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About New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School
Located on Route 22 in the town of New Lebanon, New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School serves approximately 300 students in grades 7 through 12. Our educational programs provide students with a broad range of courses – including Regents, accelerated classes, Advanced Placement and elective choices – to meet the New York State Learning Standards for graduation. Small class sizes and the personalized nature of the school’s educational programs engage students in a safe and supportive learning environment. Students have opportunities to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and clubs and activities. Originally constructed in the 1930s, the New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School has seen many changes, including building additions in 1947, 1959 and a swimming pool in 1960. The most recent construction project - which included significant improvements to the technology and science rooms, music and drama departments, cafeteria, athletic facilities and 7th and 8th grade wing - will help in the school’s quest to help New Lebanon students grow, succeed and accomplish academic and personal goals they may have never believed possible. Rich with history yet primed for the future, the school’s mission remains the same as it was when Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the school in 1930: to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Technology New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School offers students a multi-disciplinary approach to learning technology. The 3000 square foot technology lab built in 2001 provides learning stations for research and development, computers and multi-media production, design and planning, and processing materials (wood, metals, plastics, and electronics) into models and prototypes. Our motto is “plan your work, then work your plan.” We are proud to offer 10 high school Regents accredited technology courses ranging from AutoCAD 2002 to Motion Control & Robotics. The technology program begins with Design & Drawing for Production, a comprehensive prerequisite course that builds a solid foundation in design, drafting, and problem-solving. Students may then elect to pursue one of three tracks in technology: a five-year sequence or one of two three-year sequences geared for engineering, industry, or commercial trades. All of our classes stress problem solving, design and innovation, engineering, ergonomics, and industry standards utilizing design briefs. Students are challenged to develop the optimal solution for each design brief. This entails research, generating concept sketches, creating a rough & working drawing, running a simulation, model making or prototyping, testing their solution, and peer evaluation. This business like approach enables students to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills, utilize applied learning techniques, analyze and at look at their work from an industrial perspective. Our Junior High technology program begins in 7th grade providing students with a full year of technology education. Students with a 75% average of better can take a High School Advanced Placement technology course in 8th grade. Students in 7th and 8th grade also have the opportunity to participate in Technology Club after school. Currently, in its fifth year, the club meets twice a week to expand upon the topics studied in class. These innovative and interactive courses give students a significant head start for exciting careers in engineering, design & drafting, electronics, robotics, manufacturing & production, transportation, communication, construction and other technologies.
School to Work The school to work program is an after school program targeted for special needs students in grades 9-12. One of 4 participating schools in Columbia and Greene counties, New Lebanon’s school to work program is funded by a grant from Columbia-Greene Community College. Students are involved in a continuum of learning from career exploration and awareness to training in specific career areas (including business, home & careers and technology) through school and work-based learning. Students receive financial stipends for program activities completed during the after-school group meeting. During the 2002-03 school year students created a company called Board & Bread, Inc., which manufactured and sold cutting boards. This program has been successful in teaching students hands-on skills and developing partnerships with the community. During the 2003-04 school year, this program will expand to include two groups of students.
Videoconferencing Videoconferencing technology is making it possible for New Lebanon students to experience an actual college course and receive credit without having to leave school. Through a partnership with Hudson Valley Community College and Questar III, New Lebanon students have the unique opportunity to enroll in two college courses – General Psychology in the fall and Sociology in the spring - at a special tuition rate of $30 per credit. The classes are offered after school at 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Videoconferencing technology allows people at two or more locations to see and hear each other. The visual connection and interaction among participants enhances understanding, improves communications, increases depth of learning and helps participants feel connected to each other. In addition to the distance-learning program, the technology also gives the New Lebanon Central School District access to virtual field trips and staff development workshops. Advanced Placement The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities throughout the country. New Lebanon High School offers AP courses in Calculus, English, Biology, Physics, Music Theory and JAVA. These courses, which involve extensive reading and frequent homework, provide motivated students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the program not only gain college-level skills, they can also earn credit and/or advanced placement when entering college. Students are also offered the opportunity to participate in Authentic Science Research in the High School through the State University of New York at Albany. Authentic Science Research in the high school is a 3-year program in which students do independent research on a topic from physical, life or social science, psychology or mathematics. While doing the research, students develop skills in college level library research, reading and interpreting professional journal articles, writing and oral presentation using Power Point. After researching the topic, students are expected to develop an original set of hypotheses and conduct experimental research under the guidance of a research professional from their field of science. Students have the opportunity to present their research to parents, friends, teachers and administrators at the end of the year Science Symposium. Students can also participate in national and international research competition where many awards and recognition is possible. Students can earn up to 12 college credits through this course and summer internships. Career and Technical Education Students also have the opportunity to take courses offered at Questar III educational centers in Troy or Hudson. Students attend classes on-site for half of the school day five days a week. The programs blend academic instruction with hands-on training in a specific field. Credits earned at these facilities are used to meet graduation requirements at New Lebanon Jr. Sr. High School. Some of the courses include: Automotive Technologies, Aviation, Construction Technologies, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Licensed Practical Nursing and Security & Law Enforcement, Vehicle Body & Chassis Repair and Welding.
Questar III also offers a New Visions Program for highly motivated, academically capable and mature high school seniors who are serious about learning more about careers in a specific field. Programs are offered in Math, Engineering, Technology & Science; Medicine & Allied Health; Scientific Research & World Health; and Visual & Performing Arts. Classes are held on location at the New Visions sites and include classroom instruction, guest speakers, mentoring and rotations with professionals in the field.
Community Involvement The New Lebanon Alumni Association is extremely supportive of the school. Each year the group donates money to the library for the purchase of reading materials and a separate donation for a school project. Over the years they have raised almost $20,000 for the students at New Lebanon Jr. Sr. High School.
Clubs & Activities New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School is proud to offer students a wide variety of clubs and activities. Extracurricular activities are influential in helping our students build leadership, management, communications and socialization skills. Students may choose from a number of clubs and activities: student government, yearbook, literary magazine, environmental club, drama club, technology club, drama club, spirit club, SADD, Spanish club, Ski Club, Chess Club, and peer tutoring and mediation. Get involved in the school! Music Has learning ever sounded so impressive? With classes offered in general music, music theory and music appreciation, New Lebanon students have numerous opportunities to explore and expand their musical horizons. The music department’s educational space, which was upgraded several years ago as part of the district’s capital project, currently has 4 practice rooms and dedicated rooms for both band and choir. Several performing groups offer students the chance to practice and refine their playing skills. There is a junior & senior chorus, junior & senior band and Jazz band in addition to small group/individual lessons during the school day. In addition to winter and spring concert performances, our musical groups proudly represent the school at Flag Day and Memorial Day parades, where they perform each year. Moreover, a number of our students are selected to participate in all-county and all-state groups in band and choir. Our Jazz band, under the direction of teacher Scott Thompson, has earned the Gold Plaque Award at the Great East Music Festival at Westfield State College in Massachusetts for the last three years.
Foreign Language New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School offers comprehensive programs in German and Spanish. The programs emphasize communications skills through listening, writing, reading and speaking the language. The study of the culture is also an integral part of our programs. With many colleges now requiring foreign language study in the core requirements for graduation, we are proud to offer two college-level foreign language courses. Our University Spanish class is connected to the University in the High School Program at the University at Albany and our German course is affiliated with SUNY Oswego. Students successfully completing these programs may earn college credit and/or advanced standing. These courses also help to prepare our students for the challenges of communication in an increasingly interdependent world. The Spanish Club gives interested students the opportunity to participate in language activities outside of classroom. The objective is to allow students to further explore Hispanic culture through activities that complement and broaden the classroom experience. Art The New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School art program provides students with a well-rounded education designed to strengthen their skills and appreciation for art. Classes are offered in a variety of disciplines, including general art, studio art, drawing/painting, photography, ceramics and sculpture. Classes are hands-on and give students the opportunity to explore the arts for both academic and personal enrichment. Students start in introductory classes and move onto advanced courses, such as photography. Advanced students may also elect to take an independent study program. The Studio Art class visits the Clarke Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts as part of a five-week unit on art history. Students have been recognized by The Independent and display their artwork at the Columbia County Fair each year. Our school-wide art exhibit coincides with the annual spring concert in May.
Library Media Center The New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School’s library media center provides students with a dynamic and user-friendly center for research, reading, homework and small group study. We currently maintain a comprehensive collection of more than 10,000 books and dozens of print magazines and newspapers. Materials are available throughout the school day for both research and leisurely reading. There is an adjoining computer labs with a total of 24 PC’s. Our library media center provides students with free online access to a wealth of resources, including thousands of magazines, journals, reference books and newspapers. The library media center also plays a key role in integrating technology in the curriculum. Our media specialist works with teachers to create curriculum-related web pages and online research projects called WebQuests. A WebQuest is an Internet-based research project that directly integrates the Internet's resources. It provides teachers and their students with an opportunity to do research using the resources on the Internet in an effective and efficient way. Students can access the WebQuest from home or school. Guidance Department The New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School Guidance Department offers all students a variety of services to support their education. These services – which include counseling and advisement, occupational and career information and college planning – guide the department in the important role as student advocates. The counselor meets regularly with students, parents, teachers, college representatives and others to assist children in their development. Throughout the school year, the office holds evening meetings for parents on topics such as financial aid and graduation requirements. The Guidance Department regularly welcomes officials from colleges and military to our school.
Our primary goal is to help students make informed decisions regarding their present and future and encourage them to take advantage of the wealth of activities and programs available to them in school. The guidance department provides direction and a perspective that hopefully will clarify and support the personal goals of all students.
Sports New Lebanon is a member of the New York State Athletic Association, competing as a Class D school in the Central Hudson Valley League (CHVL) of Section II. We currently offer a competitive sports program in girls and boys varsity, junior varsity and modified soccer; boys varsity, junior variety and modified basketball; girls varsity and modified basketball; girls and boys varsity volleyball; girls and boys varsity swimming (in cooperation with Berlin Junior-Senior High School); varsity, junior varsity and modified baseball; varsity softball; and girls and boys varsity track. The modified teams are limited to students in grades 7-8.
New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School has a proud tradition of sports excellence. In recent years our varsity, junior varsity and modified teams have won league titles and our student-athletes have been named to all-star teams and honored as Most Valuable Players and Scholar-Athletes. Our facilities include three full-sized soccer fields, a four lane swimming pool, a baseball field and gymnasium and weight room. Our softball team plays at Shatford Park, located just north of the high school on Route 22. Our school also offers students several summer sporting opportunities, including club swimming (with competition) and a boys basketball camp for students in grades 6-11. Home |