Austin High School (Austin, Pennsylvania)

Austin Area Junior Senior High School is a diminutive, public high school in southern and rural Potter County, Pennsylvania. Austin Area Junior Senior High School serves grades 7–12 and is the smallest school in the state. Austin Area Junior Senior High School is located at 138 Costello Avenue, Austin. The School shares the kitchen and administrative offices with the adjoining Austin Area Elementary School, which makes up the entire Austin Area School District. In 2015, Austin Area High School enrollment declined to 84 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 42% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 34.5% of pupils received special education services, while none of the pupils were identified as gifted.[2] The school employed 9 teachers.[3] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 5% of the teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Austin Area Junior Senior High School is a federally designated Title I school.

Austin Area Junior Senior High School
Address
138 Costello Av.
(State Rte. 872)

Austin
,
Potter County
,
Pennsylvania
16720-9601

United States
Information
TypePublic
School board9 locally elected members
School districtAustin Area School District
SuperintendentJerome Sasala, Acting Superintendent since 2012
PrincipalMrs. Kimberly Rees
Faculty8.49 (FTE)[1]
Grades7-12
Age13 years old to 21 years old special education
Number of students79 (2017-18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio9.31[1]
Medium of languageEnglish
Color(s)Red and Black
MascotPanthers
NewspaperThe Paw Print
Communities servedAustin
Feeder schoolsAustin Area Elementary School
Websitehttp://www.austinsd.net/Home
Austin Area School District region in Potter County

In 2014, Austin Area Junior Senior High School enrollment was reported as 92 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 42% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 32.6% of pupils received special education services, while none of the pupils were identified as gifted. Austin Area Junior Senior High School employed 10 teachers.[4] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, only 84% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Austin Area Junior Senior High School reported an enrollment of 110 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 41 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 12 teachers yielding a student teacher ratio of 9:1.[5]

Graduation rate

In 2015, the Austin Area School District’s graduation rate was 95%.[6]

  • 2014 - 94%[7]
  • 2013 - 88.89%
  • 2012 - 94%.[8]
  • 2011 - 76%.[9]
  • 2010 - 80%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate.[10]
According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Academics

2015 School Performance Profile

Austin Area Junior Senior High School achieved 64.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The Pennsylvania Department of Education withheld the percentage of successful students for each exam due to less than 10 pupils taking each test: Reading Literature, Biology, Algebra I.[14] Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.[15][16]

2014 School Performance Profile

Austin Area Junior Senior High School achieved 77.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 77% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 97% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, only 56% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[17][18] Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.[19]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.[20] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[21][22]

2013 School Performance Profile

Austin Area Junior Senior High School achieved 70.9 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science student achievement. In reading, 76.92% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics, 79.49% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, 27.59% of the students demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 83% of the 8th grade students showed on grade level skills through a writing sample which was evaluated by the state.[23]

AYP History

In 2012, Austin Area Junior Senior High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[24] In 2011, Austin Area Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status.[25] Austin Area Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status each school year 2003 to 2010.[26]

PSSA Results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[27]

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.[28]

11th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 88% on grade level, (13% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[29]
  • 2011 - 73% (7% below basic). State - 69.1% [30]
  • 2010 – 62% (12% below basic). State - 67%
  • 2009 – 68% (40% below basic). State - 65% [31]
  • 2008 – 68% (14% below basic). State – 65%
  • 2007 – 61%, State – 65% [32]
11th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 93% on grade level (7% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[33]
  • 2011 - 67% (13% below basic). State - 60.3% [34]
  • 2010 – 50% (25% below basic). State - 59% [35]
  • 2009 – 53% (33% below basic). State – 55% [36]
  • 2008 – 40% (23% below basic). State – 56% [37]
  • 2007 – 38%, State – 53%
11th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 50% on grade level (50% basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[38]
  • 2011 - 53% (18% below basic). State - 40% [39]
  • 2010 – 37% (6% below basic). State – 39%
  • 2009 – 40% (6% be;ow basic). State – 40%
  • 2008 – 40% (9% below basic). State – 39%[40]

Science in Motion Austin High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.[41] The School worked with University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to provide the enrichment experiences.

Dual Enrollment The high school does not offer the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. The program is offered through over 400 Pennsylvania school districts with the assistance of a state grant.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Austin Area School Board has determined the type and number of credits a student must earn to graduate.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must 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.[42] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[43]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2018, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams.[44][45][46] 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.[47] 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.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 13% of the Austin Area Junior-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.[48] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.[49] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

SAT Scores

In 2014, 15 Austin Area Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 472. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 441.[50][51] Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.[52]

In 2013, 12 Austin Area School District students' average Verbal Average Score was 462.5. The Math average score was 489.17. The Writing average score was 440.83. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.[53]

In 2012, 12 Austin Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 473. The Math average score was 458. The Writing average score was 460. 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, 11 Austin Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 443. The Math average score was 460. The Writing average score was 419.[54] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[55] 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.[56]

Eighth grade

Seventh graders have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.[57] Testing in science began in 2007.

PSSA Results
8th Grade Science
  • 2012 - not reported due to less than 10 pupils. State - 59%
  • 2011 - 50% (19% below basic). State - 58.3%
  • 2010 - 68% (% below basic). State - 57%
  • 2009 - 71% (75% below basic). State - 55%[60]
  • 2008 - 40%, State - 52%

Seventh grade
Dropout Early Warning System

In 2013, Austin Area School District did not implement the state's no local cost dropout prevention Early Warning System and Interventions Catalog at the junior high school.[62] The process identifies students at risk for dropping out by examining the pupil’s: attendance, behavior and course grades. Interventions are implemented to assist at-risk pupils to remain in school. The program is funded by federal and private dollars.[63]

Grants
Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006–2009. Austin Area School District applied to participate in 2006–07, but was denied funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Austin Area High School received $58,944 in 2007–08 and $35,439 in 2008–09 for a total of $94,433 in state funding.[64] The funding was terminated by then Governor Edward Rendell in his 2009-2010 budget.

Austin Area Junior Senior High School did not participate in the state's: Project 720 three year grants nor the Hybrid Learning Grants.[65] Project 720 was a high school reform program implemented for three years under the Rendell administration. The intent was to increase academic rigor and improve the instruction of teachers in the Commonwealth’s high schools. Teachers were expected to use data driven instructional practices and to meet the needs of diverse learners.[66] The 720 in the name referred to the number of days a student was in high school in ninth through 12th grades.[67]

Alma Mater

The Alma Mater[68] to AHS: Oh! Happy Days at Austin High!
How swiftly you are passing by
You're gliding by like birds that fly
Across the sky at Austin High

But these fair days at Austin High
Will never from our lives pass by
They'll shine as bright as stars on high
That shed their light on Austin High

Then may God bless you, Austin High
Help you to give as days go by
A new desire to still aspire
To things yet higher, Oh Austin High

Extracurriculars

Austin Area School District offers a limited variety of clubs, activities and a publicly funded sports program.[69] Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The District is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the school district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, a Pennsylvania public cyber charter school, charter school and those who are homeschooled, are all 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.[70]

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.[71][72][73]

Athletics

Austin Area participates in District IX of the PIAA.[74][75] Cooperative sports for those who wish to participate in a sport not held at the school is offered by the Coudersport Area School District. Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.[76] According to Pennsylvania’s Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.[77][78]

Senior High Athletics
SportBoysGirls
BasketballClass AClass A
GolfClass AAAA
SoftballClass A
VolleyballClass A

Junior High Athletics

Boys

  • Basketball

Girls

  • Basketball
  • Volleyball

Organizations

There are a few organizations at the school.[79]

References
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  2. Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 4, 2015). "Austin Area Junior Senior High School Fast Facts 2015".
  3. US News and World Report, Best High Schools, 2015
  4. U.S. News & World Report, Best High Schools, 2014
  5. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data - Austin Area Junior Senior High School, 2010
  6. PDE, Graduation rate by LEA, 2015
  7. PDE, Graduation rate by LEA, 2014
  8. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Austin Area School District AYP Data Table 2012". Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  9. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Austin Area School District AYP Data Table 2011, September 29, 2011
  10. Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented". Archived from the original on September 14, 2010.
  11. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Austin High School Academic Achievement Report Card data table 2010, October 20, 2010
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Austin High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 15, 2009
  13. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-07. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
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  18. Evamarie Socha (November 6, 2014). "Half of Valley districts see state test scores decline". The Daily Item.
  19. Eleanor Chute (November 21, 2014). "Pennsylvania student scores declined with reduced funding, test results show". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  20. Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education Announces Results of 2013-14 School Performance Profile; Strong Performance in 72 Percent of Schools, November 6, 2014
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  74. PIAA Schools – Directory – Austin Area High School
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  77. PA General Assembly (July 1, 2012). "Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011 Safety in Youth Sports Act".
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  79. "AHS Organizations". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-01-21.

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