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ORMA Surpasses Guilford County Average SAT Math Scores, Prepares Juniors for College

by Susan Griffin, Faculty February, 2008

The score reports for Oak Ridge Military Academy’s 2006-2007 SAT tests have been compiled, and
they show that our seniors continue to perform well against the state and local numbers. The average SAT score sent to colleges by our seniors last year was a 1476, with a 488 in the Critical Reading section, a 515 in Math, and a 473 in Writing. This closely matches the North Carolina state average of 495 in Critical Reading and exceeds the state average of 509 in Math (North Carolina does not report Reading scores). Oak Ridge’s scores also tie in with Guilford County average’s score of 498 in Critical Reading and 479 in Writing. In addition, our Math score of 515 well surpasses the Guilford County average score of 487.

In fact, our math scores improved significantly last year, while the State of North Carolina, Guilford County, and even national scores decreased. ORMA’s focus on math can be seen throughout our curriculum, as we have added new and more challenging math classes and SAT prep courses to better prepare our juniors for the SAT and college. With a renewed emphasis in the curriculum on math skills and a larger number of juniors gaining valuable testing experience that they can use this year, we are hopeful that our scores for the 2007-2008 SAT will continue to improve. In addition, as we continue to admit qualified middle school, 9th and 10th grade students, Oak Ridge can certainly give those students the best preparation possible for the SAT, college and beyond.

Our senior class of 2007 included a number of academically gifted students who chose to spend their 12th grade year at Oak Ridge as their final preparation before college. They could have looked elsewhere, and probably had their pick of more traditional college prep schools, but instead they came to us for the type of experience that they could find nowhere else in the state, and at very few other schools in the nation.

They came because they and their parents realized that Oak Ridge’s unique combination of a college prep curriculum, leadership education and opportunities for athletic participation gives students with even modest SAT scores a chance to be admitted into select universities. Since 1990, we have had 100% college acceptance by our senior class, and in the past year, our students have gained acceptance into and been offered scholarships by the following colleges, among many others: Wake Forest University, The Citadel, United States Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Tulane University, Temple University, University of Miami, University of Las Vegas-Nevada, Marshall University, Campbell University, West Texas A&M University, Georgia Military College, St. Andrew’s College, Averett University, the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, East Tennessee State University, Pfeiffer University, and Lees-McRae College.

For those parents of current Oak Ridge students, we are working with your cadets throughout the day and well into the evening to strengthen their academic performance and give them the tools they need to succeed beyond high school. Higher SAT scores are just one component that we hope will give them an edge in life. For those parents who are considering Oak Ridge, come and visit – experience what we’re all about. We are the type of school that genuinely cares about each and every student’s SAT scores, grades, behavior, athletics, and character. We worked hard to help our students excel in 2007, so let us show you what we can do in 2008!

SAT Vocabulary Quiz #1 – 10/11/2007

Directions: The 30 words listed below are frequently found in the verbal section of the SAT. The vocabulary quiz will consist of 20 words selected from the list. The quiz will be graded on a “pass/fail” basis, in order to pass the quiz you must correctly define at least 15 of the 20 words. Students who define all 20 words correctly will be given a pizza party courtesy of the Academic Dean. Students who fail the quiz will need to define all 30 words on the list by no later than Monday, October 22. They are to present the list to the Dean; if they do not turn in the list by the 22nd they will be given weekend restriction until they turn it in. Good Luck!

ACADEMIC ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WEBSITE - FALL 2007

The Academic Department of Oak Ridge Military Academy is pleased to announce that two new teachers will join the faculty for the new school year. Farrah Scodius comes to ORMA from the Guilford County Public Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has done graduate work in the medical field. Before pursuing a career in education Ms. Scodius worked as a molecular technologist at the Duke University Medical Center. Ms. Scodius will teach Algebra I, Geometry, and Statistics for the 2007-2008 school year. Marykate Holden is the newest member of the science department. Originally from Connecticut, Ms. Holden holds a master’s degree in science and has taught Biology for many years at the college level. She will be the Biology and Environmental Science teacher for the 2007-2008 school year. The Academic Department is fortunate to have added these talented teachers to the faculty.

Academic Announcements for March 2007

The Academic Department at Oak Ridge would like to welcome two new faculty members. Mr. Ed Ray comes to Oak Ridge from the Guilford County public schools. He is a veteran teacher with a master’s degree in science, and he taught at ORMA before moving to the public schools. Mr. Ray will teach Biology and Chemistry at ORMA for this school year. Mr. Michael Heller comes to ORMA from the Forsyth County public schools. He is a certified K-8 teacher. Mr. Heller will be teaching in the middle school. The Academic Department would like to welcome both of these experienced teachers to the faculty!

Academic Announcements for Spring 2007

The Academic Department of Oak Ridge Military Academy is pleased to announce the opening of the Academic Computer Lab. Located in ORMA’s classroom building, the computer lab features 13 internet-capable computers. The lab may be reserved by teachers for their classes; students may work on research projects and other class assignments. The ORMA computer class also meets in the computer lab four days a week. The lab is the product of hard work on the part of Mr. Larry Ingram, ORMA’s Network Administrator, and the students of the ORMA computer class. The Academic Department is pleased to offer this technological addition to our college-prep curriculum.