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Overview of the Monticello School District

OUR COMMUNITY 
Monticello Central School District is centrally located between New York City, Albany and the Pocono Mountains. This provides a rare combination to live in a rural setting and still be close to major metropolitan regions for recreation and career. Nestled in the bucolic foothills of the Catskills, a myriad of outdoor activities are available including skiing, golf, swimming, camping, hunting, fishing, boating/canoeing, skating, horseback riding, hiking/mountain climbing. Housing is very affordable and available. A quality education is provided to the students of the district at an affordable cost to taxpayers.

DISTRICT FACTS

  • Largest of 8 districts in Sullivan County

  • Encompasses 191 square miles 

  • Serves the residents of the towns of Thompson, Forestburgh, Bethel, Fallsburg and Mamakating

  • The schools district's population for the 2004-045 school year is 3,557

  • District Budget of 56,302,190

DISTRICT MISSION
The mission of the Monticello School Community is to graduate competent individuals who can succeed at their next level of endeavor, who believe in the worth and dignity of themselves and others, and who pursue lifelong learning in an ever changing, richly diverse society. Keys to achieving this are:

  1. Providing an environment conducive to learning 

  2. Maintaining a balanced curriculum facilitated by a highly qualified staff 

  3. Seeking a partnership with family and community 

Monticello Central School District is proud that its graduates have gone on to successful and distinguished careers in business, education, government, and the arts. It is with a sense of pride that we count among our alumni a former and a present chief justice of the New York State Court of Appeals.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Pre-K

Project Excel for pre-kindergarten students age 4.

Elementary: Grades K-5

  • Developmental approach to early childhood education.

  • Integrated language arts curriculum. 

  • Early intervention programs such as Reading Recovery, Title I and ESL. 

  • Mathematics taught through a hands-on approach which integrates the other disciplines. 

  • Instruction in Art, Music, Physical Education and Media. 

  • Enrichment opportunities are available for students in grades 2-5.

  • Instrumental Music instruction is available in Grade 5 and Elementary Chorus in grades 4-5. 

  • Students in grade 5 participate in the DARE. program provided by community agencies. 

  • A Summer Reading Academy and After School Tutorial Programs to Provide Extra Support for Students.

Middle School: Grades 6-8

  • A well defined Middle Level Education is the hallmark of the Monticello Central School District. 

  • Grade level teams which provide support for students and make possible integration of instruction. 

  • Integrated language arts program stressing the development of reading and writing skills. 

  • Exploratory areas including technology, music, art, home/career, study skills. 

  • A foreign language program which offers students a choice of instruction in German, Spanish, French for two years.

  • A comprehensive music program including performing groups for band, orchestra, and chorus. 

  • A variety of programs which offer students positive reinforcement as well as help students solve problems including: Student of the Month, Monthly Honor Roll Bagel Breakfast, Academic Achievement Night, Peer Mediation Training, Accelerated Math and Science Program.

  • Comprehensive extracurricular activities are an integral part of the program.

High School: Grades 9-12

  • A comprehensive program of academic, sports, and co-curricular experiences. The program offers courses over a spectrum which provide college preparation, vocational and technical training (through BOCES), special education through an increasingly inclusive model. 

  • The ability of students to take college level courses through Syracuse University's Project Advance, Advanced Placement, and Sullivan County Community College. 

  • Comprehensive Foreign Language Program offering student advanced instruction in Spanish, German, French, Chinese. 

  • Comprehensive music program which includes band, orchestra, and choral performing groups. 

  • Innovative team teaching classes in Principles of Engineering and Occupational Education. 

  • A comprehensive Physical Education Program and Interscholastic Team Program. 

  • A student center which offers guidance and other pupil services to students as well as college and career planning. 

  • A Community as School Program which offers internship opportunities to students. 

  • An Alternative Educational Program which offers opportunities for success to at-risk students. 

  • Finance Academy is a national program with 238 High Schools participating nationwide. The focus of the program is to provide academic instruction, career exposure and internship experiences which prepares high school students for college and the world of work. The program includes course work in such areas as: Computer Applications, Accounting, Banking/Credit, Economics, and International Finance. 

ATHLETICS
A comprehensive program of Athletics for all students includes: soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, golf, gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball. We are very proud that 24 of our teams have been selected by the New York State Public School Athletic Association (NYSPSAA) as the Scholar Athlete State Champions; a state record. This distinction indicates the important tie between academics and interscholastic sports. 

Click here to view the Athletics page.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 
Monticello Central School offers a full array of programs to enrich and support student learning. These include at the Middle School level: Student Council, SADD Club, Environmental Club, Builders' Club, Student Newspaper, Student Literary Magazine, Jr. Honor Society, Talent Show, Literary Club, Quiz Bowl Team. These include at the High School Level: Student Council, Student Play Productions, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Internet Club, Quiz Bowl, Interact/Key Club (Service Organizations), Environmental Club, Yearbook, SADD, Physics Club, National Honor Society, Star Program (high school students work with elementary students). Active PTAs in all buildings provide a vehicle for parent involvement in all schools. 

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Monticello School District and Staff has always been committed to teaching excellence. Teachers are encouraged to learn about new methods and ideas through district in-service programs, Sullivan County Staff Development made possible by BOCES and the Sullivan County Teacher Center, and by participation in graduate programs offered at area colleges and universities.

Our staff have been recognized for their professional accomplishments; this year the following staff members have been recognized for excellence as teachers and administrators by the Mid-Hudson Study Council 2003: 
Barbara Semonite: Principal of Emma Chase School
2002 Kim Patterson, Principal of the KL Rutherford School
Susan Gottlieb, Staff Developer, Cooke School

*The study council represents 71 school districts in five counties.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Excellence in all Endeavors is our Goal for our Students and Staff. Some of our accomplishments include:

  • The High School Debate and Speech Team has participated in numerous events throughout the country. Members of the team have consistently earned recognition for excellence frequently first, second or third place in the competitions.

  • Our graduates go on to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities including Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, RPI, NYU and Boston College. 

  • Our Early Literacy Program has developed in partnership with Lesley College and has been recognized for its strong support for the development of student literacy.

FACILITIES EXPANSION
The Monticello Central School District Community approved a 34.1 million dollar project. This project was completed September 1, 2001. It included:

  • State of the Art Middle School which accommodates 900 students.

  • Renovations at all four elementary buildings which include expanded and renovated library media centers, additional classroom space, and improved support facilities.

  • Renovations at the High School which include expanded and renovated library space, an expanded and renovated guidance space, additional classroom space.

  • The infusion of computer technology in all district classrooms.

The voters approved April 9, 2003, a new $13.5 million capital project for renovation and expansion of facilities. We are currently implementing renovations across the district including new roofs, upgrade parking, upgrade telephone system and other improvement. 

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