Lewisburg Area High School

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Lewisburg Area High School
Type of institution Public
Principal David Grimes
Enrollment Approx. 600[1]
Location Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Colors Green and White
Mascot Dragon
School district Lewisburg Area School District
Information 570-523-3220
Website http://www.lasd.us

Lewisburg Area High School is a public school located in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the Lewisburg Area School District. The school's enrollment is approximately 600 students in grades nine through twelve. The school is commonly considered to be the top performing high school in the region. This is demonstrated in student SAT scores that are higher than state or national averages. LAHS eleventh grades scored in the top 16% on the Math PSSA’s in 2006. Reading PSSA scores were in the top 9% in the state in 2006. The graduation rate in 2006 was 95%. The graduation rate increased to 96% in 2007.[2] In 2008 the graduation rate rose to an outstanding 98%. [3]

The school serves the Lewisburg Borough, Kelly, East Buffalo and Union townships that collectively have a population of approximately 15,000.

Contents

[edit] Curriculum

The academic program consists of an array of courses including eleven AP classes and several electives. The students have high expectations to excel and more than 80% have matriculated to higher education.

[edit] PSSA Scores

Reading (percent proficient or better)
2002: 81% - State Avg 59
2003: 88% - State Avg 59.2%
2004: 83% - State Avg 60.8%
2005: 87% - State Avg 65%
2005: 84.9% - State Avg 65.1%
2006: 82% - State Avg 65.1%
2007: 84.6% - State avg 65.4% [4]
2008: 88.9% - State Avg 64.7% [5]
2009: 84% - State Avg 65.6% [6]

Math (percent proficient or better)
2002: 58% - State Avg 50
2003: 64% - State Avg 49.1%
2004: 69% - State Avg 49.1%
2005: 68% - State Avg 51%
2006: 67% - State Avg 52%
2007: 69.8% - State Avg 53.7%[2]
2008: 76.2% - State Avg 56% [7]
2009: 74.1% - State Avg 56% [8]

In 2005, LAHS was ranked 30th out of 601 PA high schools for test scores on PSSAs. In 2006, LAHS was ranked 71st out of 609 high schools in Pennsylvania.[9]

[edit] Graduation Requirements

English 4.0 (1 credit in each Grade 9-12), Social Studies 4.0 (1 credit each year 9-12), Science 4.0 (1 credit each Grade 9-12), Math 4.0 (1 credit each Grade 9-12), Arts and/or Humanities 2.0, Health .5, Physical Education 2.0 (.5 credit in each Grade 9-12), Electives 6.5. Total Credits 27[10]

Students are also required to complete the Pennsylvania state-mandated "Graduation Project."[11]Seeing as how this "tradition" has become archaic and outdated, many of the students do not even complete such projects and are actually encouraged by the faculty to fake and cheat their ways through it.

[edit] Non-Traditional Education

In addition to the traditional bricks-and-mortar format, the school offers a cyber school called Blended Academy, alternative education and technology and job skills training at SUN Area Career and Technology Center.

[edit] Student Activities

Music programs include band, choir, and orchestra with several ensemble groups. A fall play and spring musical are staged each year.

The school offers 19 interscholastic sports and several clubs and organizations. LASD is a founding member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference [12] for all athletics and participates under the rules and guidelines of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

[edit] Faculty

The students are served by approximately 40 unionized faculty. All of the faculty are considered highly qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act. A variety of classified staff provide classroom support, clerical services, grounds and building services and food services.

[edit] Internet Access Policy

The school implemented a strict policy with regards to student internet access. The school administration took steps to block many popular websites—some worth blocking (such as social networking sites) and some with educational merit. The policies sparked controversy in the high school and in Lewisburg as a whole. The administration stated that the polices stem from stipulations attached to their Classrooms for the Future grant, which allowed it to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on MacBook laptop computers. Local taxpayer advocates criticized the grants, which Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell gave to school districts across the state. Opponents of the policy argue that this excuse only justifies the blocking of social networking sites and not sites with potential educational value such as YouTube and Google Docs. The administration dodged questions about the policy and tensions between the student-teacher community and administration are high.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.lasd.us
  2. ^ a b Academic Achievement Report 2006-2007, Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  3. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2007-2008, Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  4. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2006-2007, Pennsylvania Department of Education
  5. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2007-2008, Pennsylvania Department of Education
  6. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2008-2009, Pennsylvania Department of Education
  7. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2007-2008, Pennsylvania Department of Education
  8. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2008-2009, Pennsylvania Department of Education
  9. ^ High School Ranking in Pennsylvania 2006, Schooldigger.com
  10. ^ Curriculum Guide 2007-2008, Lewisburg Area High School Guidance Department
  11. ^ Class of 2009 Graduation Project, Lewisburg Area High School Guidance Department
  12. ^ Stanford, Todd, "New Athletic League becomes reality in 2008", The Daily Item, May 19, 2007.

Coordinates: 40°57′36″N 76°53′28″W / 40.9601°N 76.8911°W / 40.9601; -76.8911

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