The Grand Island School Community, 2004-05

We are a school community that expects and supports student achievement in academics, fine and performing arts, and interscholastic athletics.

Academics

GI has been recognized as a “Top 20” school district by Business First in 2003 and 2004.

Elementary Math – Our district has moved from 78% proficiency in 2002 to 91% proficiency in 2004. In this area, our school district’s ranking in Erie County as cited by Business First moved from 20^th to 12^th.

Elementary English/Language Arts (ELA) – GI’s ranking in Erie County as cited by Business First moved from 11^th to 7^th in 2004.

Middle School Math – Connor Middle moved from 52% proficiency to 80% proficiency. In this area, the middle school’s ranking in Erie County as cited by Business First moved from 19^th to 8^th.

Middle School ELA – Connor Middle from 54% proficiency in 2001 to 70% proficiency in 2004. In this area, the school’s ranking in Erie County as cited by Business First moved from 16^th to 8^th.

High School – Our high school’s ranking in Erie County as cited by Business First moved from 39^th to 18^th.

High School – In 2004, 166 accelerated students pursued Advanced Placement studies in: Studio Art, English, Biology, Calculus, Computer Science, Foreign Language, Physics, Psychology, US History, European History, US Government, Microeconomics, Mathematics, Music Theory, and Spanish. Eighty-four percent scored 3 or above, with fifty-two percent scoring 4 or 5.

Fine and Performing Arts

Our music program supports over 28 performing groups at all levels, including bands, jazz ensembles, string orchestras, pep band, concert band, and wind ensembles, as well as 15 choral groups with a total participation of over 1500 students. Over the last three years, our music program and its students have received numerous state and national awards for excellence.

Student art was exhibited at the NYS School Board’s Convention in Buffalo last fall and this March at the Amherst Museum.

Interscholastic Sports

Grand Island fields 55 interscholastic sports teams that offer nearly 1000 roster spots.

GI supports over 75 intramural sports programs providing after-school activities for students in grades 4-12.

This fall, all 11 varsity teams achieved New York State Scholar Athlete status.

So far in 2004-05, GI students have qualified to compete at New York State Tournaments in Girls’ Soccer, Girls’ Basketball, Boys’ Swimming (including the State Public Schools diving champion), and Indoor Track.