Gwinn Area Community Schools

50 West Hwy. M-35

Gwinn, MI 49841

Gwinn High School Phone: (906) 346-0310

Kevin Luokkala Cora Curtice

Principal Guidance/Athletics

Rob Soyring Secretary

Athletic Director Polly Hammerschmidt

Nancy Machalk Counselor 11, 12

High School Secretary Theresa Viitala

Counselor 9, 10

PROFILE

COMMUNITY

Gwinn is a community of about 2,000 people, located in the heart of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Designed as a “Model Town”, it is surrounded by beautiful rivers, lakes, and forestlands. Six miles away stands the former KI Sawyer AFB, which closed in 1995. Although the Gwinn area experienced a drastic decline in population when the base closed, the area is now experiencing a rebirth in employment and population.

DISTRICT

The Gwinn Area Community Schools District covers 365 square miles and educates students from the townships of Forsyth, Sands, Wells, West Branch, Skandia, and the former KI Sawyer AFB. The district currently operates two elementary buildings, one middle school, and one high school.

SCHOOL

The current enrollment of Gwinn High School is 400 students in grades 9-12. The highly qualified teaching staff numbers over 25. For the past several years, Gwinn students taking core, academic classes have scored on par/higher on the ACT than both the state and national averages. Recent statistics indicate approximately 50% of our graduating classes enter a four-year college program; 45% enter two-year or vocational programs; with the remainder joining the military or the work force.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

21 TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED

Class of 2016 Class of 2015

English – 4 years English – 4 years

Math – 4 years * Math – 4 years*

Science – 3 years** Science – 3 years**

Social Studies – 3 years*** Social Studies – 3 years***

P.E. – 1 semester P.E. – 1 semester

Health – 1 semester Health – 1 semester

Computers – 1 year Computers – 1 year

Fine Arts – 1 year**** Fine Arts – 1 year****

Class of 2014 Class of 2013

English – 4 years English – 4 years

Math – 4 years * Math – 4 years *

Science – 3 years** Science – 3 years**

Social Studies – 3 years*** Social Studies – 3 years***

P.E. – 1 semester P.E. – 1 semester

Health – 1 semester Health – 1 semester

Computers – 1 year Computer – 1 year

Fine Arts – 1 year**** Fine Arts – 1 year****

*Math credits must include Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and one additional approved math credit which must be taken in the senior year.

**Science credits will include 1 credit of Biology, 1 credit of Chemistry and 1 credit of Physics.

***Social Studies credits will include 1 credit in World Cultures, 1 credit in American History and .5 credit each in Government and Economics.

****At least 1 credit in Fine Arts must be taken during a student’s 4 years.

CURRICULUM

Gwinn High School bases its curriculum on the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The courses that are currently taught on an advanced level include Honors English 12, College Biology, College Chemistry, College Physics and Calculus. Gwinn High School also offer dual enrollment opportunities and internships.

GRADING SYSTEM

Gwinn High School operates on a 4.0 grading system. Through the 1997-98 school year, the grading scale was unweighted. Commencing with the class of 1999, grades are weighted for the following courses: College Chemistry, Honors English 12, College Biology, College Physics, Calculus.

Cumulative grade point averages are computed on the basis of semester grades in all subjects taken. The system-wide grading scale is as follows:

94 - 100 A 72 - 76 C

90 - 93 A- 70 - 71 C-

87 - 89 B+ 67 - 69 D+

82 - 86 B 62 - 66 D

80 - 81 B- 60 - 61 D-

77 - 79 C+ 0 - 59 F

ATHLETICS, EXTRACURRICULARS, ACTIVITIES

Gwinn High School offers a variety of athletics, clubs, and activities for all students. In recent years, Gwinn has taken top honors in state-level competition in both Science Olympiad and High School Bowl.

(08/2012)