Coloma High School
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300 W. St. Joseph Street
Coloma, MI 49038
Phone (269) 468-2400
Fax (269) 468-2423
“Home of the Comets”
David A. Ehlers, Principal
Fred Paulsen, Assistant Principal
Fran Megyese, Counselor
www.ccs.coloma.org/colhs
May 5, 2014
Dear Community Member;
Our vision for Coloma High School is “Together…striving and working for excellence in education.” We
believe strongly in the partnership for education between the student, the parent, and the school as it drives
our actions each day as we pursue excellence in education.
At Coloma High School, our job is to create a sturdy foundation of knowledge and skills for each student.
Our school creates a place for lifelong friendships, artistic creativity, athletic competition, and imparts a
sense of ethics and personal responsibility. Each day the people who work at Coloma High School meet the
challenges, while implementing best practices and innovative ideas for improvement.
In this difficult state budget environment, we were able to maintain the same educational and extracurricular
activity opportunities that were offered last year, as well as adding additional Advanced Placement classes
for the 2013-14 school year.
As a proud member of the Coloma district, it is my sincere hope that every student who attends Coloma
High school will immerse themselves not only within the academic program but also in the many activities
and athletic opportunities that are available. Everyone in the Coloma School community should feel invited
to be full participants in the education and development of our next generation.
I am proud to have the
opportunity to work with the many incredible educators on our staff, to serve a great student body and to
partner with parents and the Coloma community in providing an excellent learning experience for every
student who attends our school.
To learn more about Coloma High School, please visit our web page located at www.ccs.coloma.org/colhs
or follow us on Twitter @ColomaHS.
Go COMETS!
David A. Ehlers
David A. Ehlers
Principal
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
We are pleased to present you with the Annual Education Report (AER) which provides
key information on the 2013-2014 educational progress for the Coloma High School.
The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by federal and state
laws. The school’s report contains information about student assessment,
accountability and teacher quality. If you have any questions about the AER, please
contact David Ehlers for assistance.
The AER is available for you to review electronically by visiting the following web site
www.ccs.coloma.org/colhs or you may review a copy in the principal’s office at your
child’s school.
The state has identified some schools with the status of Reward, Focus or Priority. A
Reward school is one that is outperforming other schools in achievement, growth, or is
performing better than other schools with a similar student population. A Focus school is
one that has a large achievement gap in 30% of its student achievement scores. A
Priority school is one whose achievement and growth is in the lowest 5% of all schools
in the state.
State law requires that we also report additional information.
ASSIGNING PUPILS TO THE SCHOOL
The High School houses all of the district’s 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Each student
is assigned to classes based on their four-year plan with parent approval and guidance
counselor assistance. Students are assigned by their resident address within school
boundaries. In addition, families may also apply for School of Choice from Berrien, Cass
and Van Buren County school districts during an annual application window.
THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
A complete copy of the 3-5 year School Improvement Plan is located on the High
School website at www.ccs.coloma.org
Coloma High School is in the middle stages of implementing our school improvement
plan. We are excited to continue working towards our curricular goals in the areas of
Math, Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts.
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS
Specialized schools provide educational alternatives and opportunities for handicapped students
as well as meeting their special needs. These programs are an integral part of the continuum of
educational services available to special students in Berrien County. Following is a brief
description of the specialized schools that serve Coloma Public School District students.
BLOSSOMLAND LEARNING CENTER
BERRIEN REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
The purpose of Blossomland Learning Center is to provide services to students who have been
diagnosed as moderate to severe cognitive impairment up to age 26 who reside within the
Berrien Regional Education Service Agency. The school assists students in preparing for entry
into their respective communities. Eleven (11) Coloma Public School District resident(s)
attended this program during the 2013-14 school year. Students are placed in the program
through an Individual Educational Planning Committee composed of local district and Berrien
RESA diagnostic and educational staff.
LIGHTHOUSE EDUCATION CENTER
BERRIEN REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN
The Lighthouse Education Center program is operated as a therapeutic and educational program
for students diagnosed as severe emotional impairement up to age 26 who reside within the
Berrien Regional Education Service Agency. These students exhibit a severity of emotional
difficulties which prohibits them from regular attendance within the resident district. During the
2013-14 school year, four (4) Coloma Public School District resident(s) attended this program,
with the goal of eventual re-integration into the resident district's educational system.
HEARING IMPAIRED PROGRAM
BERRIEN SPRINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
The Berrien County Hearing Impaired Program provides educational services for hearing
impaired students from Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. During the 2013-14 school year,
zero (0) student(s) from Coloma Public School District attended the program, which includes
children from pre-school age through 26 years. This program is operated by the Berrien Springs
Public Schools and is funded by the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency. In addition to
classroom and teacher consultant services, the program also serves as a diagnostic center and
employs an audiologist for the purpose of assessing severity and type of hearing loss. Some
students, when determined educationally appropriate by an Individualized Educational Planning
Committee, are educated in their resident district with the support of a teacher consultant
provided by the Hearing Impaired Program.
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
SOUTHSIDE PROGRAM
NILES COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
NILES, MI
Niles operates center based programs for low incidence special education students needing a full
time placement.
The program for the Severely Emotionally Impaired (SEI) includes students with severe
emotional or behavioral problems. These students receive a very strict, highly structured
program designed to change inappropriate behavior patterns and allow learning to take place.
Expectations for performance are high with the goal of successful readmission to their former
school. Classroom programs serve students ages 10 through 25.
Students in the Pre-Vocational program have below average ability levels, making success in
their local high schools extremely difficult. Often their low ability is compounded by a weak
self concept and inadequate social skills. Once at Southside a few may pursue a Certificate of
Completion, but most will follow a curriculum designed to promote independent living.
Classrooms are available to serve ages 16 through 25.
During the 2013-14 school year, zero (0) students from the Coloma Public School District
attended this program.
Core Curriculum
Coloma Community Schools follows a local core curriculum that defines educational
outcomes to be achieved by all students and is based on the district's educational
mission and locally developed goals and objectives for students. As mandated by the
State of Michigan, Coloma Community Schools has developed a core curriculum at all
school levels. Outcomes to be achieved by all students have been defined based upon
the district’s educational mission, student performance objectives, and the Common
Core Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, the Michigan Grade Level
Content expectations for K-8 students in Science and Social Studies, and the Michigan
High School Content Expectations for 9-12. Copies of core curriculum are available at
all buildings and at the district office.
Parent Involvement Policy
Coloma Community School Board Policy: “The board strongly encourages and
welcomes the involvement of parent(s)/guardian(s) in all of the District’s educational
programs. It is recognized and appreciated that parents/guardians are the “first
teachers” of their children, and that their interest and involvement in the education of
their children should not diminish once their child enters the school of the District.”
Amended December 20, 2004.
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Pride Points 2013-2014
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Started a Student of the Month program
A CHS project was placed on the cover of the Fall-Winter Journal of the Michigan Industrial
and Technology Education Society for the third year in a row.
Awarded a recycling grant for $150 in October and $1000 in April
Over 100 students on the Honor Roll each marking period
Marching Band placed 3rd at Otsego, 1st at Hastings, and 1st Division Rating at band festival
(9th year in a row)
Over 50% of school participated in the Comets for a Cause Pink Out Day
Stuff-A-Truck: over 955 non-perishable items collected for charity
Spanish 2 students participated in a night out at with their families at a Mexican restaurant
Started an after school peer tutoring program
Started a Freshman Orientation Program with student teen leaders serving as mentors
Comet Innovations (our entrepreneurship class) signed a partnership with H&R Block
Implemented an ACT Prep class
100% of students attended and completed the Spring MME/ACT Test.
$630 raised by the Future Educators of America in support of the Red Dress
Robotics Team
o 1st at the West Michigan Robotics Event at Zeeland West High School
o Quarterfinalist (seeded 3rd) at Escanaba Michigan District Event
 Won Industrial Safety Award
o Finalist at Boilermaker Regional Event (seeded 18th)
o Semifinalist at St. Joseph District Event (seeded 2nd)
 Won Judges Award
o Qualified for Michigan State Championship for 5th year in a row
o Qualified and participated in the National Event at St. Louis, MO for the second year
in a row
25 Students enrolled in Advanced Placement Language and Composition
12 Students enrolled in Advanced Placement Calculus AB
5 students enrolled in on-line Advanced Placement classes
49 students earning Direct Credit through Career and Technical Classes through Lake
Michigan College
Undergoing a renovation of parts of CHS as part of district wide $19.6 million bond. (new
athletic complex, renovation of all science labs, renovation of cafeteria & kitchen,
renovation of auditorium, new office area, new choir and band rooms, renovation of old
band room into art room).
Implemented a Writing Across the Curriculum program.
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Parent Teacher Conference
Year
# Attending
Fall
Spring
% Attending
Fall
Spring
2011-12
94
78
23%
19%
2012-13
81
31
19%
7%
2013-14
61
19
23%
5%
Teacher Quality Reporting
Other
Professional Qualifications of All Public Elementary and
Secondary School Teachers in the School
BA
MA
9
PHD
19
1
Professional Qualifications are defined by the State and may include information such as the degrees of public school
teachers (e.g. percentage of teachers with Bachelor’s Degrees or Masters Degrees) or the percentage of fully
certified teachers
Certification Percent
Percentage of Public Elementary and Secondary School Teachers
in the School with Emergency Certification
0.00%
School Aggregate
Percentage of Core Academic Subject Elementary and Secondary
School Classes not Taught by Highly Qualified Teachers
0.00%
Additional Information
Percent of Students with Dual
Enrollment
Percent of students enrolled in
College Equivalent Courses offered
Percent of students enrolled in
college equivalent courses
Percentage of students receiving a
score leading to college credit
1.0%
13.0%
16.0%
83.0%
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
School-Level Student Assessment Data- State Generated through
mischooldata.org
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education
Thank you to the board of education, the staff, students and community for
the continued support as we work diligently to improve our educational
practices and our student outcomes. We have experienced great success
and look forward to continuing the long history of academic excellence.
Together…Striving and Working For Excellence in Education