Interview
Principal Snee Reveals Goals for the
Year and Reflects on Mason’s Past

By Margaret Lipman (September 5, 2006)

Compared to last year, when George Mason became an 8-12 high school and a brand-new middle school sprung up where the tennis courts once stood, this fall seems relatively calm.  But according to Principal Snee, there is still a lot in store for Masonites this year.  One of Snee’s major goals from last year was to encourage both risk-taking and collaboration among teachers and departments, themes he would like to continue working on and “encouraging students to do the same.  We want our students to be healthy risk-takers,” he said in a Lasso Online interview last week.  He was particularly interested in collaboration between teachers of International Baccalaureate courses, including Theory of Knowledge.  “It should be more apparent that there is a lot of substantive communication between IB classes so that the learning experience is more holistic,” Mr. Snee said. 

Of course, there will also be some more tangible changes this year.  Principal Snee was particularly proud of the artificial turf currently being installed on the football field, which will expand the use of GM as a sports facility for both school and citywide athletics.  The sports department will also get a boost from the ATHENA/ATLAS programs, as George Mason was selected as one of 16 high schools around the country to receive a major grant of athletic training and materials from Oregon Health & Science University.

The 2006-2007 schedules will also have a new look, as Block 1 will replace the short-lived Block 0 as the daily class.  Now, A Days will include Blocks 1, 3,5 and 7, while B Days will feature Blocks 1, 2, 4, and 6. In fact, A Days will now be referred to as “odd days” and B Days as “even days.”

Also in the works are two academic student councils, one for juniors and one for seniors, which will hopefully provide students of all academic tracks with a means to voice their opinions on GM’s academics with teachers and administrators.

Mr. Snee also hopes to increase the use of the “Mustang Meeting Room” (located off of the cafeteria) as a location for discussion groups and guest speakers to convene.  Any student who is interested in organizing any type of forum about a particular issue is welcome to reserve the room. 

Mr. Snee has been on the GM faculty for 27 years now, beginning as a Spanish and ESOL teacher, and has certainly noticed some changes during that time.  One of the biggest changes is how diverse the student body has become.  “We are far more multicultural, which is fabulous.  Our students all have fascinating experiences,” he said.  Not surprising, the ESOL department has expanded from a time when Mr. Snee himself taught the only ESOL block.  Principal Snee also expressed pride at the growth of the athletic opportunities for students, which has made the school more “well-rounded.”  “We are known for our academics,” he said, “but we also have many clubs and sports, and we’re pretty good!”  Mr. Snee noted that GM has consistently placed in the top three for the Wachovia Cup, which awards points to high schools based on their participation in Virginia High School League-sponsored state and regional championships. 

Besides the ever-growing faculty (now including 80 teachers), the student body has expanded to 820 students.  The class of 2007, which currently boasts 170 students, is predicted to be the largest senior class in 30 years.  Surprisingly, there was a time in which the size of the Mason student body was actually decreasing, largely due to commercial development on residential property.  In 1980, the 9-12 GMHS had around 340 students, and would not reach 400 until 1995. 

The number of students enrolled in courses at the Arlington Career Center will be higher this year than ever before, a fact that Principal Snee is particularly proud of.  “The Arlington Career Center can accommodate students with specific interests,” he said.  “It’s why we can be a ‘comprehensive high school.’”  George Mason itself is also expanding its course selection and will offer three new courses this year – Real World Finance, International Relations, and Conversational Italian.  Mr. Snee considers it a real possibility that as early as next fall the foreign language department could be offering Chinese and Arabic, two of the world’s most “critical” languages. 

Looking ahead to the coming school year, Principal Snee had some brief words of advice for students and faculty alike.  “Do well,” he advised.  “And have fun, because learning should be a fun experience.”