Pomperaug Graduate Studies Show Positive Trend

At Monday’s Region 15 Board of Education meeting, Director of the Torrington-based research firm Words and Numbers Inc., Dr. Susan Carroll reported on the PHS Class of 2009’s first-year college performance.

282 graduates went to college. 200 (71%, up from 63% last year) of them permitted Region 15 official Leslie Belval to collect their college transcripts. This is the second year Pomperaug has tracked this performance, Words and Numbers Inc. has carried out both studies.

The statistics are as follows: 3.04 aggregate mean GPA (4.0=A). Following Barron’s college selectivity brackets, the most competitive four-year schools (John’s Hopkins, BC, NYU) mean GPA of 3.54; highly competitive (Villanova, Penn State), 3.21; very competitive (Quinnipiac, RIT), 3.16; competitive (Western, Roger Williams), 2.94; least-competitive (NVCC, Nova South-Eastern), 2.53. For four-year schools, 3.08. For two-year, 2.54. Public, 2.95. Private, 3.16. Males, 2.94. Females, 3.13. White, 3.04. Non-white, 3.14. All course loads were full.

There were no statistically significant differences from Class of 2008 to 2009. This represents a reliable and positive trend, albeit the mean GPA was slightly lower for 2009. Superintendent Dr. Frank H. Sippy said, “This is important data that we need to continue to monitor. It gives us a sense of relevance. It gives us a sense of productivity as to where kids are going. It is good information that the [high school] principal and her staff uses as we continue to shape and modify the program that we offer our children… We will pursue this again next year.”

Other Notes from Region 15:

Jessica Bonaventure, a senior AP Art student of Mr. Florin Firimita and Region 15 pupil since elementary school, won the 2011 National Scholastic American Visions Medal in Mixed Media for her painting ‘Parallel Universes’. Out of 165,000 submissions, 1,500 received national medals. This is the third time a Region 15 student has won. Famous alumni include Truman Capote, Richard Haas, Joyce Carol Oates and Andy Warhol. There will be an awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall May 31. Her composition will be exhibited at the World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery in Manhattan from May 31 - June 19, 2011.

The Board voted to make the day before President’s Day a no-school day for years 2011-2013 in order to allow more room for snow days.

Spring sports try-outs and practices start March 21.

Spanish Honor society will be holding a book sale on Friday. Books can be dropped off at Mr. Gagnon’s room until then. They will also be holding a Dog Show for Diabetes on March 18 in the main gym.

Pomperaug Marching Band will be marching in the St. Patrick’s day parade on Thursday in Manhattan.