Byram Hills High School
Encyclopedia
Byram Hills High School (BHHS) is a four-year co-educational public secondary school
located in Armonk, New York
. Its principal is Mr. Chris Borsari and its vice principals are Chris Walsh and Ken Cotrone. It is the only secondary school within the Byram Hills Central School District and serves students from the towns of Armonk
, Bedford
, Pleasantville
, and Chappaqua
. The school currently enrolls over 800 students in grades 9-12. The school operates on the semester system, with two quarters (referred to as marking periods) per semester. Byram Hills does not rank its graduating classes nor does it additionally weight the GPAs of its students. In addition, Byram Hills is a "closed campus", meaning students may not leave campus during the schoolday without proper notification.
Byram Hills consistently sends its graduates to top universities and Ivy League schools and has a high graduation rate. In addition, the school has renowned academic, performing arts, and athletic programs. Byram Hills also features myriad clubs and extracurricular activities for its students.
To counter the heavy academic schedule, the school follows the "drop-day" cycle pattern. Each day, students "drop" one of their classes for that day's cycle (for example, if it is drop-day 1, then students skip their first period class), except for drop-day A, in which students must attend all of their classes (however, classes are then shortened to accommodate this). The drop-day schedule also guarantees each student to have at least one study (or "free") period every nine days. While freshmen cannot add additional free periods, upperclassmen may opt for more free periods if they choose to do so.
In addition to the core curriculum, Byram Hills also offers many Advanced Placement courses for those seeking college credits. The school currently offers 15 AP courses in all areas of study. In addition, the school offers various honors courses in mathematics and science. Moreover, Byram Hills also features several unique courses of study
in that Peer Leaders will often teach more than one class and work with the teacher to grade exams and teach lessons. Students completing their junior year are eligible to apply to become Peer Leaders for the following year. Peer leaders make a year-long commitment to abstain from drug and alcohol use.
. Byram Hills consistently produces several students who go on to become Intel semi-finalists and usually about one or two who become finalists. In 2004, Jayne Wolfson '04 placed 6th nationally for her study examining the cognitive behavior of toddlers using pretend play.
. Students are also required to meet with an advisor once a week during the internship to track their progress. At the end of the internship, students prepare presentations to a committee to show what they have learned about their experience.
At the High School, there are currently 6 curricular and 2 extra-curricular ensembles in which students participate. Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony are the band groups in which students are able to participate. Concert Orchestra and String Orchestra are the two string ensembles offered during the day. All vocalists may participate in Concert Choir as part of their high school curriculum.
Additionally, the Band program and Choir program offer extra curricular jazz groups. These are both auditioned groups and require an extremely advanced degree of musicianship for entrance.
All areas of the music department offer extra coaching for small ensembles desiring additional performance opportunities.
The performing arts department also offers electives in Music Theory (for accomplished music students), Electronic Music (for anyone interested in the Music industry) and a Theatre Workshop (an experiential course for students of all levels wishing to improve skills in communication and public speaking)
The Byram Hills Track team is one of the top ranked teams in the state and consistently wins meets and events annually. In the 2006-2007 indoor season, the boys track team had 5 All-Americans (Michael Sass '07, Maxwell Kasak '07 Nick Fasano '08, Philip Cawkwell '07, John Granata '07), placing 5th at the National Meet indoors in the 4x800m relay; they were also the top public school team at the NY state championships for the 4x800. At Nike Outdoor Nationals, they placed 3rd in the Distance Medley relay, running the 2nd fastest time in NYS history for the event (School, County, and Section 1 records as well), and had an athlete (Philip Cawkwell '07) finish 2nd individually in the 2,000m Steeplechase (School and County Record). Additionally, the distance running program has enjoyed recent success winning numerous sectional titles in cross country and a strong showing at the 2010 Nike Indoor Nationals (Joe Violone '10, Liam Weiland '10, Chris Cioffoletti '10, Jamie Love '10, David Taitz '11). In 2004, the girls field hockey team won the New York State Scholarship Award, for having the highest combined team GPA in New York State. The basketball team has also shown recent success, reaching the sectional quarterfinals the past three years in row. In 2011, the basketball team made it to the Class A NYS Final Four in Glens Falls, NY. The boys varsity lacrosse team reached the sectional finals in the 2008 season. Lastly, many students who have participated in the athletic program have gone on to receive all-section, all-county, all-state, and all-American honors. Moreover, a good portion of athletes have also continued to compete at the collegiate level in the NCAA.
Boys' Sports
Girls' Sports
To better accommodate the needs of the student athletes, the school underwent massive changes in its athletic grounds beginning in 2004 and ending by the start of the 2006-2007 school year. Among them, they included renovating the tennis courts, moving the football field closer to the main school building, installing an all-purpose turf with a track, upgrading fan seating, creating new baseball and softball diamonds, physically expanding the school's weight and conditioning room, and renovating the school locker rooms.
Some of the clubs have gone on to achieve local and national fame. In 2006, the Academic Challenge club won the National Academic Championship and put team captain Nate Mattison '06 in the organization's hall of fame. In 2003, Youth Against Cancer (YAC) successfully brought Relay For Life
to Armonk where it has been an annual event since then. Also in 2003, Byram Hills Stage performed an original musical written by Eric March '03 and Matt Rosenfeld '03 entitled Granola: The Musical. The production received local and regional attention and was later performed at the New York International Fringe Festival
in August 2005. The Student Government at Byram Hills High School is known as the Parliament.
The current roster of clubs includes:
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in Armonk, New York
Armonk, New York
Armonk is a hamlet and census-designated place located in the town of North Castle in Westchester County, New York. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 4,330....
. Its principal is Mr. Chris Borsari and its vice principals are Chris Walsh and Ken Cotrone. It is the only secondary school within the Byram Hills Central School District and serves students from the towns of Armonk
Armonk, New York
Armonk is a hamlet and census-designated place located in the town of North Castle in Westchester County, New York. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 4,330....
, Bedford
Bedford (town), New York
Bedford is a town in Westchester County, New York, USA. The population was 17,335 at the 2010 census.The Town of Bedford is located in the northeastern part of Westchester County, and contains the three hamlets of Bedford Hills, Bedford Village, and Katonah...
, Pleasantville
Pleasantville, New York
Pleasantville is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 7,019 at the 2010 census. It is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Pleasantville is home to a campus of Pace University and to the Jacob Burns Film Center...
, and Chappaqua
Chappaqua, New York
Chappaqua is a hamlet and census-designated place in northern Westchester County, New York. As of the 2010 census, following a major revision to the delineation of its boundaries by the Census Bureau, the population was 1,436...
. The school currently enrolls over 800 students in grades 9-12. The school operates on the semester system, with two quarters (referred to as marking periods) per semester. Byram Hills does not rank its graduating classes nor does it additionally weight the GPAs of its students. In addition, Byram Hills is a "closed campus", meaning students may not leave campus during the schoolday without proper notification.
Byram Hills consistently sends its graduates to top universities and Ivy League schools and has a high graduation rate. In addition, the school has renowned academic, performing arts, and athletic programs. Byram Hills also features myriad clubs and extracurricular activities for its students.
Academics
Students at Byram Hills are required to pursue a broad based curriculum, involving all areas of high school learning. During their four years, students are required to take four years of English, four years of social sciences, four years of mathematics, four years of physical education, three years of physical science, two years of foreign language, two years of visual or performing arts, one semester of health, and one semester of mentor. In addition, students also have the option of taking many different elective classes which they can use towards their core requirements. Typically, a student will register for anywhere between 6-8 courses a semester.To counter the heavy academic schedule, the school follows the "drop-day" cycle pattern. Each day, students "drop" one of their classes for that day's cycle (for example, if it is drop-day 1, then students skip their first period class), except for drop-day A, in which students must attend all of their classes (however, classes are then shortened to accommodate this). The drop-day schedule also guarantees each student to have at least one study (or "free") period every nine days. While freshmen cannot add additional free periods, upperclassmen may opt for more free periods if they choose to do so.
In addition to the core curriculum, Byram Hills also offers many Advanced Placement courses for those seeking college credits. The school currently offers 15 AP courses in all areas of study. In addition, the school offers various honors courses in mathematics and science. Moreover, Byram Hills also features several unique courses of study
Peer Leadership
Peer Leaders assist in teaching health to sophomores and upperclassmen. The role of the Peer Leader is very similar to that of a college-level teaching assistantTeaching assistant
A teaching assistant is an individual who assists a professor or teacher with instructional responsibilities. TAs include graduate teaching assistants , who are graduate students; undergraduate teaching assistants , who are undergraduate students; secondary school TAs, who are either high school...
in that Peer Leaders will often teach more than one class and work with the teacher to grade exams and teach lessons. Students completing their junior year are eligible to apply to become Peer Leaders for the following year. Peer leaders make a year-long commitment to abstain from drug and alcohol use.
Science Research
Students entering their sophomore year have the option to involve themselves in Science Research, a three-year-long program founded by the late Dr. Robert Pavlica. In this program, students individually research a topic of their choosing and present their studies and research at the end of their senior year. Students also choose mentors (usually scientists, college professors, or professional researchers) to aide them in their process. In the fall of their senior year, students submit their findings and projects to enter the Intel Science Talent SearchIntel Science Talent Search
The Intel Science Talent Search , known for its first 57 years as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search is a research-based science competition in the United States for high school seniors. It has been referred to as "the nation's oldest and most prestigious" science competition. In his speech...
. Byram Hills consistently produces several students who go on to become Intel semi-finalists and usually about one or two who become finalists. In 2004, Jayne Wolfson '04 placed 6th nationally for her study examining the cognitive behavior of toddlers using pretend play.
Perspectives in Literature
Offered exclusively to seniors, this two-period year-long course satisfies English, visual art, and history requirements. While not an official AP class, students who complete this class are generally prepared to take the AP English Literature exam. While the class does not administer any graded exams, grades are determined almost exclusively by portfolios which the students are required to compile at the end of every marking period, based upon the material studied and personal experiences of that quarter. Previously taught by Jock Montgomery (now retired), the course is run by Duane Smith.Freshmen Mentoring
Freshmen Mentoring is a one-semester program that all freshmen are required to take during their first semester. The program is a non-academic course led by a nine faculty members and nine highly selected pairs of seniors. The class is designed to introduce freshmen to the world high school and young adult decision making by integrating lessons about teen issues, study habits, drugs, peer pressure, and related topics. The lessons are taught through a variety of different media. Some of which might include: group discussions, films, games, and activities. Students completing their junior year are eligible to apply to become Senior Mentors for the following year and are chosen through a rigorous and competitive process.Senior Internship
Seniors are required to complete a six-week job-internship in lieu of taking classes at the end of their graduating year. During this time, students are often encouraged to seek positions in the fields they will most likely study in college, or take jobs in fields that interest them. Students are allowed to work wherever they choose, with many opting to work in nearby New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Students are also required to meet with an advisor once a week during the internship to track their progress. At the end of the internship, students prepare presentations to a committee to show what they have learned about their experience.
Performing groups
Byram Hills is truly a district that appreciates and supports its performing arts programs.At the High School, there are currently 6 curricular and 2 extra-curricular ensembles in which students participate. Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony are the band groups in which students are able to participate. Concert Orchestra and String Orchestra are the two string ensembles offered during the day. All vocalists may participate in Concert Choir as part of their high school curriculum.
Additionally, the Band program and Choir program offer extra curricular jazz groups. These are both auditioned groups and require an extremely advanced degree of musicianship for entrance.
All areas of the music department offer extra coaching for small ensembles desiring additional performance opportunities.
The performing arts department also offers electives in Music Theory (for accomplished music students), Electronic Music (for anyone interested in the Music industry) and a Theatre Workshop (an experiential course for students of all levels wishing to improve skills in communication and public speaking)
Athletics
Byram Hills features many different athletic programs for its students. Almost 3/4 of the school participates in at least one sport during the school year. Students may participate in athletics in either the fall, winter, or spring. Students participate at either the freshmen, junior varsity, or varsity level, depending on the sport and student. The mascot of Byram Hills is the Bobcat and its colors are blue and red. The programs compete in Section 1, in Class A for some sports and Class B for others. Among the schools most successful programs are Boys Soccer and Track and Field. In 2006, the Byram Hills Boys Soccer Team reached the state finals and placed second (Hayden Morris, '07, was named All-American). In 2007, the soccer team reached the state finals once again, this time bringing the state championship back to Byram Hills with an overall record of 23-1-1. Forward Will Ogden ('08) was named the Section 1 Player of the Year and was awarded All-American, as well as Gatorade Player of the Year for all of NY state. In 2008, the Bobcats went undefeated but were upset in the sectional semi-final against Harrison in a penalty shootout. In 2009, the Bobcats made it back to the state tournament in Oneonta, and finished the season 18-3-1.The Byram Hills Track team is one of the top ranked teams in the state and consistently wins meets and events annually. In the 2006-2007 indoor season, the boys track team had 5 All-Americans (Michael Sass '07, Maxwell Kasak '07 Nick Fasano '08, Philip Cawkwell '07, John Granata '07), placing 5th at the National Meet indoors in the 4x800m relay; they were also the top public school team at the NY state championships for the 4x800. At Nike Outdoor Nationals, they placed 3rd in the Distance Medley relay, running the 2nd fastest time in NYS history for the event (School, County, and Section 1 records as well), and had an athlete (Philip Cawkwell '07) finish 2nd individually in the 2,000m Steeplechase (School and County Record). Additionally, the distance running program has enjoyed recent success winning numerous sectional titles in cross country and a strong showing at the 2010 Nike Indoor Nationals (Joe Violone '10, Liam Weiland '10, Chris Cioffoletti '10, Jamie Love '10, David Taitz '11). In 2004, the girls field hockey team won the New York State Scholarship Award, for having the highest combined team GPA in New York State. The basketball team has also shown recent success, reaching the sectional quarterfinals the past three years in row. In 2011, the basketball team made it to the Class A NYS Final Four in Glens Falls, NY. The boys varsity lacrosse team reached the sectional finals in the 2008 season. Lastly, many students who have participated in the athletic program have gone on to receive all-section, all-county, all-state, and all-American honors. Moreover, a good portion of athletes have also continued to compete at the collegiate level in the NCAA.
Boys' Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross-Country
- Football
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Skiing
- Soccer
- Spring Track
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Winter Track
- Wrestling
Girls' Sports
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross-Country
- Dance
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Skiing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Spring Track
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Winter Track
To better accommodate the needs of the student athletes, the school underwent massive changes in its athletic grounds beginning in 2004 and ending by the start of the 2006-2007 school year. Among them, they included renovating the tennis courts, moving the football field closer to the main school building, installing an all-purpose turf with a track, upgrading fan seating, creating new baseball and softball diamonds, physically expanding the school's weight and conditioning room, and renovating the school locker rooms.
Extracurricular activities
Many Byram Hills students also participate in a variety of extracurricular groups and clubs, often more than one. There are currently 24 different clubs officially recognized by Byram Hills High School, although more come and go every year. Clubs range in all different activities and interests, engaging the interests of many different students.Some of the clubs have gone on to achieve local and national fame. In 2006, the Academic Challenge club won the National Academic Championship and put team captain Nate Mattison '06 in the organization's hall of fame. In 2003, Youth Against Cancer (YAC) successfully brought Relay For Life
Relay For Life
Relay For Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace...
to Armonk where it has been an annual event since then. Also in 2003, Byram Hills Stage performed an original musical written by Eric March '03 and Matt Rosenfeld '03 entitled Granola: The Musical. The production received local and regional attention and was later performed at the New York International Fringe Festival
New York International Fringe Festival
The New York International Fringe Festival, or FringeNYC, is a Fringe theater festival and one of the largest multi-arts events in North America. It takes place over the course of two weeks every August, spread across several neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan, notably the Lower East Side, the...
in August 2005. The Student Government at Byram Hills High School is known as the Parliament.
The current roster of clubs includes:
- Academic Challenge
- The Apocalypse Literary Magazine
- The Arch Yearbook
- Astronomy Club
- Blue Crew
- Byram Hills Stage & Crew (produces 3 full-scale productions each year)
- Club Rwanda
- CTV20
- Debate Team
- Film Club
- Food Bank Club
- Friends of Rachel
- Game Club
- Gay/Straight Alliance
- Habitat For Humanity
- Harvard Model Congress
- Helping Young People Excel (HYPE)
- Interact Club
- Jazz Ensembles
- Math Team
- Mock Trial
- Model UN
- One Life Club
- The Oracle Student Newspaper
- Outdoor Club
- Parliament
- Peer Tutoring
- Red Ribbon Club
- Robotics Club
- Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD)
- Ultimate Frisbee Club
- Youth Against Cancer (YAC)
Parking and transportation
Because of its suburban setting, all students travel to school either by car or school bus. Students may only drive to school if issued a parking permit for that academic year. Parking permits are only issued to seniors. Juniors may drive only during the Senior Internship period and if issued a permit for the forthcoming school year. Sophomores (if any) may drive only during the final exam period.Famous alumni
Over the years, Byram Hills has graduated several students who have gone on to noted acclaim. Included among them are:- Laura BraniganLaura BraniganLaura Ann Branigan was an American singer-songwriter and actress of Italian and Irish ancestry. She is best known in the United States for her 1982 Platinum-certified hit "Gloria" and in Europe for the number-one single "Self Control"...
- Singer - Eddie CahillEddie CahillEdmund Patrick "Eddie" Cahill is an American actor best known for portraying "Miracle on Ice" goalie Jim Craig in the movie Miracle, and for playing the fictional roles of Tag Jones on Friends and Detective Don Flack on CSI: NY.-Early life:Cahill was born in New York City, New York. He is the...
- Actor - Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
- Actor - David HarbourDavid HarbourDavid Harbour is an American actor who has performed in film, television and in the theater. He is known for his role as villain Gregg Beam in Quantum of Solace, as Shep Campbell in Revolutionary Road, and as Russell Crowe's source in State of Play...
- Actor - Bryce Dallas HowardBryce Dallas HowardBryce Dallas Howard is an American film actress and daughter of director Ron Howard. She made her acting debut in her father's 1989 movie Parenthood and went on to have small roles in films and make stage appearances for the next several years...
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- Actor