Amityville Students Can!

High School Students Strive for 85 and Master English Regents

Eighty-six Amityville Memorial High School juniors have achieved mastery-level scores on the New York State English Regents Exam by achieving an 85 or higher. The students celebrated this accomplishment by attending an invitation-only pizza party in the school cafeteria. This event was a culmination of activities that transpired during the school’s campaign called “Strive For 85, Yes You Can,” during which students worked towards earning a grade that would far exceed the state requirement for passing, which is 65 percent or better.
“For too long, the students have had the mindset that 65 percent is an appropriate passing grade,” English Director Judith Riordan stated. “We are trying to change that mindset and develop a spirit of excellence at Amityville Memorial High School,” she continued. “We are pushing the students not only to pass the Regents, but to reach their personal best.”
Prior to taking the Regents Exam, banners were displayed throughout the high school touting the “Strive for 85, Yes You Can” motto. Teachers delivered inspirational talks to the students and preparation courses were offered on Mondays and Wednesdays after school – and they were well attended! Ms. Riordan also explained that a film about global competitiveness was shown to the students to remind them that there are young people all over the world that will be in competition with Amityville graduates.
“Our goal was to build the students up to reach for the sky,” Ms. Riordan stated.