Elderton High School

Elderton Junior Senior High School was a tiny, rural, public junior senior high school in Elderton in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.[2] It was part of the Armstrong School District. Elderton Junior Senior High School providing grades 7th through 12th. The school officially closed after the 2008–09 school year.[3][4] It was reopened for 2010–11. Then closed permanently in 2012.[5] According to Sheldon Berk, Armstrong School District's interim director of finance, the District saved $1.7 million by closing Elderton Junior Senior High School.[6] It was one of then four high schools operated by the District in the spring of 2012.

Elderton Junior Senior High School
Location
Lytle Street

Elderton
,
Armstrong County
,
Pennsylvania
15736-0128

United States
Coordinates40.6928427°N 79.3394846°W / 40.6928427; -79.3394846
Information
TypePublic
ClosedSpring 2012
School districtArmstrong School District
PrincipalStephen Shutters
Faculty30 teachers[1]
Grades7–12
Number of students304 (2011)
 • Grade 767
 • Grade 853
 • Grade 943
 • Grade 1062
 • Grade 1128
 • Grade 1251
Color(s)Green & White         
MascotBobcat
School District region in Armstrong County

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, Elderton Junior Senior High School reported an enrollment of 304 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 91 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. The school employed 30 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 10:1.[7] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[8]

In 2013, a community group sought to lease the former Elderton Junior Senior High School building for a K-12 charter school - Everlasting Elderton Charter School. The Armstrong School Board rejected the application for the charter school and leasing the building to the group.[9] The group announced its intention to appeal the rejection to the state's Charter School Appeal Board.[10]

In 2009, Elderton sought to leave the Armstrong School District and join Apollo-Ridge School District. That effort failed when the Apollo-Ridge School District decided to oppose the effort.[11]

Graduation Rate

Academic achievement
Western Pennsylvania ranking

In 2009, Elderton Junior - Senior High School is ranked 71st out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools, by the Pittsburgh Business Times, for student academic achievement as demonstrated on three years of PSSAs on: reading, writing, math and one year of science.[17]

AYP status

In 2012, Elderton Junior Senior High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to low graduation rate and lagging academic achievement.[18] In 2011, Elderton Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status.[19]

  • 2010 - none closed
  • 2009 - declined to Warning AYP status[20]
  • 2008 - achieved AYP status
  • 2007 - achieved AYP status
  • 2006 - achieved AYP status
  • 2005 - achieved AYP status
  • 2004 - achieved AYP status
  • 2003 - achieved AYP status

PSSA Results

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA)s are NCLB related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012. In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year. The PSSAs are also given to 8th grade students: math, reading, writing and science. Seventh graders are tested each spring in both: reading and mathematics.

11th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 70% on grade level, (11% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[21]
  • 2011 - 81% (6% below basic). State - 69.1%[22]
  • 2009 - 75%. State - 65% [23]
  • 2008 - 60%, State - 65% [24]
11th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 70% on grade level, 22% advanced (26% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[25]
  • 2011 - 60%, 16% advanced (18% below basic). State - 60.3%
  • 2009 - 37%, State - 56% [26]
  • 2008 - 60%, State - 56%
  • 2007 – 62%, State – 53% [27]
11th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 60% on grade level (16% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[28]
  • 2011 - 43% (7% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
  • 2009 - 28%. State - 40%
  • 2008 - 35%

8th grade

In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 104th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.[29] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County).

8th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 78% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[25]
  • 2011 - 85% (8% below basic) State - 81.8%

8th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 83% on grade level, 52% advanced (6% below basic). State - 76%
  • 2011 - 66%, 42% advanced (16% below basic). State - 76.9%

8th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 50% on grade level (27 below basic). State - 59%
  • 2011 - 59% (21% below basic). State – 58.3%

Seventh grade

7th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 84% (8% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2011 - 66% (9% below basic). State – 76%

7th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 90%, 65% advanced (3% below basic). State - 80%
  • 2011 - 64%, 24% advanced (17% below basic). State - 78.6%

Graduation requirements

The Armstrong School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25 credits to graduate, including: a required class every year in math 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education, Computer Science 0.5 credit, Community Service Learning .25 credit, Public speaking 0.5 credit, Living on Your Own 0.5 credit, Driver Education Theory 0.3 credit and other electives.[30] Beginning in grade 7, students have the opportunity to make up a maximum of two courses failed during the school year in summer school.

Driver Education Theory is scheduled in grade ten as a required course. Behind-the- wheel driving lessons (six total hours) may be scheduled during after-school hours and after the Driver Education Theory course is completed. A $50 fee is charged for behind- the-wheel lessons.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.[31] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[32]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[33] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[34]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.[35][36] For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements.[37] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.[38] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

SAT scores

In 2012, 35 Elderton Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The School's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 458. The Writing average score was 446. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In 2011, just 7 Elderton Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. Due to the low participation rate, the School's scores were not publicly reported to protect the privacy of the participating students.[39] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[40] In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[41]

Extracurriculars

The district 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, 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.[42]

Sports

Elderton High School had a strong sports tradition in wrestling and boys and girls volleyball. The girls teams won Pennsylvania State Class AA Championships in 1988, 1990 and 1991 and Western Pennsylvania High School Championships (WPIAL) in 1988 and 1991. The boys team won the WPIAL championship in 1964 and 1966 and is a regular playoff participant. Several school wrestlers have won WPIAL championships and placed at the PIAA tournament.

The school offered: Soccer, basketball, wrestling, volleyball, cheerleading, tennis, baseball, softball, cross country, golf

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See also

Notes and references
  1. National Center of Education Statistics (2012). "Common Core of Data Elderton Junior Senior High School". Archived from the original on 2014-03-23.
  2. "Elderton High School". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  3. Patrick Shuster (Dec 15, 2009). "Elderton High School to reopen in 2010". Archived from the original on December 19, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-07-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Jonathan Weaver (June 20, 2012). "Elderton High School Will Close Permanently". The Kittanning Paper.
  6. Tim Karan, Elderton High to close, Pittsburgh Tribune Live, June 28, 2012
  7. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core Data - Elderton Junior Senior High School, 2010
  8. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Elderton Junior Senior High School 2012, September 21, 2012
  9. Tim Karan (March 12, 2013). "Armstrong School District board rejects charter school plan".
  10. Jonathan Weaver (2013). "ASD Denies Elderton Charter School' Application". The Kittanning Paper.
  11. HEATHER ROTH (March 9, 2012). "ARMSTRONG: Elderton closing weighed again". Indiana gazette.
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Elderton Junior Senior High School AYP Data Table 2012". Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  13. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Elderton Junior Senior High School AYP Data Table 2011, September 29, 2011
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Elderton Junior Senior High School AYP Data Table 2009, September 14, 2009
  15. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Elderton Junior Senior High School AYP Data Table 2008, August 2008
  16. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children - Graduation rate at Pennsylvania High Schools 2007
  17. The Rankings: 11th Grade, Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools, Pittsburgh Business Times. May 15, 2009.
  18. Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Elderton Junior Senior High School AYP Overview 2012, September 21, 2012". Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  19. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Elderton Junior Senior High School AYP Overview 2011, September 29, 2011
  20. Pennsylvania Department of Education,, AYP Status 2003-2012 by LEA, 2013
  21. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  22. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  23. The Times-Tribune (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results".
  24. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  25. Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  26. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  27. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Report on PSSA Math and Reading results 2007 by School and Grade, August 20, 2007
  28. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Elderton Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  29. The Rankings: Eighth grade, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
  30. Armstrong School Board, Program of Studies 2013-14, 1023
  31. Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  32. Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  33. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  34. Megan Harris (September 12, 2013). "Pennsylvania changing high school graduation requirements". Tribune Live.
  35. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview". Archived from the original on 2012-03-17.
  36. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  37. Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Finalizes Adoption of Pennsylvania Common Core State Academic Standards and High School Graduation Requirements, March 14, 2013
  38. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  39. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011". Archived from the original on 2011-10-15.
  40. College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on 2011-10-08.
  41. "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
  42. Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
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