SCHOOL PROFILE
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CEEB Code: 343213
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Principal: Tara Drouhard
Assistant Principal for A-D: Kimberly Carter
Assistant Principal for E-K: Stephen Ausley
Assistant Principal for L-Ra: Trenton Brown
Assistant Principal for Rb-Z: Joey Risso
Assistant Principal for Instruction: Katherine Pendergraft
STUDENT SERVICES TEAM
Dean of Student Services: Durenda Johnson Ward
Counselor for A-D: Jessica Martz
Counselor for E-K: Summer Manns
Counselor for L-Ra: Haley Stallworth
Counselor for Re-Z: Dentra Keith
SAP Counselor: Rashunda Jennings
Career Development Coordinator: Kim Williams
FACULTY AND STAFF
Our professional team of 99 classroom teachers and 47 additional professional staff is committed to excellence as they work to prepare our students to achieve their future educational and career goals. 12% of our teachers are National Board Certified and 74% have 3+ years of experience.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
Jesse O. Sanderson High School, established in 1968, is one of 36 high schools in the Wake County Public School System. It is accredited by Cognia (Formerly AdvancEd) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The school is located in a predominantly middle income community in the north central part of the capital city; students have immediate access to a major land-grant university, five liberal arts colleges, and a community college and within a thirty-mile radius we have access to several major universities, and the Research Triangle Park.
ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Sanderson is a member of the Triangle Six 6A/7A. Students have the opportunity to participate in cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, football, baseball, cheerleading, softball, volleyball, and wrestling.
CLUBS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Sanderson offers an array of extracurricular activities in which students may become involved: AFJROTC, Marching Band, Vocal Music, Theater, Academy of Finance, Student Council, academic clubs and competitions, DECA, Equity Team, FCA, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Key Club, to name a few.
STUDENT BODY DATA
Our student body is a culturally diverse population of about 1600 that is approximately 47% White, 23% African-American, 21% Hispanic, 4% Multi-Racial, <1% Asian, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. The Class of 2025 graduated 386 students on cohort; 55.7% matriculated to a four year college or university, 29% to a community college or trade school, and 15.3% into the military, workforce, or other. 92% of the class participated in Advanced Placement (AP) &/or honors courses. The Senior Class of 2026 has approximately 370 students.
STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS
Class of 2025
SAT: the Mean score on the SAT was 1134; Evidence Based Reading & Writing Mean 574; Math Mean 560.
ACT: the ACT Mean Composite score was 19.9; English 17.7; ELA 19.8; Writing 6.7; Reading 20.8 Math 19.7 Science 20.2; and STEM 20.2.
CURRICULUM
The academic program is organized on a 4 X 4 block schedule with four credits per semester, with every student having the opportunity to earn 8 credits annually. AP courses offered 25-26: Biology, Computer Science Principles, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, Calculus AB and BC, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Human Geography, Psychology, United States Government & Politics, United States History, World History, Studio Art – 2D & 3D Design & Drawing. Over 80 Honors classes are offered in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, AFJROTC, Career and Technical education, and World Languages. Scholarship totals for the class of 2025 entailed over $1.1 million.
GRADING SYSTEM
Quality points for students entering 9th grade in 2015-16 and beyond are as follows:
Grading Scale
Standard
Honors
AP
A
90-100
4
4.5
5
B
80-89
3
3.5
4
C
70-79
2
2.5
3
D
60-69
1
1.5
2
F
<60
0
0
0
***Honors courses carry one-half (0.5 extra quality point) and Advanced Placement, Community College courses included on the most recent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement Transfer List, and courses taught at a four-year university and college carry one (1.0) extra quality point.
CLASS RANK AND HONORS
Transcripts include both weighted and unweighted cumulative grade-point averages. Rank is determined by cumulative weighted GPA and is calculated at the end of each semester. Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, WCPSS began designating the following senior honors in lieu of naming a Valedictorian or Salutatorian:
- Students with a 3.75 - 3.99 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of Cum Laude.
- Students with a 4.0 - 4.249 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of Magna Cum Laude.
- Students with a 4.25 or higher weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of Summa Cum Laude.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
English
ELA 1, 2, 3, & 4
Math
Math 1, 2, 3, and a 4th math aligned with post-secondary goals
Science
Earth/Environmental Science, Biology, and a Physical Science (physical science, chemistry, or physics)
Social Studies
World History, Civic Literacy, American History, Economics and Personal Finance
Health/PE
1 Healthful Living
Second Language
2 levels of the same foreign language (i.e. Spanish I and II) recommended for college/university bound students
Electives
6 required with at least 2 from Career and Technical, Arts Education, or or World Languages.
Mission
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Sanderson High School will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators, and critical thinkers.
Vision
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Sanderson High School students will be prepared to reach their full potential and lead productive lives in a complex and changing world.
Values
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Sanderson High School values our dedicated faculty and staff, and believes that every student is capable and deserves to learn, grow, and succeed regardless of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
