It is with warm and personal greetings that I welcome you to Haddam-Killingworth High School, home of the Cougars.

HK is a place where approximately 720 students take part in the rich academic, social, and athletic offerings of our fine school. Our mission is to provide them with a personalized and collective experience through which they are challenged to develop the knowledge, skills, and work ethic to contribute to a global society.

We pride ourselves on our rigorous academic standards and the accessibility our students have to a wide and diverse curriculum. From offering numerous advanced placement and Project Lead the Way courses that provide a unique opportunity for students to earn college credit, to on-line Virtual High School courses, internships, and interesting electives we are dedicated to providing the best education possible.

HKHS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and as such is committed to preparing each and every graduate to continue his or her education and succeed in the working world. Our goal for them is that they will meet both academic and civic expectations. As a school community we are dedicated to assisting them in developing the skills to access and analyze information, to problem solve, to communicate effectively, to apply information, to reflect and evaluate, to act responsibility and to pursue goals. In turn, we ask that all Haddam-Killingworth High School students work up to the best of their abilities, complete all assignments, cooperate with teachers, and meet both and academic and community service graduation requirements.

It is our belief, a belief supported by research, that students who are actively involved in school life are more successful as student learners. We therefore place a strong emphasis on student participation in clubs, teams, and activities. About 85% of our young men and women are actively involved in some sort of co-curricular and take pride in working and socializing together. Our hope is that each student will join an activity that interests them.

Finally, we want to encourage parents to remain active in the lives and education of your children. It is more important now than ever. I urge you to attend Open House (September 17th) and Parent Conferences (October 13th and 14th). Become a booster for one our athletic teams. Join our Project Graduation Committee. Serve as a mentor to one of our students who could benefit from the experience. Become one of our PODs (Parent of Drama Student). You will find at HK there are a number of ways you can lend school wide support in the months ahead. Working together, students, teachers, and parents, we have the potential to make this school year the most successful and enjoyable yet.

I thank you for your continued support of the education of all our students at HKHS.

Sincerely,
Charlie Macunas
Principal, Haddam-Killingworth High School