Even as security changes, Washington students excel

By Ralph Plagman

Additional security measures at Washington High School have been accurately described in recent Gazette articles. A full-time police officer at the school each day is the biggest change.

A police officer has been present, on a pilot basis, at Jefferson High School for the past year with very positive results. In fact, an overwhelming majority of urban and suburban high schools across America have had police officers, known as School Resource Officers (SROs), for several years.

One reason for SROs is preventing intruders from entering schools. Another reason is to provide an opportunity for students to interact with an easily accessible police officer. In addition, the constant presence of an officer is a strong deterrent to drug activity and other illegal acts.

It is somewhat ironic that the decision to increase security comes at a time when student academic achievement and student academic ambition have never been higher. Nearly all of our high school students understand that an academically rigorous high school education is imperative for their future success in postsecondary education and in their chosen careers.

Consider these facts:

• The average ACT score of 25.0 for the Washington class of 2010 was the highest in the 53-year history of the school.
• Currently, 613 Washington students are taking college classes as a part of their normal schedules. That is possible through 25 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses are college courses taught in high schools. In May, students across America take end-of-course AP exams. A record 62 percent of all Washington High School sophomores, juniors and seniors are now taking AP courses. Many seniors are taking five AP courses.
• A record 70 percent of the graduates in the Washington class of 2010 completed four years of mathematics (three years are required), and another school record was set when nearly 60 percent of the grads completed four years of a foreign language.
• Eighty-six percent of the 2009 Washington grads went directly to a two- or four-year college the fall after high school graduation. Data is not yet complete for the 2010 graduates, but preliminary indications point to an even higher college-bound rate.

In addition to very demanding academic course loads, students are incredibly busy in co-curricular activities. At Washington, they participate in 22 sports, sing in seven choirs, play in seven bands and orchestras, dance on the dance team, and compete in speech, debate, academic decathlon, and on math and science teams. The musical “Chicago” recently enjoyed a successful run because of the efforts of nearly 100 students. And they produce a newspaper, a yearbook and literary magazines.

On top of record-level academic achievement and extensive co-curricular involvement, students are anxious to serve others. In the last few days before winter break, Washington students raised $2,500 to adopt five Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) families for the holidays, raised another $600 to buy holiday hams for families served by another agency, and tutored children at Johnson School through a National Honor Society project.

Rotary Interact members rang bells for the Salvation Army, and the Madrigal Singers provided holiday musical programs for 22 community groups. High school students are involved in community service projects throughout our city.

Cedar Rapids Washington High School students have never been better. This community can be extremely proud of its high school students, despite the social concerns that make it necessary to ramp up security in their schools.

Ralph Plagman has been a teacher and principal in Cedar Rapids high schools for 44 years, the last 30 as Washington High School principal.