The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is proud to announce that 641 students have been recognized by the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars Program for demonstrating exceptional college-level achievement through their performance on AP exams.

The AP Scholars program recognizes three levels of achievement:

• AP Scholar awards are presented to students who achieve scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.
• AP Scholar with Honor awards are granted to students who earn an average score at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of those exams.
• AP Scholar with Distinction awards are the highest honor AP students can earn and require students to average 3.5 or higher on all AP exams taken and score 3 or higher on at least five exams.

AP exams are scored on a 1-5 scale.

Of the 641 Bellmore-Merrick students recognized, 303 were AP Scholars, 127 were AP Scholars with Honor, and 208 were AP Scholars with Distinction.

Further, the 641 students honored this year is the most in recent history, marking a 10% increase from the 2022-2023 academic year and a 15% increase from the 2021-2022 academic year. All three high schools – John F. Kennedy, Sanford H. Calhoun and Wellington C. Mepham High – had over 200 students recognized.

Finally, 45 Bellmore-Merrick students also earned prestigious AP Capstone Diplomas and 26 students earned AP Capstone Seminar and Research Certificates. These students were recognized for their outstanding presentation, research, collaboration, and writing skills.

The BMCHSD is extremely proud of our students’ academic achievement and would like to congratulate them, their families and all faculty involved.

Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is offering students a variety of classes designed to entertain, educate and introduce them to new experiences this summer. These programs are currently underway, and students are thoroughly enjoying their time. The Creative Arts Camp and the Summer STEAM Program are two standout offerings, each providing unique and engaging learning opportunities.

The Creative Arts Camp, running from July 8 to August 16, caters to students in grades 4-12. This six-week program offers a diverse curriculum that changes weekly, allowing students to explore various artistic mediums. Classes include fashion design, darkroom photography, international foods, songwriting, stage design, cartooning, and orchestra, among others.

Students in the fashion design class tackle daily challenges reminiscent of "Project Runway," having already created dresses from garbage bags and designed costumes for a costume ball. Meanwhile, the international foods class takes students on a culinary journey around the world, with participants preparing dishes from a different country each day. In darkroom photography, students are delving into the traditional art of film development, learning to process and develop their own photographs.

The STEAM Camp, designed for students in grades 7-9, offers a hands-on approach to learning. Participants engage in lessons on coding, robotics, 3D printing and more. This camp not only includes instruction with drones and Sphero robots but also provides opportunities for students to participate in a mini-hackathon and a robotics competition, fostering a sense of friendly competition and collaborative problem-solving.

The summer programs at Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District are more than just a way to pass the time; they are enriching experiences that foster creativity, innovation, and a love for learning. By offering a diverse range of activities and subjects, these camps help students discover new passions, develop valuable skills and build lasting memories.

Date Added: 7/19/2024

A sea of green and gold filled the turf field as Grand Avenue Middle School’s Class of 2024 celebrated their moving up on June 14 with three ceremonies.

Amanda Cantwell led the vocal group Grand Voices in a rendition of “Dream On.”
While addressing the crowd, Principal Carlo Conte spoke about the power of a drop of water and can relate to students’ determination and perseverance.

“Alone it may not appear to have much power, but if that single drop of water falls continuously over time, it can cut through rock,” he explained. “Each one of you have faced challenges and yet you kept going; drop by drop … until you achieved your goals. When many drops come together, they form a stream. That stream, though still made up of tiny droplets, can produce great power. And this is a powerful reminder of what you can achieve when you come together as a community.”

Sophia Green, a recent graduate of Wellington C. Mepham High School and former Grand Avenue student, inspired graduates as well.

“High school has taught me about the significant impact I can make in both my school and community,” she said.

She also spoke about her involvement in the Build On Club at Mepham and the value in participating in such activities. She also recanted about her time on the volleyball and badminton teams.

“We got to experience the highs and lows of competition together,” she recalled. “I formed some of my closest friendships on the court.”

Eddie Krause, a student speaker during the session II moving up ceremony, spoke about the teachers who “encouraged me to use my voice in the best way possible” during his time at the school.

“That’s what our teachers do,” he began. “They take our strengths and push us to take them even further.”

Click here to view the Grand Avenue Commemorates 66th Moving Up 2024 slideshow.

Date Added: 6/17/2024