Fayetteville–Manlius High School Explained

Fayetteville-Manlius High School
Address:8201 E Seneca Turnpike
Zipcode:13104
Country:United States
Established:1963
Principal:Patrick McNamara
Enrollment:1,356 (2021-2022)
Teaching Staff:104.16
Ratio:13.02
Campus:Suburban
Motto:"Building on Excellence"
Mascot:Hornets
Colors:Green and White
Yearbook:Oakleaves

Fayetteville–Manlius High School (also F-M High School or FMHS) is a comprehensive New York public high school on East Seneca Turnpike in the Town of Manlius, serving grades 9–12 in the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District. It is the only high school in the district, and is the successor to both Wellwood Middle School and Eagle Hill Middle School. The school is governed under the authority of the New York State Education Department, whose standardized examinations are designed and administered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.

History

Fayetteville–Manlius High School was opened in 1963 after the 1951 merger of then separate Fayetteville and Manlius school districts and subsequent need to consolidate students into a single high school. Upon this opening, a major school restructuring was implemented, as the Fayetteville High School became Wellwood Middle School and Manlius High School became Pleasant Street Elementary (which closed in 1975). A new middle school, Eagle Hill, was also opened directly next to the high school in 1965. Space requirements, due mainly to ballooning enrollment and continued reorganization as a result of the 1951 merger, prompted the district to relocate Eagle Hill to a new building on a new campus in 1972, so the high school could expand into the junior high's previous facilities. This expansion, which connected the two buildings, now called House 2 and House 1, by a hallway and an enclosed footbridge, nearly doubled the school's footprint. F-M High School served grades 12 through 10 until 1976, when the two junior high schools became middle schools, and FM High took in 9th graders.[1]

Administration

Former principal of Mott Road Elementary School and vice principal of Fayetteville-Manlius High School itself, Patrick McNamara was selected to replace interim principal John Durkee, himself replacing longtime principal Dr. Raymond W. Kilmer, III (now superintendent of Oswego City School District), and legally began his reign on July 1, 2024. [2]

Traditions

Many of the school's traditions stem from the fact that decades ago, hornets nested in a 200-year-old oak tree that formerly stood on the old high school campus (now Wellwood Middle School).[3] [4] Because of this, the athletic teams' mascots are the Hornets, and several of the names used for the school newspaper over the years have been hornet-related (see Extracurriculars, below).

The school alma mater gives tribute to the original tree in its opening stanza, "Guarded by the old oak tree...". The alma mater is set to the melody of "Aura Lee". Its lyrics are attributed to teacher Richard Rhoades "and his music composition class".[5] The motif can also be seen in the school colors (green and white), in the district logo, and in the name of the school yearbook (Oakleaves).°–°

Demographics

Entering the 2014–15 school year there were 1460 students enrolled at F-M High School and 130 faculty members, for a student-teacher ratio of approximately 11:1.

As of the 2005–06 school year, the racial/ethnic makeup of the student population was 91.8% White, 2.7% Black or African American, 4.4% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 0.8% Hispanic. Approximately 0.5% of the population, or 8 students, demonstrated limited English proficiency. Approximately 0.8% of students qualified for a reduced-price lunch, and another 3.5% were eligible for a free lunch. Since then the Asian student population has increased significantly, and now makes up almost 10% of the school's population.

Academics and extracurriculars

Curriculum

The school focuses on graduating all students with the minimum of a Regents Diploma, but some may also graduate with a less advanced local diploma. The Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation may be achieved with extended studies in a foreign language.

Though the curriculum is developed and sanctioned by the New York State Department of Education, and classes are developed to prepare students to achieve success on the required Regents Examinations, most core courses offer one or two components that explore more advanced topics. The school offers standard level Regents courses, but also offers more advanced Honors courses, Interdisciplinary courses (in English and History), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, as well as Syracuse University courses offered through Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA). SU courses offered through Project Advance are taught at the high school by F-M faculty members (qualified by the university), and follow the same curriculum and are given the same credit as courses taught at the university. A large percentage of students opt to take SU courses offered through Project Advance instead of AP classes because their equally challenging curriculum is often more widely accepted for transfer credit by the students' successive colleges or universities.

F-M is part of an extremely small percentage in the country that does not rank students publicly with the exception of awarding valedictorian to a graduating senior. The school also uses a 100 grade point scale, as opposed to the much more common 4.0 scale, and weighs the GPA based on class difficulty level (Regents, Honors, AP, etc.). In addition, the athletic department does not participate in academic All-America honors.

Notable achievements

F-M[20] State[21] Nation[22]
Critical Reading565484501
Math593499516
Writing560478492
TOTAL171814611509

Graduation data

In 2006, the school graduated 100% of its senior class, 69% of whom received a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, and 28% of whom received a Regents Diploma. Of these graduating students, 98% continued on to higher education, 84% to a four-year college, and 14% to a two-year college. Of the remaining graduates, 1% continued into the workforce, and another 1% had unknown plans. The dropout rate also remained under 1%, about half of whom enrolled in a High School Equivalency or GED program.[23]

Extracurriculars

The student activities program offers more than fifty clubs and activities in a wide range of interests. Student-run publications include the Oakleaves yearbook, the student newspaper called The Buzz (formerly The Sting, formerly the Hornet's Nest), and a literary magazine, Voices.

The school has a Quizbowl team (which has appeared in International Academic Competitions' National History Bowl in Crystal City, Virginia) and Amnesty International Club. Fayetteville-Manlius also boasts a Model United Nations club with more than a hundred participants. The club hosts an annual Central New York MUN Conference (CNYMUN), often inviting over a thousand delegates from around New York. Another extracurricular area in which the Hornets excel is Mock Trial, where in 2016, Fayetteville–Manlius High School won the New York State Mock Trial Championship with an undefeated season record.[24]

The school has a chamber orchestra, string orchestra, concert orchestra, symphony orchestra, jazz ensemble, two bands, concert band, and wind ensemble as well as a very powerful Pep Band, and three vocal groups: choir, the select group's chorale, and Swing 16. The school also has the top Ukulele Ensemble in the Central New York area.[25]

FM also has three major stage productions during the year. The final production of the year, called Showboat, is the annual student-run talent show, a tradition reaching back several decades. Fayetteville–Manlius High School also hosts a π memorization contest, which along with other events, culminates in an annual assembly called "pi day", which typically takes place on March 14 (the date signifies the first three digits of pi.) The assembly includes song performances as well as competitions including F-M Family Feud hosted by Math Teacher Christopher Alvarez, a Rubix Cube competition, and a Pi digit reciting competition -- of which Elliot McDaniel has won two years consecutively. [26]

In the 2023-2024 school year, F-M Fishing Club arose to prominence, boasting a count of over a hundred members under the administration of co-presidents James Cao and Benny Liu. The club has and continues to work towards building the love for fishing at F-M, and having students attend fishing field trips to local ponds.

Athletics

F-M's 32 varsity teams compete in the Metro Division of the SCAC, Section III of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA),[27] and Section III of the New York State Scholastic Rowing Association.[28] The teams include:

bgcolor="355E3B"
Fallcheerleading, cross country, field hockey, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyballcross country, football, golf, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading
Winterbasketball, bowling, cheerleading, indoor trackbasketball, bowling, ice hockey, indoor track, swimming, wrestling, cheerleading
Springcrew, golf, lacrosse, softball, trackbaseball, crew, lacrosse, tennis, track

Notable athletic achievements

Facilities

The science wing, opened in 1998, includes eight laboratories and a large group instruction room.The "overpass", at the middle of the school (now closed), connected its two main sections; "House 1" (primarily English and Social Studies) and "House 2" (primarily Science, Mathematics, and Technology). The school also opened a new Art Wing in 2000.Subsequent additions and renovations have allowed the school to keep up with advances in technology, increases in enrollment, and changes in curriculum.

Notable incidents

"Grinding"

During the 2006–2007 school year, the school gained national attention due to controversial policies implemented at school-sponsored dances. Catching the attention of The New York Times in a December 17, 2006 article, was the decision by principal James Chupaila to ban "grinding", or any forms of perceived "suggestive dancing styles", at school dances, and to cancel one dance altogether for fear it could become a moral and legal liability.[61]

Cheating scandal

During the 2007–2008 school year, F-M was again in the news when the FBI was consulted in an investigation at Fayetteville–Manlius High School.At a faculty meeting Administrators disclosed that there was breach in computer network security.One student was caught trying to remove an electronic monitoring device (a hardware keylogger) from a school computer on October 24, 2007. Another student was caught trying to break into the school earlier that day, and the third was found waiting in a nearby car.[62] Further investigation implicated eight students altogether, two of them graduates attending college (Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University). The students faced criminal charges, some of them charged with multiple felonies.[63]

Notable alumni

The school district, in conjunction with the Fayetteville-Manlius Education Foundation, has instituted a Fayetteville-Manlius Hall of Distinction, which is said "to recognize and celebrate Fayetteville-Manlius for the accomplishments of its graduates."[64] These are some of the notable alumni who have been inducted, among many others:

2000

2001

2004

2009

Not inducted

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: District History and Accomplishments . Fayetteville-Manlius School District . 2006-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061207172302/http://www.fmschools.org/district.cfm . 2006-12-07 . dead .
  2. https://www.fmschools.org/board-of-education-appoints-new-f-m-high-school-principal/
  3. http://fmhornetfootball.tripod.com/id4.html FM Football: A Tradition in Pride and Excellence
  4. Web site: Wellwood 75th and Arbor day Celebration . News 10 Now: In Your Neighborhood . News 10 Now . 2007-04-24 . 2007-12-30 .
  5. Web site: Alma Mater . Fayetteville-Manlius School District . 2006-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928150209/http://www.fmschools.org/district.cfm?subpage=85 . 2007-09-28 . dead .
  6. http://www.soinc.org/tournaments/2000/ctopten.htm C Results, 2000 National Science Olympiad
  7. http://www.soinc.org/tournaments/2005/C_Div.pdf 2005 Science Olympiad National Results
  8. Web site: 2006 Science Olympiad National Results . 2007-01-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121004220429/http://www.indiana.edu/%7Enso/pdf/final_scores_c.pdf . 2012-10-04 . dead .
  9. http://webs.wichita.edu/nso/results/C%20Division%20final%20scores%20by%20rank.pdf 2007 Science Olympiad National Results
  10. Web site: Welcome to the National Science Olympiad . 2009-08-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090301141255/http://www.aug.edu/nso/ . 2009-03-01 .
  11. http://newyorkscioly.org/SOPages/cstate2014.html N.Y.S Science Olympiad C-Division State Information – 2013–2014
  12. http://www.newyorkscioly.org/SOPages/cstate2008.html C-Division State Information – 2004–2005
  13. http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1173603766233640.xml&coll=1 "F-M wins 5th state Science Olympiad"
  14. http://www.expansionmanagement.com/smo/articleviewer/default.asp?cmd=articledetail&articleid=16912&st=5 Education Quotient, Expansion Management
  15. http://www.grammyintheschools.com/ Grammy in the Schools
  16. http://amc-music.org/news/articles/survey/final2007.htm American Music Conference's "Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America"
  17. http://www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/enter.htm Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
  18. Web site: "FM Art Students Receive National Recognition" – FM Art News . 2007-01-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724182401/http://www.fmschools.org/arts.cfm?subpage=2534 . 2011-07-24 . dead .
  19. http://www.hodgkinsandohara.com/Docs/Manlius%20Neighborhood%20Report%2008042005.pdf Town of Manlius Neighborhood Report
  20. Web site: School Profile, 2010–11 . 2011-01-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110627153600/http://www.fmschools.org/files/filesystem/profile%202010-11%20webpost.pdf . 2011-06-27 . dead .
  21. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/NY_10_03_03_01.pdf New York Profile Report, 2010 College-Bound Seniors
  22. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/2010-total-group-profile-report-cbs.pdf Total Group Profile Report, 2010 College Bound Seniors
  23. Web site: New York State School Report Card: 2005–06 Comprehensive Information Report . . 2007-06-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204908/https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb-rc/2006/CIR-2006-421001060002.pdf . 2007-09-27 .
  24. Web site: Fayetteville-Manlius wins New York State Mock Trial tournament. 18 May 2016 .
  25. Web site: The Ukulele Experience. .
  26. Web site: Gabalski . Joseph A . Student Activities Booklet . Fayetteville-Manlius School District . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928150217/http://www.fmschools.org/files/1221/Activities%20Booklet.pdf . dead . 2007-09-28 . 2006-12-06 .
  27. Web site: New York State Public High School Athletic Association. 2020-10-19. www.nysphsaa.org.
  28. Web site: NYSRowing.com - Welcome . 2007-05-03 . dead . https://archive.today/20070627173143/http://www.nysrowing.com/ . 2007-06-27 .
  29. http://rise.espn.go.com/track-and-xc/us/2010-xc/NXN/NXN-Finals-Girls-Story.aspx NXN Girls' Final: Manlius 'Magnificent Seven' won't be denied: Stunning 27 pt. total for F-M girls, as Rachel Johnson takes individual crown
  30. http://www.dyestat.com//?pg=us-2008-NXN-Finals-Girls-Championship 2008 Nike Cross Nationals Girls' Championship Results
  31. http://www.dyestat.com//?pg=us-2008-NXN-Finals US#1s Rule: Manlius XC, North Spokane XC!
  32. http://www.dyestat.com/?pg=us2007NTNFinalsGirlsChampionship 2007 Nike Team Nationals Girls' Results – "Manlius NY 83 repeats, 8 – 9 – 10 – 19 – 37 adds up to record 88-point margin" – Dyestat
  33. http://www.dyestat.com/?pg=us2006NikeTeamNationalsChampionshipGirls 2006 Nike Team Nationals Girls' Results – "New York sweeps – Fayetteville-Manlius ends dream season with 50-point win." – Dyestat
  34. http://www.syracuse.com/sports/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/116513997721760.xml&coll=1&thispage=1 "F-M girls bask in national spotlight" – The Post Standard (12/3/2006).
  35. Web site: DyeStat.com. 2020-10-19. www.runnerspace.com.
  36. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/?pursuit=TrackAndXC POWERADE FAB 50 ESPN RISE – 2010 Girls' Team Rankings
  37. http://www.eaglenewsonline.com/Articles-c-2010-11-19-94905.114134-FM-cross-country-girls-win-fifth-straight-AA-state-title.html F-M cross country girls win fifth straight AA state title
  38. http://www.tullyrunners.com/XC2007/NYS_Girls07.htm 2007 NYSPHSAA Girls' Championships – TullyRunners
  39. http://www.dyestat.com//?pg=reg1-2008-XC-NY-NYSPHSAA-Championships&PHPSESSID=6aca36fcb5c851e82c2de70cfd26b0aa 2008 NYSPHSAA Championships Results – DyeStat
  40. http://www.tullyrunners.com/XC2009/NYS_Girls2009.htm 2009 NYSPHSAA Girls' XC Championships Results – TullyRunners
  41. http://www.dyestat.com//?pg=reg12007XCNY-Federation 2007 NYS Federation Championships – "Fay-Man girls romp again; titles for Emily Lipari, Pat DuPont, and Shen boys" – Dyestat
  42. http://www.dyestat.com/?pg=reg1NYFeds2006 "Fayetteville-Manlius girls win again. Shen boys, Tommy Gruenewald, and Hannah Davidson also win" -Dyestat (11/18/2006)
  43. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/?pursuit=TrackAndXC POWERADE FAB 50 ESPN RISE – 2010 Boys' Team Rankings
  44. http://rise.espn.go.com/track-and-xc/us/2010-xc/NXN/NXN-Finals-Boys-Story.aspx NXN Boys' Final: Arcadia brings an end to the California Dreamin': Lukas Verzbicas takes individual title to set up potential double at FL Nationals
  45. http://www.dyestat.com/3us/4xc/NTN/meet/boys.htm 2004 Nike Team Nationals Results – Dyestat.
  46. http://www.dyestat.com/3us/5xc/NTN/nationals/r-boys.htm 2005 Nike Team Nationals Results – Dyestat.
  47. http://www.armorytrack.com/xc04/federation.htm 2004 NYSPHSAA Federation Championship Results
  48. http://www.armorytrack.com/meets/NY-State/XC/Federation/2005/results.htm 2005 NYSPHSAA Federation Championship Results
  49. http://www.tullyrunners.com/XC2009/NYS_Boys2009.htm 2009 NYSPHSAA Boys' XC Championships Results- TullyRunners
  50. http://nikeoutdoor.nationalscholastic.org/news.php?newsid=696 2006 Nike Outdoor Nationals Results
  51. http://nikeindoor.nationalscholastic.org/result.php?resultid=758 2006 Nike Indoor Nationals Results
  52. http://www.laxpower.com/update04/bingrl/XFAYNY.PHP 2004 F-M Girls' Lacrosse Results and Computer Ratings – LaxPower
  53. http://www.laxpower.com/update05/bingrl/natlccr.php 2005 Girls' Lacrosse National CCR Rankings -LaxPower
  54. http://www.laxpower.com/hschamps/champs2004g.php 2004 Girls' Lacrosse State Champions – LaxPower
  55. http://www.laxpower.com/hschamps/champs2005g.php 2005 Girls' Lacrosse State Champions – LaxPower
  56. http://www.laxpower.com/hschamps/champs2006g.php 2006 Girls' Lacrosse State Champions – LaxPower
  57. https://web.archive.org/web/20060927084724/http://racetrak.com/central/public/RaceResultsrep.asp?RegattaChoice=111&IncludeAge=on&PartChoice=ALL&SortingChoice=ASCALL&HeatChoice=ALL&EventChoice=1034 2006 New York State Scholastic Rowing Championship Girl's 2nd 8+ Results – Racetrack.com
  58. http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=49265&tclass= 2003 NYSPHSAA Girls' Tennis Championships, Doubles Results
  59. http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=83569&tclass= 2004 NYSPHSAA Girls' Tennis Championships, Doubles Results
  60. Web site: F-M voters approve $52 million facilities project.
  61. News: York . Michelle . High Schools Crack Down: Dance Nice or Not at All . . December 17, 2006 . 2007-01-04 .
  62. News: Porter . Sue Weibezahl . Police: 3 F-M students caught tampering with computers . . October 30, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071108221618/http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-12%2F1194429895132160.xml&coll=1 . dead . November 8, 2007 . 2018-02-18 . mdy-all .
  63. News: Doran . Elizabeth . Police say F-M students cheated on SATs, more . . November 7, 2007 . 2007-11-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071108221618/http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-12%2F1194429895132160.xml&coll=1 . 2007-11-08 . dead .
  64. Web site: Hall of Distinction Home Page . Fayetteville-Manlius Education Foundation . 2016-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160328042600/http://fmschools.org/district.cfm?subpage=15998 . 2016-03-28 . dead .
  65. Web site: Nina Fedoroff, Class of 1960, Inducted in 2009 . 2011-01-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724182926/http://www.fmschools.org/community.cfm?subpage=16085 . 2011-07-24 . dead .
  66. https://swimswam.com/bio/ashley-twichell/ "Ashley Twichell - Bio"
  67. https://fmhornets.com/honors/hall-of-fame/ashley-twichell/28 "Hall of Fame - Ashley Twichell"