A more detailed set of Decatur historical links The DAR's historical profile on Decatur The U.S. Navy's newest warship   Commodore Stephen Decatur The legacy of Stephen Decatur is one of service and duty to country. Born in nearby Berlin, MD as the son of a sefaring privateer, Decatur took naturally to the sea and distinguished himself in the war of 1812 and especially in the war with the Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. His most famous words were: "To our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right, but our country, right or wrong!" Decatur was tragcally killed in a duel over a minor insult and the entire nation grieved his demise at a formal state funeral in Washington D.C. Go to the Decatur House in Washington D.C.

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• Stephen Decatur High School lies nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay in the quiet historic town of Berlin, Maryland. The school mirrors the diversity of the five communities that we serve, from small farm towns to Maryland's only summer ocean resort, Ocean City, Maryland. The largest industry in the area is tourism, closely followed by the poultry industry, and farming. Decatur's ethnic population reflects that of our communities:
• Caucasian, 77%, African American, 21%, and Hispanic, 2%. In the past five years the number of students who qualify for the free/reduced price lunch program has increased by 4.5%; currently over 22% of the student body qualifies. In the past three years the number of students receiving special education services has increased from 65 to 90.

• Stephen Decatur's ongoing vision for students is best stated in the school philosophy which highlights a belief in preparing students for a lifetime of learning as responsible and productive participants in a democratic society. We challenge students to commit themselves to high goals and to meet rigorous standards. Our vision leads us to respect tradition, to appreciate diversity, and to embrace change as we work with students to equip them to become effective, efficient members of society.

• The northern end of Worcester County is experiencing significant growth. Presently there are 55 proposed development projects in Decatur's feeder areas with Ocean Pines leading the way in expansion with 6000 existing homes and 491 under construction. The student body has grown from 968 students in 1995-1996 to 1200 for the current school year 1998-1999. The projected enrollment is for 1380 students by 2001 and 1425 students by 2002. To put this in historic perspective, the first graduating class of Decatur numbered 70; in 1998, 229; and the class of 1999 numbers 261.

The total staff has grown from 80 in 1996 to 108 current members. The additions include teachers in alternative education, art, English, foreign language, mathematics, music, science, social studies, and special education. Administrative staff and support staff positions complete the additions.

We have outgrown our facility for the third time in Decatur's history. The renovation design document calls for the addition of 51,000 square feet, providing 15 new classrooms, new and expanded media center, cafeteria, and restrooms. The current renovation will improve the heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation system through the installation of an efficient HVAC system, provide more storage, and take us from the present technology into the future. We will move from the old-fashioned computer lab set-up to the creation of instructional spaces. Classroom technical systems will be configured to operate from 5 (at outset) to 25 stations. Building-wide voice, video, and data transmission between instructional spaces will be possible. Plans also include distance learning labs from which students will be able to access information, including media and multi-video, from inside or outside the building. Teleconferencing throughout the technical net will be utilized for instruction as well as communication. Ground breaking was held in March 1999, and construction of the 30-month project began March 15, 1999.

We have recently added new programs, sports, and activities in response to student needs. A mentoring program has grown from a pilot experiment of 12 adult mentors serving 12 students at risk in 1997 to 60 mentors working with 60 students today and there is a waiting list. To recognize that middle segment of our student body which is often neglected and forgotten, ~e now have a Seahawks on the \4ove program, complete with an awards breakfast for students and parents. The Seahawks project is a cooperative effort between the school and the local Optimist Club. Through the state's Spotlight on Students (with the Department of Juvenile Justice), the School Improvement Team applied for and received a full time professional to work with students on probation and those with legal problems. A women's soccer team and both a women's and men's lacrosse team have been added to our roster of interscholastic sports.

Stephen Decatur High School and it's staff have earned several honors in the past few years. In 1997 1998 SDHS was recognized as a Maryland Blue Ribbon School, Drama psychology instructor Gwendolyn Lehman was given a $25,000 Milken Educator Award, and in 1997 Principal Louis H. Taylor was named Maryland Principal of the Year for 1998-1999.

We are proud of all the achievements of the entire Stephen Decatur family. Our mission is best summed up by a Decatur family who wrote, "Shou1d you (the entire staff) ever wonder. . . what you are doing here, whether or not your presence matters, or if any child is listening to your words; know this... that for one you made a difference in his all too short life and his parents owe you a debt we can never repay."

Stephen Decatur is the largest high school in Worcester County.

Stephen Decatur- is one of the fastest growing high schools on the Eastern Shore.

Stephen Decatur High School opened in the fall of 1954 consolidating Buckingham High School (Berlin) and Ocean City High School.