Kennett High School (Pennsylvania)


Kennett High School is the only public high school in the Kennett Consolidated School District and is located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, United States. The school averages around 1300 students and 100 faculty members. The Kennett Consolidated School District Office is located next to the high school.

Academics

Curriculum

Kennett has a 1:14 teacher-to-student ratio, allowing it to offer a wide range of both core and elective classes for its students. Its core departments- English, Social Studies, Math, and Science- are based on a tiered system in order to allow for the variety of student capabilities, from Survey and Academic classes to Honors and Advanced Placement classes. Due to its extremely well credentialed faculty, Kennett is able to offer a relatively large number of Advanced Placement courses.
Advanced Placement English Literature is offered to seniors who have completed Honors English 11 and to other recommended students. Honors Survey, World, American and British Literature courses are designed to challenge academically motivated, high-achieving students. Advanced Literature courses and the 12th grade semester genre are designed for college-bound students. Both levels emphasize literature analysis, the writing process, and vocabulary development. Entrance into these classes is dependent upon A or B level achievement and teacher recommendation.
The Social Studies sequence is World Studies I, World Studies II, American Studies, Economics and American Government. Honors courses are taught in World Studies I, World Studies II, and Economics. AP U.S. History and AP American Government can fulfill the American Studies and American Government requirements. AP European is an elective choice for students in tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade.
The most rigorous mathematics sequence, beginning with Algebra in eighth grade, permits students to study AP Calculus or Calculus in twelfth grade. The traditional college preparatory mathematics sequence concludes with Mathematics Analysis in twelfth grade. Because of student transfers or development in mathematics, it is possible for students to have some courses in both sequences. AP Statistics is an elective choice for students who have successfully completed Algebra II.
The science sequence is Earth and Space, Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Honors level courses in each of these curricula are substantially more rigorous and are designed to challenge academically motivated, high-achieving students. Both levels of science courses offer similar topics and labs. AP Physics will fulfill the 12th grade physics requirements. Students may elect AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Computer Science. Some students are able to enroll in two science courses within the same year. It is almost impossible to schedule more than two.
The following AP courses are available: English Literature and Composition, United States History, Government and Politics: United States, European History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C: Mechanics, Music Theory, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science A, French Language, German Language, Latin: Vergil, Spanish Language.
The languages offered at Kennett High School are French, Spanish, Latin, and German. ESL programs are in place for Spanish-speaking immigrants. There are no Honors level I languages. There are no regular level II–IV languages, only Honors level or AP. Students may begin their study of a world language in eighth grade. Students must take at least 2 years of a foreign language in order to graduate.
Students whose first language is one other than English are eligible for support services through the ESL program. A language skills assessment will determine English fluency. Students will then receive direct instruction in English language and reading. As students master English, they will continue to receive academic support. Students are exited from the ESL instructional program based on federal assessment guidelines.

Program rating

According to a Newsweek list released in 2010, Kennett was named as one of America's best high schools. Kennett Ranked 1461st on the list, which was calculated by taking the total number of Advanced Placement tests given at the school each year and dividing by the number of seniors graduating that year. For the 2010-2011 school year, Kennett has had a record-breaking 11 National Merit Finalists and 11 National Merit Commended students, in addition to a National Achievement Finalist and National Hispanic Recognition Finalist.

Under achievement

In 2010 the high school is in Corrective Action I due to the chronic low academic achievement of some students on the PSSA.

Graduation rate

The high school offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.
Partnerships have been developed with West Chester University, Widener University, and Seton Hill University. The following courses will be offered during the spring semester 2011 for those students who qualify: Writing about Popular Culture, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Sociology of the Family, Criminal Justice, Cultural Anthropology, Environmental Science, Arabic, Japanese, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese. These courses were chosen from a menu of 13 possibilities by a survey conducted with the 10th and 11th graders – those eligible to take the courses as 11th and 12th graders next year. The Board approved the Concurrent Enrollment Agreements with Seton Hill, West Chester, and Widener Universities for a Dual Enrollment Grant.
For the 2010-11 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $8,648 for the program.

Graduation requirements

The Kennett Consolidated School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25.2 credits to graduate including: 4 English Credits, 4 Social Studies Credits, 4 Science Credits, 4 Math Credits,.8 Physical Education Credits, 0.4 Health Credits, 2 Humanities Credits and 6 Elective Credit.
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. The faculty at Kennett has determined that the Kennett Graduation Project requirements should exceed those of the state, requiring activities such as community service. Each student must meet or exceed the requirement of 40 community service hours total by the end of their senior year. 20 must be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in reading and math, as is the case with all High Schools in Pennsylvania.

Campus

The school is located just south of the small town of Kennett Square. Recent major renovations were completed in 2006, including the construction of a new science wing. The high school's new stadium was completed in the summer of 2007 as well as the renovation to the baseball and soccer fields, and the addition of a new concession stand. As part of the renovations, the previously adjacent Kennett Middle School was relocated to Landenberg, Pennsylvania, in a newly constructed building of its own.

Extracurricular activities

Kennett offers the following sports programs: Golf, Cross Country, Soccer, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Tennis, Football, Ice Hockey, Wrestling, Basketball, Winter Track, Swimming, Cheerleading, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, and Track
Both football and the marching band were brought back in the 2005-2006 school year after being absent from the district for many years. 2011-12 Kennett football program recorded their first non-losing season, as varsity finished with a 6-6 record. The 2012-13 Kennett football program is much improved, with a winning varsity record of 7-2. The "Blue Band" - the Kennett Marching Band had garnered an excellent reputation and has won many district and county-level competitions.
During the 2001-2002 season, the KHS Basketball team was the Pennsylvania AAA State Basketball champion.
During the 2018-2019 season, the KHS Boys Swim team were the Ches-Mont League American Division Champions.
Kennett's chapter of the Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America is the largest in the region, one of the ten largest in the state, and one of the 100 largest in the nation. It is known for producing many regional and state finalists.
Kennett also offers various activities as a part of its strong performing arts program, including Marching Band, String Ensemble, Music Seniors, String Quintet, Chorale, Jazz Band, Show Choir, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, Concert Band, Orchestra, Concert Choir, and a fall play, senior play, and spring Musical. In 2012, the Kennett Marching Band took first place in regional band competitions, moving on to state championships. In 2015, the Kennett Marching Band took first place in the Cavalcade of Bands A Class Championships.
Music students at Kennett have also participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association district, region, and state festivals for band, chorus, and orchestra.
Some of Kennett's clubs and activities include: Kennetteer Club, Academic Team, National Art Honor Society, Ceramics Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, Chess Club, Ski and Adventure Club, KTV, Photography Club, Senior Class Office, Junior Class Office, Sophomore Class Officer, Freshman Class Office, Special Friends Club, Interact Club, Earth Club, Better Than Oprah Book Club, Video Game Club, Latin Club, Humanitarian Club, FIRST Robotics Club, Spanish Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Guitar Club, Quidditch Club, National Honor Society, Video Production Club, Farrago, UJIMA, Board Game Club, Frisbee Club, UNIDAD, Demon Press, Mock Trial, Gay-Straight Alliance, and more.
In addition, there is a student-run morning announcement crew, KTV, which broadcasts the daily announcements live over television.
The many extracurricular clubs and activities work alongside the vibrant community of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, such as in the widely popular Mushroom Festival.