Mineola High leaders highlight 'You Belong' initiative, improving Regents and pathway metrics

Mineola High School leaders presented a detailed update Dec. 18 on student outcomes and program expansion, framing the school year around a ‘You Belong’ initiative that prioritizes connection alongside measurable academic gains.

Principal Rory Parnell opened the presentation, emphasizing that connection and relationships drive achievement. He said the school is shifting from a ‘‘power of one’ to a ‘power of connection’ model and asked trustees to consider data alongside the student stories that give it meaning. "When students feel known, valued, and supported, their engagement deepens," Parnell said.

Administrators walked trustees through cohort-by-cohort Regents results and pathway participation. Highlights the board heard included: a rise in advanced Regents diploma attainment (board presentation cited 70% earning advanced Regents this year in a cohort comparison), strong subject pass rates in many areas (the presentation described Algebra I pass rates as exceptionally high for certain cohorts), and growth in AP participation (enrollment rose from 468 to 504 students) with AP Scholars increasing from 57 to 79. The presentation also described growth in the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness recipients (81→119→137 across recent years) and gains in the Seal of Biliteracy (30→44 recipients year over year).

Administrators described supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities (targeted MTSS interventions, lunch labs, Project Success mentorship, after-school and Saturday Regents prep) and noted that some subgroups still require additional work. Dan Artis and Jessica Janley presented cohort-specific results for grades 9–11 and highlighted targeted strategies (peer tutoring, regents prep, PLCs) intended to sustain progress and close gaps.

The presentation also described college- and career-pathway expansion — manufacturing, health care, education, cybersecurity, business and dual-enrollment partnerships with Adelphi University, Farmingdale State, and NASA Community College — and reported that more than 80% of 10th–12th graders are enrolled in pathway programs. Staff noted pathways produce industry-recognized credentials and dual-credit opportunities.

Trustees asked detailed follow-up questions: how supports are being targeted to eighth graders entering high school, how many students use after-school and weekend supports, differences in outcomes for students who persist in Mineola vs. late admits, and how the district tracks postsecondary persistence. Administrators said they can produce more longitudinal data and will continue to report cohort outcomes.

The presentation concluded with a call to continue balancing high standards with human-centered practices; Principal Parnell urged trustees to support healing and unity across the district.