Ward Melville High School
Encyclopedia
Ward Melville High School is a public high school
in the Three Village Central School District
of Suffolk County, New York
on Long Island
, serving grades ten
through twelve
. It is fed by the two junior high schools in the district: Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School and Robert Cushman Murphy Junior High School, and is named after businessman and philanthropist Ward Melville
.
Located sixty miles from Manhattan in the Three Village area, Ward Melville High School is situated in East Setauket, New York. The school serves students from East Setauket
, South Setauket
, Stony Brook
, Old Field
, Strongs Neck
, and Poquott
.
As of the 2005–06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,865 students and 129.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 14.5.
The building was originally designed to have 290700 square feet (27,006.9 m²) with capacity for 2,000 students, and two new wings were built in 2000 to accommodate the growth of the student body over the years. Each of the three grades currently has approximately 700 students.
The district provides for numerous clubs and activities after school, including a musical–theater arts program and many sports teams. The school offers 25 different Advanced Placement
courses and another 25 college courses that are offered credit through several colleges and universities.
The school has been expanded several times to accommodate the growing number of students attending Ward Melville High School. In 2002, two extra wings were added to the northeastern and southeastern corners of the school. During the 2009-2010 school year, a new weight training facility was completed in the rear of the school while the music rooms were renovated. In the 2010-2011 school year, an additional wing was built to house the science department while the auditorium and the library was refurbished.
and carries this designation on each student's transcript and diploma. It was ranked within the top 500 high schools in America in 2004 by MSNBC Newsweek.
The proximity of Ward Melville to the State University of New York at Stony Brook
has encouraged the school to house a very strong science research program. This program annually produces many winners in the Intel Science Talent Search
, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
and other science competitions. In 1998, Ward Melville had the highest number of Science Talent Search finalists in the United States (4 out of 40), and in 2006, it tied for the greatest number of semifinalists (12 out of 300).
In 2008, Ward Melville achieved the highest number of Intel Semifinalists in the nation with 13 students. Over the past nine years, 2002–2010, Ward Melville has produced a total of 85 Intel semi-finalists and 11 finalists, the third-most of any secondary school in the United States.
of Ward Melville High School include:
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in the Three Village Central School District
Three Village Central School District
Three Village Central School District is a school district located in Long Island, New York. It serves Setauket, East Setauket, Stony Brook, Poquott, Old Field, and small portions of Port Jefferson Station, Saint James and South Setauket/Centereach...
of Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, serving grades ten
Tenth grade
In majority of the world,Tenth grade is the tenth year of school post-kindergarten. The variants of "10th grade" in various nations is described below.-Australia:...
through twelve
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
. It is fed by the two junior high schools in the district: Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School and Robert Cushman Murphy Junior High School, and is named after businessman and philanthropist Ward Melville
Ward Melville
John Ward Melville was an American philanthropist, and businessman, born to Frank Melville, Jr. Ward Melville attended college at Columbia University, where he was active in the Columbia Daily Spectator and the Philolexian Society. Following graduation in 1909, Melville joined his father's shoe...
.
Located sixty miles from Manhattan in the Three Village area, Ward Melville High School is situated in East Setauket, New York. The school serves students from East Setauket
Setauket-East Setauket, New York
Setauket-East Setauket is a census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island along the "Gold Coast." As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 15,931. It is one of the most affluent communities in the state and is among the wealthiest towns...
, South Setauket
South Setauket, New York
South Setauket, New York can refer to:* The southern part of Setauket-East Setauket, New York* The northern part of Centereach, New York that borders Setauket that is served by the Three Village Central School District instead of the Middle Country Central School District....
, Stony Brook
Stony Brook, New York
Stony Brook is a hamlet located in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York, which is on the North Shore of Long Island...
, Old Field
Old Field, New York
Old Field is a village of 918 residents in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The Incorporated Village of Old Field is in the town of Brookhaven, on the North Shore of Long Island. It is one of the most affluent communities in the state and is among the wealthiest towns in the United States...
, Strongs Neck
Strongs Neck, New York
Strongs Neck is a peninsula just south of Long Island Sound and hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island.Strongs Neck is part of the Town of Brookhaven. Census data is included in Setauket-East Setauket, New York....
, and Poquott
Poquott, New York
Poquott is a village in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 975 at the 2000 census.The Incorporated Village of Poquott is within the Town of Brookhaven, on the North Shore of Long Island.-Geography:...
.
As of the 2005–06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,865 students and 129.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 14.5.
The building was originally designed to have 290700 square feet (27,006.9 m²) with capacity for 2,000 students, and two new wings were built in 2000 to accommodate the growth of the student body over the years. Each of the three grades currently has approximately 700 students.
The district provides for numerous clubs and activities after school, including a musical–theater arts program and many sports teams. The school offers 25 different Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
courses and another 25 college courses that are offered credit through several colleges and universities.
The school has been expanded several times to accommodate the growing number of students attending Ward Melville High School. In 2002, two extra wings were added to the northeastern and southeastern corners of the school. During the 2009-2010 school year, a new weight training facility was completed in the rear of the school while the music rooms were renovated. In the 2010-2011 school year, an additional wing was built to house the science department while the auditorium and the library was refurbished.
Achievements
Ward Melville High School has been recognized as a School of Excellence by the United States Department of EducationUnited States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
and carries this designation on each student's transcript and diploma. It was ranked within the top 500 high schools in America in 2004 by MSNBC Newsweek.
The proximity of Ward Melville to the State University of New York at Stony Brook
State University of New York at Stony Brook
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, also known as Stony Brook University, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, about east of Manhattan....
has encouraged the school to house a very strong science research program. This program annually produces many winners in the Intel Science Talent Search
Intel Science Talent Search
The Intel Science Talent Search , known for its first 57 years as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search is a research-based science competition in the United States for high school seniors. It has been referred to as "the nation's oldest and most prestigious" science competition. In his speech...
, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is the largest pre-college scientific research event in the world, and is owned and administered by the Society for Science & the Public a 501 non-profit organization based in Washington, DC...
and other science competitions. In 1998, Ward Melville had the highest number of Science Talent Search finalists in the United States (4 out of 40), and in 2006, it tied for the greatest number of semifinalists (12 out of 300).
In 2008, Ward Melville achieved the highest number of Intel Semifinalists in the nation with 13 students. Over the past nine years, 2002–2010, Ward Melville has produced a total of 85 Intel semi-finalists and 11 finalists, the third-most of any secondary school in the United States.
Notable alumni
Notable alumniAlumnus
An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...
of Ward Melville High School include:
- Marco BeltramiMarco BeltramiMarco Beltrami is an American film composer.-Life and career:Beltrami was born in Long Island, New York of Italian and Greek descent...
(Class of 1984) - professional film composer (ScreamScream (film series)Scream is a series of American horror slasher films created by Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven. The films star Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. The series has grossed over $600 million in worldwide box-office receipts and consists, to date, of four motion pictures...
) - Andrew Scheps (Class of 1984) - Grammy winning record producer/engineer (U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
) - Howard S. BergerHoward S. BergerHoward S. Berger is an avant garde filmmaker, co-winner of the "Best Screenplay" award for Love & Support , and winner of a Fantafestival film award for his film Original Sins....
(Class of 1982) - avant garde film-maker - Greg CattranoGreg CattranoGreg "The Cat" Cattrano is a retired lacrosse goaltender, who is recognized as one of the most successful and accomplished goaltenders in the history of the sport.-High school career:...
(Class of 1993) - MLLMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
goalie for the Baltimore BayhawksBaltimore BayhawksThe Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the... - Frances ConroyFrances ConroyFrances Conroy is an American actress. She is best known for playing Ruth, the matriarch of the Fisher family, on Six Feet Under, which earned her a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.-Early life:...
(Class of 1971) - actress (Six Feet Under - Eric CorleyEric CorleyEric Gordon Corley, Born December 16, 1959, also frequently referred to by his pen name of Emmanuel Goldstein, is a figure in the hacker community...
(Class of 1978) - Writer, founder of 2600: the hacker quarterly, Director of freedom downtime - Chris DieterichChris DieterichChristian Jeffrey Dieterich is a retired American football player who played his entire career with the Detroit Lions from 1980 to 1986.-Early life and college career:...
(Class of 1976) - NFL lineman for the Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, 1980–86 - Michael R. DouglasMichael R. DouglasMichael R. Douglas is an American theoretical physicist and professor currently at Stony Brook University.Michael R. Douglas was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the son of Nancy and Ronald G. Douglas, a mathematician specializing in operator algebras. He received his bachelor's degree in physics...
(Class of 1979) - worldwide leading string theorist - Brooke EllisonBrooke EllisonBrooke Ellison was the very first quadriplegic to graduate from Harvard University. In 2000, she was selected by her fellow students to speak at the University's commencement ceremonies....
(Class of 1996) - the first quadriplegic to graduate from Harvard University - Armando Alejandro Estrada (Class of 1995) - Professional wrestler
- Mick FoleyMick FoleyMichael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
(Class of 1983) - professional wrestler and author - John FugelsangJohn FugelsangJohn Fugelsang is an American actor, television personality and stand-up comedian.-Stage and screen:...
(Class of 1987) - host of America's Funniest Home Videos, 1997–2000 - Jarrod Gorbel (Class of 1993) - indie singer-songwriter
- Kevin James (Class of 1983) - comedian/actor (The King of QueensThe King of QueensThe King of Queens is an American sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007.This show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television ,and CBS Television Studios in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures...
). - Brian MacDevittBrian MacDevittBrian MacDevitt is a lighting designer for theatrical productions. He has worked extensively on Broadway and Off Broadway, as well as touring, Regional theatre, and Industrial productions....
(Class of 1973) - world renowned tap dancer and four-time Tony Award-winning lighting designer - R.A. The Rugged ManR.A. The Rugged ManR. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
- hip hop artist - Todd SauerbrunTodd SauerbrunTodd Scott Sauerbrun is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft...
(Class of 1991) - retired NFL punter who played for the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, and then finally the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
] 1995–2007. - Gary ValentineGary ValentineGary Valentine is an American actor and comedian. He is the older brother of actor Kevin James.-Career:Gary was featured in the movie Comedian, and appeared as Doug Heffernan's cousin Danny on the television show The King of Queens. He's featured in the film Velocity Rules...
(Class of 1979) - comedian (The King of QueensThe King of QueensThe King of Queens is an American sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007.This show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television ,and CBS Television Studios in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures...
) - Joyce YangJoyce YangJoyce Yang is a classical pianist.She began playing piano at age four as her aunt's first piano student . At age nine, Yang went to New York with her mother and aunt to play for Yoheved Kaplinsky...
(Class of 2004) - Concert Pianist; Silver Medalist, 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.