About Maine South High School - Maine Township High School District 207 South

PSAT Results for the Class of 2010

In the 2010 National Merit Program, 7 students were named National Merit Scholar Finalists, 7 students were named Semifinalists, and 15 students were named Commended Students based upon superior achievement.

Pattern of School Year/Length of Day

The 185-day school year is divided into two semesters. Nine 45-minute periods make up the school day, allowing students to complete a wide variety of required and elective courses. Laboratory classes are 70 minutes in length.

Grading System

The weighted GPA calculation recognizes more difficult courses by assigning different grade point values as shown below. The non-weighted GPA is calculated on a 4-point scale.

	Accelerated & Advanced Placement	Regular & Transitional
A	5	4
B	4	3
C	3	2
D	1	1
F	0	0

Detailed Graduation Requirements

Beginning with the class of 2008, a minimum of 23.25 academic units of credit are required for graduation. Coursework must include the following: English, four units; mathematics, three units; social sciences, three units; science, three units; two units of credit from any of the following—fine arts, applied arts and technology, or foreign language; one-quarter credit each of oral communications and consumer education; one-half unit of health; elective credit, five units; physical education each semester except when enrolled in health; driver education; and examinations on the Declaration of Independence, the Flag of the United States, the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois

The Faculty

A talented and dedicated certified staff of about 200 provides the motivation for student achievement. Approximately 80 percent of South's teachers have an MA degree or beyond.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement courses are offered in American History and European History, American Government and Comparative Government, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Calculus, Spanish, Computer Science, Economics, Music Theory, Studio Art, and Statistics.

In the spring of 2010, 485 students took 1,083 exams: 314 exams received a 5, the highest ranking; 85 percent of South's examinations were graded 3 or higher.

Post-Secondary Education

In 2010, 95 percent of the graduates continued their education (77% to 4-year colleges, and 18% to 2-year colleges).

Ability Level Grouping

Maine South has four ability level programs which are organized in academic subjects by each year: the Advanced Placement Program, Accelerated Program, Regular Program, and Transitional Program. Students are selected for these programs based on previous academic achievement. Students may take courses at various levels in different subjects.

Grading System and Rank in Class

Grade point average (GPA) is reported in two different ways: weighted and non-weighted. The non-weighted GPA gives equal grade points to every course regardless of difficulty. A class rank based on the non-weighted GPA will be calculated; however, the weighted system will be used for designating official class rank, selection of Maine Scholars (students in the top one percent of their class), and Honor Roll designees. Driver Education does not count in the GPA and class ranking. Physical Education counts in the non-weighted GPA, but not in the weighted GPA. In a Pass/Fail course, a passing grade does not affect a student's GPA; however, a failing grade will be figured into the student's total GPA as a zero.

ACT Results for the Class of 2010

In the Class of 2010, 609 students took the ACT test earning a mean composite score of 24.6. The chart below shows South's sub-test scores and compares school scores with state and national scores

ACT Data - 609 Students

Score Comparisons
Maine South	24.6 (Composite)
Illinois	20.7 (Composite)
National	21.0 (Composite)

Maine South's Average Sub-Test Scores
English	24.3
Math	24.9
Reading	24.4
Science	24.1

The School and Community

Maine Township High School South serves most of Park Ridge and portions of Harwood Heights, Niles, Norridge, and Norwood Park Township. Primarily residential, the attendance area of the school also includes some light industry, office developments, and shopping areas. Comprised mostly of single family homes, neighborhoods range from modest to affluent and also include a mix of apartments, townhomes, and condominiums. Maine South High School lies thirty minutes northwest of downtown Chicago.

Primarily homogeneous, Maine South also includes a small language minority population. In 2009-2010, 10% of students spoke one of 33 languages other than English at home.

Student enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year was 2,629. The student-teacher ratio was 19 to 1. The average class size was 21.

The citizens of Maine South's communities demand a comprehensive, innovative, and rigorous educational program for their youth. Curriculum offerings at Maine South are extensive, with over 200 courses offered in 13 departments including the fine arts, and applied arts and technology. Educational horizons are broadened via South's distance learning and video conferencing capabilities, allowing student learning to expand into the larger community.

A rich curricula and outstanding programs provide students with multiple learning opportunities. Parental and community support further guarantee an outstanding secondary education, and the entire community benefits from South's outstanding cultural and athletic events and from students' active participation in community service.