Bay
High School
Bay
High School
29230 Wolf Road
Bay Village, OH 44140
440-617-7400 (phone)
440-617-7401 (fax)
James H. Cahoon, Principal
Dianne Pachasa, Secretary
Jason Martin, Asst. Principal
Mark Smithberger, Activities/Athletic Director
Bay High School turns progressive ideas into academic success:
From its modified block schedule, to its integrated math instruction, to consistent recognition in Newsweek Magazine for placing in the top 5 percent nationally in student Advanced Placement course and test participation, Bay High School has implemented cutting-edge educational programs that have paid off in exceptionally high student achievement in academics, music and art.
Block schedule gives time to learn
With the community and staff supporting the change to a semester-based,
90-minute block schedule, the challenge in 1998 was to get the most out of it
for students and to not lose any of the positive aspects of the traditional
schedule. Teaching staff was given training to use the longer class periods in
meaningful, hands-on activities and group projects rather than doubling up on
lecture time. Flexibility in the schedule was achieved by adding 45-minute,
“skinny,” periods into the middle of the school day, allowing for a
mix-and-match approach to scheduling elective courses and, especially, music. A
common, school-wide, study period was added twice a week, called a Quality
Resource Period, which allowed students not just study time, but time when they
could meet any teacher from whom they needed additional help. In addition, a
“zero” period was added at the start of the school day when extra music courses
could be taken for credit.
As a result of this organization of time, a new requirement of 28 graduation
credits was implemented, seven more than the 21 credits required by the State of
Ohio. Students generally complete four courses in each of the two semesters
offered each year.
Math that works
A math program began two years ago which integrates the disciplines of algebra,
geometry, trigonometry and statistics instead of teaching them in separate,
consecutive courses. While this is the way math has been taught for decades
across the industrialized world, and colleges and universities have long
accepted the practice, it is a fairly new approach in Ohio. Math assessments and AP tests have continued to rise since the program’s
implementation.
Schedule adapted for music
Music is an important part of life at Bay High School. In fact, the schools have
been named to the prestigious 100 Best Music Communities in America list for
five years running (2003-2007). Because of the flexible “skinny” periods built into the
middle of the school day, as well as period “zero,” students have been able to
take advantage of multiple music offerings. Bay High now offers six choirs,
eight instrumental groups and music theory. Art, drama, athletics and clubs are
also very important, and even though the school is relatively small (around 800
students), the offerings of co-curricular activities rival those of the largest
schools in Ohio.
Reaching out to students
Bay High is a school where “everybody knows your name.” Student recognition for
achievement in all areas, whether it be academics, sports or the display of fine
character, is the norm. Rocket Notes, preprinted with the sentiment “people will
seldom remember what you say; they will sometimes remember what you do; but they
will always remember how you make them feel” leave ample room for a personal
message and are freely delivered to anyone caught doing something helpful or
kind. Both students and staff receive and deliver these messages.
School and district leadership recognizes that adolescents face many pressures
in today’s society, and a wide range of programs are offered to students that
address making good decisions in dealing with life’s challenges, peer pressure,
and in modeling good behavior and mentoring younger students. But when problems
in student behavior become evident, they are faced squarely, and a progressive
system of discipline is applied. Discipline is designed to first enforce
consequences and then offer help so that future student success is more likely
to be the outcome.
True measures of success
Perhaps the greatest measure of success, beyond the high tests
scores of every persuasion, is the fact that so many of our Bay High graduates
have gone on to make a significant contribution to our world. Our active Bay
Village Public Schools
Alumni Foundation has created the school’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of
Fame. In the summer 2007, alumni have created the Bay High Athletic Hall of Fame. The achievements of those who have gone before them are surely an
inspiration to today’s Bay High students. In addition, a surprisingly high
number of alumni return to Bay Village and send their children to its public
schools.