State College Area High School
| State College Area High School | |
|---|---|
 |
|
|
We are the Future!
|
|
| Location | |
| Westerly Parkway State College, Pennsylvania, Centre County, 16801, United States |
|
| Information | |
| School type | Public, Secondary |
| Established | 1894 |
| School district | State College Area School District |
| CEEB Code | 394685 |
| Principal | Craig Butler |
| Vice principal | Curtis Johnson |
| Vice principal | Sharon Perry |
| Vice principal | David Geanette |
| Asst. Principal | Marcia Kramer |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Houses | South Building North Building |
| Color(s) | Maroon and Gray |
| Athletics conference | PIAA District 6 |
| Mascot | Little Lion |
| Average SAT scores | 1653 (2007) |
| Communities served | Borough of State College and the Townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris, and Patton |
| Website | State College Area High School |
State College Area High School is the only public high school in the State College Area School District. Located within walking distance of Penn State University, the school offers a wide and diverse selection of electives, and is known for its academic, athletic, and musical prominence. State High is well known for their outstanding music program and the Knowledge Masters/Quiz Bowl team, which is consistently nationally ranked. The school created the world's first driver's education in car course in 1934, which was cut after the 2010-2011 school year due to budget cuts from the new school board.[2]
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,538 students and 203.25 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 12.49.[3] Many graduates from State High go on to study at the Pennsylvania State University. Additionally, a sizable number of students go on to study at top national institutions.
Contents |
[edit] Campus
The high school campus is located just on the fringe of downtown State College, and spans the road Westerly Parkway. The campus comprises two buildings: the North Building and the South Building.
[edit] North Building
The North Building was originally constructed in 1955, and since then has undergone numerous renovations. The original portion of the building is centered around the Logan Avenue entrance. This part of the building is two-story and includes classrooms along with the Auditorium, one gymnasium, cafeteria, library and main office area. In 1965 an addition was constructed for the building, which was a two-story classroom addition that runs 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 are also included in the North High School. The entire building is about 258,000 square feet and serves as half of the High School campus.
[edit] South Building
The South Building was originally constructed in 1962, and since then has undergone numerous renovations. The original portion of the building is the "front" of the building. This part of the building is single story and includes classrooms along with the Auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria and main office area. In 1965 an addition was constructed for the building, which is also single story, but due to grade changes on the site it operates as a second level. This addition includes classrooms, the Library and the fitness center. An additional classroom wing was constructed in 1999. Some aspects of the Career and Technical Center program are also included in the South High School. The entire building, which has in the past served as a Junior High School and an Intermediate High School, is about 191,000 square feet and serves as half of the High School campus.
[edit] Delta Program
The Delta Program is an alternative secondary school associated with State High. Students are encouraged to utilize community resources to the fullest, 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 Delta Program is also a firm believer in Democratic education, a system of learning and school governance in which students and staff participate in a free and equal school democracy.
- Community service is an important aspect of the Delta experience. As of the 2010-2011 school year, a student would have 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 to 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.
[edit] Knowledge Masters/Quiz Bowl
State College's Knowledge Masters/Quiz Bowl team has won numerous titles and awards, including national championships in both 2000 and 2011 at the NAQT High School National Championship Tournament. They also have second place finishes in 2006, 2007 and 2010 and a third place finish in 2010. They have national championships in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2010 and 2011 in the PACE National Scholastics Championship and were the runners-up in 2005 and 2009. They won ACF Nationals Division II which is a college championship for teams without graduate students in 2010 and 2011. State College also won first place in the spring 2011 Knowledge Masters Open and the freshmen team won first place in the fall 2010 Knowledge Masters Open.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Tristan N. Aitken - Captain, United States Army, killed in action in Iraq[4]
- Stan Belinda - former Major League Baseball pitcher
- William John Cahir (Bill Cahir) - Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, killed in action while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, 14 August 2009 [4]
- Ron Dickerson, Jr. - Head Football Coach at Gardner-Webb University, former NFL and Arkansas Razorbacks football player
- Spc. Craig Ivory - United States Army Died August 17, 2003 after being medivaced while serving in Kuwait
- Larry Johnson - former Pennsylvania State University running back, played most recently for the Miami Dolphins[5]
- Matt Kocher - former University of Pittsburgh NCAA Wrestling All-American, State College's most recent State Champion
- 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 Pennsylvania State University wide receiver, currently signed with the Cleveland Browns
- Leah Rozen - nationally recognized film critic[6]
- Doug Sweetland - Annie-award winning Pixar animator[7]
- Matt Suhey - former NFL and Pennsylvania State University running back
- Bill Welch - former mayor of State College
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "PIAA - Schools - Directory - State College Area High School". http://www.piaa.org/schools/directory/details.aspx?ID=11277. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
- ^ "PROGRAM FOR DRIVERS TAKES OFF", Centre Daily Times, April 29, 1996. Accessed November 3, 2007. "Sixty-two years after State College Area High School became the first school in the country to offer a driver education course, the school is quietly on the cutting edge again."
- ^ State College Area High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 27, 2009.
- ^ "Tristan N. Aitken, Captain, United States Army". Arlington National Cemetery. 21 January 2007 [1].
- ^ "NFL.com - Prospect Profiles". NFL. 21 January 2007 [2].
- ^ "New York Film Critics Circle: Leah Rozen". New York Film Critics Circle. 21 January 2007 [3].
- ^ 31st Annie Award Nominees and Winners List
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Edison High School |
National Academic Championship champion 1998 |
Succeeded by James Island High School |
Coordinates: 40°46′57″N 77°51′26″W / 40.7824°N 77.8572°W
