Avon Grove High School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools through the Accreditation for Growth (AFG) process. The goals established through AFG are:
• Goal #1- By the year 2008, Grade 12 students at AGHS will demonstrate career-planning skills
• Goal #2- By the year 2008, AGHS students will demonstrate the traits associated with being responsible members of the AGHS community: a) Respectful behavior b) Effective communication skills c) Effective problem-solving skills d) Involvement with the school and greater community.
• Goal #3– By the year 2008, AGHS students will demonstrate improved academic performance across the curriculum in the area of reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing composition.
The teaching staff at the school is committed to utilizing the most effective teaching strategies that research and experience can provide. The school day extends from 7:40 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate, students are required to complete 24 credits in grades nine through twelve. These credits must come from the following curricular areas:
• 4 credits– English
• 3 credits– Social Studies
• 3 credits– Science
• 3 credits– Mathematics
• 2.5 credits– Health and Physical Education
• 2 credits– Arts and Humanities
• 6.5 credits– Electives
Each student is required to complete a graduation project.
Guidance Services and Crisis Intervention
Guidance services are available to all students. Counselors assist with academic and career planning, provide individual counseling, consult with parents and teachers, serve on student assistance teams, and act as liaisons with community agencies. The high school has a crisis intervention counselor who works with students, parents, and staff in a substance abuse/mental health intervention program.
AGHS has a full-time school-to-career counselor, as well as a Career Center, to help students explore post-secondary goals and options. The school is developing a career mentoring program for 9th and 10th graders as well as a shadowing program for juniors. These opportunities will allow students to have exposure to various career options that interest them.
To assist students at risk from substance abuse and mental health problems, S.O.S. (Support Our Students) is available in the high school. This referral and intervention service supplements the school guidance program. Anyone concerned about a student may contact the S.O.S. team, composed of specially trained teachers, counselors, nurses, caseworkers, and the crisis counselor.
Report Cards and Grades
Report cards are distributed four times per year. Honor roll requires a student to achieve a 3.00 GPA or better with no grades less than a C-. High honors are reserved for students with a 3.75-3.99 grade value. Distinguished honors are awarded to students with a 4.00 GPA or better. Advanced placement courses are weighted in value. The grading system is based on letter grades: A+ (98-100), A (94-97), A- (91-93), B+ (88-90), B (84-87), B- (81-83), C+ (78-80), C (74-77), C- (71-73), D+ (68-70), D (64-67), D- (60-63), F (below 60). Advanced placement courses are weighted in value for grades of C-or above.
Center for Arts and Technology
The Center for Arts and Technology (CAT), operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, offers students options not available in their home high school. These options prepare students for a variety of careers in business and industry. Some students enrolled in CAT programs enter the world of work upon graduation from high school. In more and more cases, however, CAT programs serve as a springboard for further college study and technical training. The Intermediate Unit regularly reviews, modifies, and updates the curriculum to assure that it meets the needs of the changing workplace.
