it was all about building and enchancing the self esteem not about winning the Intel award.
Port Jefferson is a very academically involved school with a strong focus on educating students. The setting is intimate and students get personalized attention. However, the downfall is that the school is very small and everyone knows each other. There are cliques and a small choice of friends are available. This school is great for shy children who are sheltered from bigger schools. Parents are somewhat involved. I would like to see more involvement however. Music is successful, but just like any small school, more students are needed. Sports is popular. Most children take part in at least one sports activity during the year. The track is beautiful and the grounds are kept immaculately. Clubs, such as yearbook or Amnesty International have some members, however the same students take part in all the clubs available. Overall, Port Jefferson is a nice school, but it is too small.
They have very good academic programs with a menu of AP classes, given that the district has approximately 1100 students. Special education staff at the high school is very caring. They have a new principal that is new to the school but not to the district. Like any other small school, course scheduling could be problematic. There is full inclusion for any special education student along with resource room and direct consultant services; however, since the district's administration does not presently have a hands on philosophy I would suggest that parents oversee their child's programs. This includes the importance of heavy parental involvement in the planning of any child's post secondary eduction or career choices.
I agree the small is school great classes and relatively safe. but the students behaviors are out of control. You would not expect in such a small school all the cutting, cell phone use in class, disrespect to teachers and overall non compliance to the rules. Something needs to be done here to get back the order. Teachers and administrators are in charge, not the students.
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