The Chatterbox, Volume 81, Issue 1, Oct. 15, 2002

Galileo off to a rocket start

Galileo Magnet School begins year offering network communications, principles of flight and astronomy classes

BY KRISTIN FARR, CO-SPORTS EDITOR and
ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Danville’s first technology-based high school is attended by ninth-graders through eleventh-graders. The school offers English, history, social studies, theater arts, PE, health, French and Spanish classes as well as a journalism class that will produce a yearbook and newsletters.

It also provides students with the opportunity to take a variety of other classes not typically offered in high schools. These classes include advanced network communications, principles of flight and astronomy.

“Students choose an area of interest called a strand; it is like deciding a major in high school,” said Vicki Jenkins, site administrator for the Galileo School. These strands are air and space, biotechnology and advanced network communications.

Principles of flight, astronomy and aerodynamics are the classes required for the study of aviation. Along with these, students studying biotechnology take classes involving the study of cell biology and DNA. Computer networking and communications allow students to study computer ethics, virtual reality, desktop publishing and e-commerce.

These study themes, or strands, provided by teachers for the students allow them to enjoy electives while keeping them focused on one central subject. In many classes the students are divided up into groups at different tables.

Each group is allowed a laptop to work with making the learning more hands-on. The teachers have been trained to use problem-based learning, where they give a problem to solve instead of lecturing. “The technology is really good. There are nine or 10 laptops and two desktop computers in every class,” said Priscilla Shrodt, sophomore.

“A Magnet grant of $8 million provided the money to buy all the technology in the school, the materials needed to teach the courses, the curriculum development and teacher training, the school’s sign, and the furnishing of the building. Danville Schools pay for teacher salaries, the running of the cafeteria and the funds for basic renovations,” said Jenkins.

According to Jenkins, there are still renovations that have not yet been completed. “The research center has not been built. There is still work to be done,” she said.

She also added that in order to accommodate more students in the future, more space will need to be refurbished and that a segment of the building is not currently being used. “It all depends on how much space we have allocated as to how many students we will have,” Jenkins said.

The majority of students at The Galileo School are from Danville schools. Others are from Pittsylvania County, Caswell County, N.C., and private schools, and some have previously been home schooled. Transportation is only provided for students who live in Danville.

Though the students decided to attend the new school for a variety of different reasons, many said the technology and size were key reasons for their decision.

“It is very open. All the teachers are there all the time helping us,” said Elizabeth Tysor, freshman.

“The students like it being small, and they like the fact that it is new for everybody,” Jenkins said.

Sean Talts, junior, said that he chose to go to Galileo School because of the high level of classes and the fact that it will look good on college applications. Though the school has not been approved yet, it is applying to offer an International Baccalaureate program.

“The International Baccalaureate program allows students to take classes that are even more demanding than the Advanced and Advanced Placement classes,” said Joshua Morris, freshman. The chance to apply for the International Baccalaureate program is only offered to the current ninth graders.

According to Morris, colleges should automatically accept these credits without question, allowing students to apply to international universities and colleges.

Students who attend the Galileo School are not eligible to participate in sports or extracurricular activities at GW. However, Jenkins said that the school already has some of its own clubs and will get more. “They will come as we grow; it will be what the students want. We will have a Key Club and an Astronomy Club. We are developing things that the students express an interest in,” said Jenkins. The school also hopes to develop a dance troupe and will form a Student Council in October.