State College Area High School
State College Area High School, often referred to locally as "State High," is a public high school in State College, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the only public high school in the State College Area School District and is within walking distance of Penn State University.
State College Area High School | |
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Location | |
Westerly Parkway , , , 16801 United States | |
Information | |
School type | Public, Secondary |
Motto | We are the Future! |
Established | 1894 |
School district | State College Area School District |
Superintendent | Dr. Robert J. O'Donnell |
CEEB code | 394685 |
Principal | Curtis Johnson |
Teaching staff | 199.83 (FTE)[1] |
Grades | 9–12 |
Enrollment | 2,344 (2018-19)[1] |
Student to teacher ratio | 11.73[1] |
Houses | South Building North Building |
Color(s) | Maroon and gray |
Athletics conference | PIAA District 6 |
Mascot | Little Lion |
Communities served | Borough of State College and the Townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris, and Patton |
Graduates (2015) | 594 |
Website | www |
Campus
The high school, which includes north and south campus facilities totaling 680,000 square feet (63,000 m2), is on the fringe of downtown State College, and spans Westerly Parkway.
South
Main Campus
A state-of-the-art 520,000 square feet (48,000 m2) south campus facility was constructed in 2018 on the site of the original South Building. This building serves as State High’s main campus.
Original South Building
The original South Building was built in 1962 and had undergone numerous renovations. This original part of the building was single story and included classrooms along with the auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria and main office area. In 1965, a single story addition was built, but due to grade changes on the site it operates as a second level. This addition included classrooms, the Library and the fitness center. Another classroom wing was built in 1999. Some aspects of the Career and Technical Center program were also included in the South High School. The building, which had also been a junior high school and then an intermediate high school, was demolished to make room for the new state-of-the-art 520,000 square feet (48,000 m2) main campus facility.
North
Building
A 160,000 square feet (15,000 m2) north campus facility was constructed in 2019 on the site of the original Senior High School North Building. The buildout renovated the school building and added additional turf athletic fields where the North Building once stood.
Original North Building
The original North Building was built in 1955 and had undergone numerous renovations. The building's original portion, centered around the Logan Avenue entrance, was two-story and included classrooms along with the auditorium, two gymnasia, one cafeteria, library and main office area. In 1965, a two-story classroom addition was built parallel to Westerly Parkway. In 1989, the natatorium and a new gymnasium were added to the building. An additional classroom wing was constructed in 1999. Some aspects of the Career and Technology Center program were also included in the North High School. The building was demolished in 2018-19 to make room for a new 160,000 square feet (15,000 m2) facility.
Delta Program
The Delta Program is an alternative secondary school associated with State High. Students are encouraged to use community resources and can take classes from the high school, Delta, and Penn State. Delta Students enjoy small class sizes, mixed grade levels, and a set of freedoms which are typically restricted to college-age learning. To encourage a unity between teachers and students, teachers are referred to on a first name basis. The program also opened a middle level program, which proved to be quite popular.
- Community service is an important aspect of the Delta experience. Each year a student has to maintain 30 hours annually to stay within the Delta Community.
- Students, parents, and advisors meet regularly to discuss academic progress and set new goals. These meetings allow the teachers and parents one-on-one time with the student to discuss achievements as well as any problems the student may be having.
- Students are allowed open campus and are free to leave the Delta building during their lunch and free periods. Many students walk downtown, which is only a few minutes away from the school.
Driver's education
In 1932, Amos Neyhart, assistant professor at Penn State University, began the country's first driver's education in-car course at State College Area High School.[2] The program was altered after the 2010–2011 school year due to budget cuts from the new school board, which removed the course's behind-the-wheel component.[3]
Notable alumni
Academia
- Francis Fukuyama – political scientist, author of The End of History and the Last Man
Athletics
- Stan Belinda – former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Larry Johnson – former Penn State Football running back, played most recently for the Miami Dolphins[4]
- Tony Johnson – former Penn State Football player, brother of Larry Johnson, son of Larry Johnson
- Butch Leitzinger – professional race car driver in the American Le Mans Series
- Gabe Norwood – former NCAA basketball player, currently playing in the professional PBA league
- Jordan Norwood – former NFL wide receiver, former Penn State Football wide receiver
- Bruce Parkhill – former head college men's basketball coach
- Jay Paterno – author, former football coach
- Matt Rhule – head football coach of the Carolina Panthers, former head coach at Baylor University
- Matt Suhey – former fullback for the Chicago Bears, former Penn State Football running back
Business & Politics
- Kerry Benninghoff – member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 171st Legislative District
- Galen Dreibelbis – real estate developer, former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Herman Fisher – co-founder of Fisher-Price
- Bill Welch – former mayor of State College
- Chloe Alpert – co-founder of Medinas[5] [6]and Forbes [7] 30 Under 30 honoree
Creative Arts
- Ian Hendrickson-Smith – jazz saxophonist with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and The Roots
- Doug Sweetland – Annie-award-winning Pixar animator[8]
- John Taylor – lead guitarist and musical director for the Jonas Brothers
References
- "State College Area HS". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- "Drivers Education — Putting It In Gear". Penn State University. Spring 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
It was not until ten years later, in 1932, that the most obvious approach was undertaken to reduce traffic accidents – the development of a driver education course. Amos Neyhart, assistant professor at Penn State University initiated the first organized high school driver education course [in the country] at State College High School, State College, Pennsylvania.
- "Driver's education turns 80, or thereabouts", Hemmings Motor News (Hemmings Daily), February 17, 2014. Accessed July 8, 2016. "The program remains today, but not in the form Neyhart envisioned. Budget cuts eliminated the behind-the-wheel component of the course in 2010, and Fisher said he's the only in-class instructor left. Taking driver's ed, though, is still a requirement for graduation at the high school."
- ""NFL.com - Prospect Profiles". NFL. 21 January 2007". NFL.com. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- "WeWork Creator Global Finals with Chloe Alpert". KTLA. January 21, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Staff, Clara Rodas | Senior (September 6, 2019). "3 Berkeley entrepreneurs announced as Berkeley Visionary Award winners". The Daily Californian. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Chloe Alpert". Forbes. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "31st Annie Award Nominees and Winners List". Archived from the original on July 7, 2012.