G. A. R. Memorial Junior Senior High School
Encyclopedia
G.A.R. Memorial Junior/Senior High School (commonly known throughout the area simply as 'G.A.R.') is located on 250 South Grant Street, in Wilkes-Barre, located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
, United States
.
G.A.R. is both a junior and senior public high school, offering education to 1134 students in grades 7-12. Part of the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, G.A.R. has three full-time administrators and 85 full-time educators. The student to teacher ratio is approximately 20-30 students per teacher. About 87% of G.A.R. graduates go on to further their education at a post-secondary institution
. It was named for the Grand Army of the Republic
.
In 2005, the school built the newest edition, the weight room, where all students and faculty are allowed work outfrom 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
On November 3, 2011 at 12:30pm a bomb treat was found in the girls bathroom. All students and faculty were evacuated. At 2:00pm the students were allowed back into the school, as the bomb squad had discovered no bomb, and no bomb went off at the stated time on the note. An investigation is being launched to find the person who made the threat.
Requirements - In addition to completing course requirements, students are required by Pennsylvania law to complete a graduation project as outlined by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Students who fail to complete the requirements set for each year (10th and 11th) are denied participation in all activities from the first day of school in the following school year until the requirement is met.
In December 2010, G A R Memorial Junior Senior HIgh School was identified as a Tier II chronically, low achieving school by the PDE. In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education identified G A R Memorial Junior Senior HIgh School as a Tier III chronically, low achieving school in its application for the federal School Improvement Grant. A Tier II school, that is included in their district’s application for School Improve Grant funds must implement one of four “school improvement” models. Districts were not required to apply for SIG funds.
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Math:
(†)Available only through distance learning
† by recommendation only
† by recommendation only.
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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
G.A.R. is both a junior and senior public high school, offering education to 1134 students in grades 7-12. Part of the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, G.A.R. has three full-time administrators and 85 full-time educators. The student to teacher ratio is approximately 20-30 students per teacher. About 87% of G.A.R. graduates go on to further their education at a post-secondary institution
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
. It was named for the Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
.
History
The school was built in 1925 after constuction started in 1921, four years eariler. In 1978, the school district decided to make exstensions to the school, this construction was completed in October 1979. The exstension included a new Cafiteria, Gym, Chorus room, and Band room. The original Cafiteria was demolished and turned into the faculty parking, the Girls Gym was changed into the Library and Girls Gym changing room was remodled into the the Home Ec rooms, the Boys Gym was remodled into the Tech Ed room, the Boys Gym changing room was changed into the Woodshop room, and the chorus and band rooms were bricked off.In 2005, the school built the newest edition, the weight room, where all students and faculty are allowed work outfrom 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
On November 3, 2011 at 12:30pm a bomb treat was found in the girls bathroom. All students and faculty were evacuated. At 2:00pm the students were allowed back into the school, as the bomb squad had discovered no bomb, and no bomb went off at the stated time on the note. An investigation is being launched to find the person who made the threat.
Graduation
In 2010, the school's graduation rate was 97%. In 2009, it was reported as 93%.Requirements - In addition to completing course requirements, students are required by Pennsylvania law to complete a graduation project as outlined by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Students who fail to complete the requirements set for each year (10th and 11th) are denied participation in all activities from the first day of school in the following school year until the requirement is met.
Academic achievement
In 2010, the school declined to Corrective Action I AYP status due to chronic low student achievement. Additionally, the students had significant negative growth in academic achievement, in 2010. In 2009 the school was in School Improvement II AYP status In both years, parents were notified by the school's administration, that they had the right to transfer their child to another school in the district, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind law.In December 2010, G A R Memorial Junior Senior HIgh School was identified as a Tier II chronically, low achieving school by the PDE. In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education identified G A R Memorial Junior Senior HIgh School as a Tier III chronically, low achieving school in its application for the federal School Improvement Grant. A Tier II school, that is included in their district’s application for School Improve Grant funds must implement one of four “school improvement” models. Districts were not required to apply for SIG funds.
Eleventh grade
11th Grade Reading- 2010 - 49% on grade level (28% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 52% (26% below basic), State - 65%
- 2008 - 55% (27% below basic), State - 65%
- 2007 - 53% (23% below basic), State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 57%, on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 50% (33% below basic). State - 56%.
- 2008 - 48% (28% below basic), State - 56%
- 2007 - 55% (19% below basic), State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 18% on grade level (27% below basic). State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 30% (21% below basic). State - 40%
- 2008 - 22% (17% below basic), State - 39%
Eighth grade
8th Grade Reading- 2010 - 63% on grade level (17% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2009 - 69% (18% below basic), State - 80%
- 2008 - 63% (22% below basic), State - 78%
- 2007 - 61% (16% below basic), State - 75%
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 44% on grade level (26% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 75% of 8th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 53% (19% below basic), State - 71%
- 2008 - 57% (28% below basic), State - 70%
- 2007 - 71% (7% below basic), State - 68%
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 24% on grade level (48% below basic). State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 40% (36% below basic), State - 55%
- 2008 - 33% (37% below basic), State - 52%
Seventh grade
7th Grade Reading- 2010 - 56% on grade level (17% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 73% of 7th graders on grade level.
- 2009 - 45% (24% below basic), State - 71%
- 2008 - 44% (23% below basic), State - 70%
- 2007 - 50% (22% below basic), State - 67%
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 49% on grade level (21% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 77% of 7th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 60% (17% below basic), State - 75%
- 2008 - 53% (16% below basic), State - 71%
- 2007 - 62% (12% below basic), State - 67%
Awards
In December 2007, G.A.R. received a 'bronze' placing in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2006 “Best High Schools” list, which is given to schools that exceed expectations for less-advantaged students.Sciences
- Biology I (9+)
- Biology II (11+)
- Chemistry I (10+)
- Chemistry II (11+)
- Earth and Space Sciences (9+)
- General Science (7&8)
- Physics I (11+)
- Physics II† (12)
(†)Available only through distance learning
Math
- General Math (7+)
- Pre-algebra (8+)
- Algebra I (9+)
- Geometry (10+)
- Algebra II (11+)
- Trigonometry/Algebra III (11+)
- Statistics (11+)
- Calculus (12)
- A.P. Calculus † (12)
† by recommendation only
English
Each grade level has an English course available in General, College Prep, and Advanced. Selection for these classes relies on previous grades, teacher recommendations, or both.Social studies
- General History I (7+)
- General History II (8+)
- Law (11+)
- Psychology (11+)
- U.S. Cultures I (9+)
- U.S. Cultures II (10+)
- A.P. U.S. History †(11+)
† by recommendation only.
Computer literacy
- Keybording (9+)
- Computer Applications (10+)
- Computer Science I-IV (10+)
Athletics
Sports are available to the entire student body, and there are no cuts on any teams.Extracurricular activities/clubs
- Chess Club
- Computer Science Club
- Drama Club
- Envirothon
- FBLA
- German Club
- Honor Roll: Honors, High Honors, Highest Honors
- Key Club
- National Honor Society
- Poetry Club
- SADD (Students Against Distructive Desisions)
- School Newspaper (The Blue & Grey)
- Ski Club
- Stage Crew
- Student Council
- Watershed Forum
- Year Book Club (The Garchive)
Musical groups
- Marching Band
- Orchestra
- GARChoir (Chorus)
- Small Group (Chorus)
- Jr Chorus
- Jazz Band
- Concert Band
Notable alumni
- Nick Rybitski - Professional soccer player. Current goalkeeper for Borussia Dortmund.
- Brandon Owens - 2011 Professional Eater. Titles include dunkin donuts champion, nathan's hotdog eating contest.
- David BohmDavid BohmDavid Joseph Bohm FRS was an American-born British quantum physicist who contributed to theoretical physics, philosophy, neuropsychology, and the Manhattan Project.-Youth and college:...
- Quantum physicist who was involved in the Manhattan Project. - Mark James KlepaskiMark KlepaskiMarkus James Klepaski is an American bass guitarist, best known as the former bass player for the American rock band, Breaking Benjamin.-Biography:...
- Bass player for the rock band Breaking BenjaminBreaking BenjaminBreaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently consisting of Benjamin Burnley and Chad Szeliga. The band has released four studio albums to date and a greatest hits album that was released on August 16, 2011. The group initially went on indefinite hiatus due...
. - Larry Koretz- Former Overseas Basketball Player
- Greg SkrepenakGreg SkrepenakGregory Andrew Skrepenak is a convicted felon, a former Luzerne County, Pennsylvania commissioner and a former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders and the Carolina Panthers. He was convicted after admitting he...
- Former NFL player and former Luzerne County Commissioner convicted of bribery in 2009
- Bob SuraBob SuraRobert Sura Jr. is an American former professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. At 6'5" , 200 lb , he played as a guard....
- NBA player who last played for the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being... - Jeremy Romani- Vocalist for the rock band Goodbye Soundscape
- Joseph Mirin- Guitarist for the Supernaut rock band Lungsmen
- Ken Begies- Real estate broker and entrepreneur.
- Robert WilliamsRobert Williams (quarterback)Dr. Robert "Bob" Williams is a former American football player for the University of Notre Dame.Williams won three championships with G.A.R. Memorial High School in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania...
- Quarterback for Notre Dame, 1956–1958