Butler Senior High School
Butler Area Senior High School is a coeducational public senior high school in Butler, Pennsylvania, United States, serving grades 10–12. It is the senior high school for the Butler Area School District. The school was founded in 1908, moved to a larger building on an adjacent site in 1917, and moved again to its current site in 1960.
Butler Area Senior High School | |
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Location | |
120 Campus Lane Butler, Pennsylvania United States | |
Coordinates | 40.8641°N 79.9171°W |
Information | |
School type | Public, Senior high school |
Opened | 1908 |
School district | Butler Area School District |
NCES District ID | 4204590[1] |
CEEB code | 390500 |
NCES School ID | 420459001147[2] |
Principal | Dr. John Wyllie |
Faculty | 90.09 (on a FTE basis)[2] |
Grades | 10th - 12th |
Enrollment | 1,464 (2018-19)[3] |
Student to teacher ratio | 16.25[2] |
Campus type | Open |
Color(s) | Metallic Gold and White with Navy Blue trims |
Athletics | Baseball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Hockey, Lacrosse, Rifle, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling and marching band |
Athletics conference | Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (W.P.I.A.L.) |
Mascot | Tuffy the Tornado |
Website | www |
History
Butler Senior High School was originally opened in a yellow-brick building on a site bounded by McKean, East North, Cliff, and New Castle Streets in central Butler. In 1917 it moved to a three-story red-brick building across Cliff Street, the original building becoming the junior high school. In 1937 it was named John A. Gibson High School, in honor of the district superintendent who retired that year. In 1960 it moved again, to a new building on Campus Lane. The 1917 building is now the junior high school, with an annex built in 1994–95 occupying the site of the 1908 building.[4]
Academics
In 2009, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked Butler High School 37th out of 123 Western Pennsylvania high schools for academic achievement in the subjects of math, reading, writing, and science.
PSSA results
11th Grade Reading
2009 - 70% on grade level. State - 65% of 11th graders on grade level. 2008 - 68%, State - 65% 2007 - 74%, State - 65%[7]
11th Grade Math
2009 - 70% on grade level. State - 56% of 11th graders on grade level.[8] 2008 - 70%, State - 56% 2007 - 72%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science
2009 - 46% on grade level. State - 40% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 40%[9]
College remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 27% of Butler Senior High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college-level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[10] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges take at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Extracurricular programs
The Senior High is home to the Butler Golden Tornado athletics teams and offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, or charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[11]
Marching band
The Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band marches 203 students, who audition for their places.
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps
Butler High School has an Army J.R.O.T.C. program battalion, the Tornado Battalion.
Notable alumni
Sports
- Matt Clement, former MLB pitcher, All-Star, member of 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox
- Milt Graff (1930-2005), former MLB second baseman for the Kansas City Athletics (1957-1958)
- Khalil Greene, former MLB player, San Diego Padres (2003-2008) and the St. Louis Cardinals (2009)
- Don Kelly, former MLB utility player for multiple teams, currently the bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Jerry Meals, current MLB umpire
- John Stuper, former MLB pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1985) and Cincinnati Reds (1985) and current coach of the Yale Bulldogs
- Ed Vargo (1928-2008), MLB umpire (1960s-1970s)
- Rich Bartlewski, former NFL tight end for the Los Angeles Raiders (1990) and Atlanta Falcons (1991)
- Tom Brown (1921-2013), former NFL tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1942)
- Terry Hanratty, All-American and Sammy Baugh Trophy winning quarterback (1967) for Notre Dame, who won the National Championship in 1966. Former NFL quarterback, for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1975) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976). Two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers (IX, X).
- Scott Milanovich, former NFL, NFL Europe, XFL, AFL, and CFL quarterback. Coached multiple CFL teams and is the head coach for the Edmonton Eskimos
- Paul Posluszny, two-time All-American linebacker for Penn State University. Former NFL linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (2007-2010) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2011-2017). Made the Pro Bowl in 2013.
- Bill Saul (1940-2006), former NFL linebacker for multiple teams (1962-1970). Older brother of Rich and Ron.
- Rich Saul (1948-2012), former NFL center lineman for the Los Angeles Rams (1970-1981). Six-time Pro Bowler. Younger brother of Bill, twin brother of Ron.
- Ron Saul, former NFL guard lineman for the Houston Oilers (1970-1975) and Washington Redskins (1976-1981). Younger brother of Bill, twin brother of Rich.
- Paul Uram (1927-2017), former NFL flexibility and kicking coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1973-1981). Four-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers (IX, X, XII, XIV). U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fall inductee (1974).[12] March 24, 2009 was designated as "Paul Uram Day" by the borough of Millvale, Pennsylvania.[13]
Sports, other
- Elizabeth Caitlyn Simms, Division 1 800 meter runner and first round eating house draft pick
- Jake Hildebrand, ECHL hockey player for the Kalamazoo Wings
- Harry Holiday, world record-setting swimmer and Armco CEO
- Brian Minto, former heavyweight boxer (2002-2016)
- John Minton (1948–1995), former professional wrestler known by the name Big John Studd. Winner of multiple championship titles. Inductee of the WCW and WWE Hall of fame.
- Eric Namesnik (1970–2006), two-time silver medalist Olympic swimmer for men's 400-meter individual relay (1992 & 1996)
- David Pichler, Olympic diver (1996 & 2000), dive team captain in 2000, did not place
- Meghan Schnur, is an NSCAA All-American for University of Connecticut (2007) and an American soccer midfielder currently playing for Sky Blue FC of Women's Professional Soccer and member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team.
Film, Stage & Television
- Chester Aaron (1932-2019), author with over two dozen publications
- Marc Blucas, actor, best known by his portrayal of Riley Finn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Joan Chandler (1923-1979), actress, best known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock's Rope (1948) with James Stewart and Humoresque (1946) with Joan Crawford.
- Josie Carey (1930-2004), the host of The Children's Corner on WQED in Pittsburgh. Fred Rogers was a puppeteer and musician on her show for seven years before creating Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
- Barbara Feldon, actress and model, best known by her portrayal of Agent 99 of the TV series Get Smart
- Grace Gealey, actress, portrayed 'Anika' on the Fox series Empire
- Fred McCarren (1951-2006), actor, best known for his roles in Amanda's (1983) and Hill Street Blues (1984).
- Michele Pawk, Tony Award-winning actress (2003, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play, Hollywood Arms)
Music
- Glenn Crytzer, band leader and composer
- Jim Pugh, jazz trombonist and composer. Distinguished Professor of Jazz Trombone at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Formerly played with Steely Dan's touring band.
- William Purvis, French horn player, conductor and Musical Instruments Director at Yale University
Public Office and Military
- Gibson E. Armstrong, former Republican PA State Representative for the 100th district (1977-1984) and PA State Senator for the 13th district (1984-2009)
- Judge William G. Bassler, former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (1991-2006)
- Brian Ellis, former Republican PA State Representative for the 11th House district (2005-2019)
- Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, former Chief of Naval Operations for the U.S. Navy (2011-2015). Highly decorated and awarded.
- Mike Kelly, local businessman and representative for Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district. The district was 3rd district from 2011 to 2019.
- Donald Oesterling (1927-2013), former Democratic PA State Senator for the 21st district from 1965 to 1972.
- William J. Perry, Secretary of Defense under Bill Clinton (1994–1997). Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1997), Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1998), and Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2002). Professor Emeritus at Stanford University.
- Rick Santorum, former Republican U.S. Senator from PA (1995-2007). Ran for the U.S. presidency in 2012 and 2016. Current Political commentator.
Technology
- John Giles, President and Co-Founder of Future POS, the Butler-based developer of payment-transaction software
- Jay Last, physicist, silicon pioneer, and member of the Traitorous Eight, founding father of Silicon Valley
- Carl Yankowski, businessman and former CEO of Palm, Inc. and Ambient Devices.
Pageants
- GiGi Gordon, Miss Pennsylvania 1996
- Michele McDonald, Miss USA 1971, semi-finalist of Miss Universe 1971
- Annie Rosellini, Miss Pennsylvania 2013
Other
- Daniel D'Aniello, billionaire businessman that co-founded and chaired The Carlyle Group
References
- "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Butler Area Sd". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Search for Public Schools - Butler Area Shs (420459001147)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Butler Area SHS". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- "150042 – Butler Junior High School" (PDF). School Preservation: Historic Educational Resources of Pennsylvania, 1682-1969. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. August 26, 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
- Butler Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
- Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children - Pennsylvania High School Graduation Rates 2007
- Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Math and Reading results 2007 by school and grade
- PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results
- Pennsylvania Department of Education Report on Science PSSA 2008 August 2008.
- Pennsylvania College Remediation Report
- Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
- USGHOF. "U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame – Inductees by Year". Retrieved 2020-01-25.
- "Millvale honors Slippery Rock alumnus/Hall of Famer Paul Uram". Slippery Rock University. March 30, 2009. Archived from the original on December 22, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2011.