Classical High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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Top: Chris Marsh is tired from study- ing his physics the night before. Above: Leo Radzihovsky receives the Rensselaer Award from Mr. Yesu. Above: Jean Kim, Melissa Fox, Pamela Carr, and Elizabeth Wright received awards from noted colleges. Top: Doug Yandow worked diligently on his homework to achieve high grades. Left: Commended Merit Scholars, Hugh Curran and Jeff Lucia, stand in front of Jim Bondioli, also a Commended Scholar, and Chris Richardson, a Semi-Finalist. Missing-Stephen Roberson, a Semi-Finalist. Student Life 13

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Focus On Excellence “A Nation at Risk’’ — that was the name of the Presidential report issued in April, 4983, describing education in Amer- ica. The report was written, in part, be- cause over the past twenty years Ameri- can students have scored much lower on the College Board Exams. Thirteen per- cent of all high school graduates were functioning illiterate, and America had not remained competitive in the techno- logical fields with foreign countries. It found that mediocrity was accepted in most of our high schools; standards were no longer high, and not enough was asked of American students. Investigation showed that Classical was not a “school al risk’? and ii had maintained high academic standards over the years. Classical principal, Neil Yesu, felt that the recommendations made by the commission were an “‘en- lightment of what we do aft Classical.” And Springfield Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Donahoe, “‘welcomed”’ the report because he felt it drew public attention to the need for strong public education. An important suggestion made by the report was the institution of standard graduation requirements. If was recom- mended that a minimum of four years of English, three years of math, science, and social studies, one half year of computer science, and two years of a foreign lan- guage be taken by students. At Classical where most of the students were in the college prep program, eighty-four per- cent of the students took a foreign lan- guage such as French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Greek, Latin, or He- brew. All students must complete three years of math to receive the CP diploma. In addition, sixteen percent took a fourth year of math and two fiffh year courses were offered — AP Calculus and Prob- ability and Matrix. Physics was taken by ten percent of Classicalites and an ad- vanced placement physics course was available as well. Twenty five per cent of all juniors and seniors took the basic com- puter course. More would have liked the opportunity but could not due to lack of space and facilities. Honors level courses were available in most of the academic areas, and a significant increase in the number of students taking them was no- ticed and was due to the encourage- ment given by teachers and counselors. All that the report emphasized as being necessary in a strong curriculum was al- ready being accomplished by Classical’s program. Another recommendation made by the report was the extension of the school day and year. Both Mr. Yesu and Mr. Donahoe felt the year would be lengthened in the near future. Mr. Yesu said more “‘quality”’ time would be avail- able for students to learn. Mr. Donahoe felt that if the day was not lengthened, non-academic programs had to be cut. Classical’s efforts were not unreward- ed. Several seniors won various awards last year at the final assembly in June, 1983. For their academic excellence and activities within the school four young women were presented with Book Awards from noted Eastern colleges. Jean Kim was the recipient of the Holy Cross College prize. Dartmouth College presented Pamela Carr with their Book Award. Melissa Fox was given the Colby College Award and Elizabeth Wright ac- cepted the award from Smith College. The very presitgious Rensselaer Polytech- nic Institute Medal for excellence in math and science was given to Leo Radzi- hovsky. Classical was also honored with two merit Scholar semi-finalists, Steven Roberson and Christopher Richardson, and three Commended Merit Scholars: James Bondioli, Hugh Curran, and Jeff Lu- cia. Subject awards were presented to students who excelled in various areas such as Spanish Ill or German |, physics, and English 14 H, to name just a few. All of the young men and women exemplified the standards of excellence that Classi- cal strived to maintain. Another aspect of Classical’s perfor- mance in education was the abundance of positive feedback from graduated seniors who have gone on to college and from Springfield citizens in general. Mr. Yesu felt that from the students with whom he has spoken that they were ready for college level material. Of the class of 1983, eighty-six percent wen to college — fourty-four percent to four year colleges and fourty-two percent to two year colleges. In addition, a survey taken of Springfield citizens showed that eighty-seven percent gave the public schools a passing grade of A, B, or C. Nationally, only sixty-six percent gave public schools a passing grade. Support and interest was not lacking in Springfield in 1984. The report suggested that high schools must raise their standards if America is to become educationally competitive again. The standards which the report felt necessary to improve education na- tionwide were already in practice at Classical. Classical High School never was, and never will be, a ‘school at risk.“’ Top: Supt. Thomas Donahoe discusses the need for strong public schools while Above: Mr. Lundri- gan prepares for tomorrow.

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