West Branch Area Junior/Senior High School is a small, rural, public high school located near the village of Morrisdale, Pennsylvania. The high school serves students from most of north eastern Clearfield County, and West Keating Township in Clinton County. The school is part of the West Branch Area School District. The current school building was completed in 1964. An addition to the High School building was finished in 2005. The educational attainment levels for the West Branch Area School District population (25 years old and over) were 85% high school graduates and 9.3% college graduates.
In 2013, enrollment at West Branch Area Junior Senior High School was reported as 549 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 49% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 16% of pupils received special education services, while 2% of pupils were identified as gifted. The School employed 42 teachers. Per the PA Department of Education, 2% of the teachers were rated "Non-Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, there were 630 students grades 7th through 12th with: 103 in 12th grade, 92 in 11th, 119 in 10th grade and 101 in ninth grade. The school had 47 teachers. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 4 teachers were rated "Non-Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
West Branch Area High School students may choose to attend Clearfield County Career and Technology Center for training in the construction and mechanical trades; Architectural Drafting & Design Technology; Allied Health Services; Cosmetology; and Culinary Arts & Food Management. The Central Intermediate Unit IU10 provides the District with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.
Video West Branch Area Junior/Senior High School
Lowest achieving schools list
In April 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying one West Branch Area School District school as among the lowest achieving schools for reading and mathematics in the state. West Branch Area Junior Senior High Schools students were among the bottom 15% of achievement.
Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012. The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district. Fifty-three public schools in Allegheny County are among the lowest-achieving schools in 2011. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District. In 2014, Monessen City School District had all three of its schools added to the list. Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.
Maps West Branch Area Junior/Senior High School
Graduation rate
In 2013, West Branch Area School District graduation rate was 83%. In 2012, West Branch Area School District graduation rate was 80%. In 2011, West Branch Area School District graduation rate was 74%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. High School's rate was % for 2010.
- According to traditional graduation rate calculations
- 2010 - 88%
- 2009 - 88%
- 2008 - 81%
- 2007 - 81%
Academic achievement
- 2013 School Performance Profile
West Branch Area Junior Senior High School achieved 62.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - just 62% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 58% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, just 46% showed on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.
AYP history
In 2012, West Branch Area Junior Senior High School declined to Corrective Action II 1st Year AYP status due to missing 6 of 8 metrics in reading and mathematics. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the District.
- 2011 - Making Progress: in Corrective Action I status due to low student academic achievement.
- 2010 - declined to Corrective Action I due to chronic, low academic achievement of students. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the school administration to develop a School Improvement Plan focused on raising student academic achievement. They were required to submit the plan to the PDE for approval.
- 2009 - remained in School Improvement Level 2
- 2008 - declined to School Improvement Level 2
- 2007 - declined to School Improvement Level 1
- 2006 - declined to Warning AYP status
- 2005 - achieved AYP status
- 2004 - achieved AYP status
- 2003 - achieved Warning AYP status
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.
In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology 1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.
- 11th Grade Reading
- 2012 - 68% on grade level, (9% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2011 - 76% (9% below basic). State - 69.1%
- 2010 - 56% on grade level (20% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 54% (24% below basic). State - 65%
- 2008 - 67% (18% below basic). State - 65%
- 2007 - 67% (15% below basic). State - 65%
- 11th Grade Math
- 2012 - 54% on grade level (24% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2011 - 59% (15% below basic). State - 60.3%
- 2010 - 49%, (35% below basic). State - 59%
- 2009 - 39%, (35% below basic). State - 56%.
- 2008 - 38%, (36% below basic). State - 56%
- 2007 - 36%, (35% below basic). State - 53%
- 11th Grade Science
- 2012 - 47% on grade level (13% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2011 - 50% on grade level (13% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 37% (21% below basic). State - 39%
- 2009 - 37% (17% below basic). State - 40%
- 2008 - 46% (9% below basic)s. State - 39%
Science in Motion West Branch Junior Senior High School did not take 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. Clarion University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.
College remediation rate
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 11% of West Branch Area 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. 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. 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 2013, West Branch Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 455. The Math average score was 459. The Writing average score was 452. 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.
In 2012, 67 students at West Branch Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 451. The Math average score was 455. The Writing average score was 434. 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, 45 West Branch students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 463. The Math average score was 474. The Writing average score was 416. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. 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.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania's SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.
Dual enrollment
West Branch Area Junior Senior High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The School has an agreement with Penn Highlands Community College and Mount Aloysius College to provide the courses for $45 to $55 per credit. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. For the 2009-10 funding year, the West Branch Area School District received a state grant of $4,515 for the program. In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.
West Branch Area School District does not offer AP courses. Students still have the option of taking College Board approved courses online at their own expense and during their own time. They can then take the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. Students are not required to take a course in order to take an AP exam.
Graduation requirements
West Branch Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25 credits to graduate, including: Mathematics 4 credits, English 4 credits, Social Studies 3.5 credits, Science 4 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Humanities and Arts - 2 credits, Health 0.5 credits, Safety Ed 0.5 credits, Family and Consumer Science 0.5 credits, Computer Technology 0.5 credits and electives 4 credits.
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. Students must complete 21 hours of community service to be eligible for graduation.
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. The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.
Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate. 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. 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. 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.
Junior high school
Seventh grades 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. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.
PSSA Results:
8th Grade Science:
- 2012 - 43% on grade level (29% below basic). State - 59%
- 2011 - 51% (28% below basic). State - 58.3%
- 2010 - 57% (25% below basic). State - 57%
- 2009 - 55% (21% below basic). State - 55%
- 2008 - 55%, (20% below basic). State - 52%
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. West Branch Area School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07. In 2007-2008, the HIgh School received $144,596. The District received $45,413 in 2008-2009 for a total funding of $190,009.
Extracurriculars
West Branch Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. 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. In 2014-15, the District reported spending $450,666 for extracurriculars.
A new baseball field was built, but leased to a local little league team for 25 years which expires in 2036.
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.
Marching band
The West Branch band also has a shining history, as they've played in such cities as Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Harrisburg. Most recently, the band goes to Disney World bi-yearly to play in the Fourth of July parade. The band wins many awards and helps to uphold the proud traditions and history of West Branch High School. In 2008, the former band director and creator of many of the school's traditions, Mr. William Gabel, retired. He was replaced by former elementary music teacher and West Branch alumna, Mrs. Jennifer Ennis Sproull.
Athletics
West Branch's mascot is the Warrior. Their team motos are "Warrior Power" and "Warrior Pride". They participate in the PIAA District 6 with Single-A classification in all but wrestling and baseball, where they compete in Double-A. Noteworthy athletic achievements include four PIAA individual state champions in wrestling (Jerry White, Robert English, Justin Owens, & Jared Ricotta), winning a district championship in football in 1988, a district championship in baseball, a team district duals championship in wrestling, and other various conference championships. Former Warrior baseball players Ed Veres and John Prestash were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft straight out of high school. Larry Beightol, a former football player at West Branch, is an offensive line coach in the NFL, most recently working with the Detroit Lions. Wrestling State Champion Jared Ricotta, after starting four years for the Duquesne Dukes Division I Wrestling Team and capturing three Northeast Regional Titles was recruited by NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports as a professional tire changer.
Starting in Fall 2010, West Branch and local school Philipsburg-Osceola School District agreed to a co-op boys soccer program. Any 9-12th grade boy wishing to play soccer now plays with the Philipsburg Soccer team.
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.
Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.
Sports
The District funds:
- Varsity
- Junior High Middle School Sports
According to PIAA directory July 2014
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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