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====Dual enrollment====
====Dual enrollment====
Portage Area 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. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patrac.org/ |title=Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement |author=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |date=March 2010}}</ref> Under state rules, other students that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are home schooled are eligible to participate in this program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_district_oversight/20313/dual_and_concurrent_enrollment/974411 |title=Dual Enrollment Guidelines |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2010}}</ref> The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.<ref>Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dual Enrollment Guidelines, 2010</ref> For the 2009-10 funding year, Portage Area High School received a state grant of $6,813 for the program.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_scmN--D7LbNmQ5ZGUyMGQtZWQ4Ni00NTkyLWEwZTYtMjY3Y2IyNWZjYjNk&hl=en |title=Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Allocations to school districts for 2010-11 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2009}}</ref> In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.
Portage Area 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. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patrac.org/ |title=Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement |author=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |date=March 2010}}</ref> Under state rules, other students that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are home schooled are eligible to participate in this program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_district_oversight/20313/dual_and_concurrent_enrollment/974411 |title=Dual Enrollment Guidelines |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2010}}</ref> The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.<ref>Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dual Enrollment Guidelines, 2010</ref> For the 2009-10 funding year, Portage Area High School received a state grant of $6,813 for the program.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_scmN--D7LbNmQ5ZGUyMGQtZWQ4Ni00NTkyLWEwZTYtMjY3Y2IyNWZjYjNk&hl=en |title=Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Allocations to school districts for 2010-11 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2009}}</ref> In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.

Portage Area HIgh School does not offer [[Advanced Placement]] (AP) courses, which can allow students to save on college credits.


====Graduation requirements====
====Graduation requirements====
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pdesas.org/module/assessment/Keystone.aspx |title=Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol40/40-2/56.html |title=Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4 |author=Pennsylvania State Board of Education |year=2010}}</ref> 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.<ref>Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Finalizes Adoption of Pennsylvania Common Core State Academic Standards and High School Graduation Requirements, March 14, 2013</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/keystone_exams/20436 |title=Keystone Exams |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2011}}</ref> 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.
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pdesas.org/module/assessment/Keystone.aspx |title=Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol40/40-2/56.html |title=Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4 |author=Pennsylvania State Board of Education |year=2010}}</ref> 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.<ref>Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Finalizes Adoption of Pennsylvania Common Core State Academic Standards and High School Graduation Requirements, March 14, 2013</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/keystone_exams/20436 |title=Keystone Exams |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2011}}</ref> 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.

====Challenge Program====
The Challenge Program offers $250.00 cash incentives to Portage Area High School students who excel in the categories of: Academic Improvement, Attendance, Community Service and Academic Excellence. The program partners with businesses to motivate students both in and out of the classroom by encouraging good habits in students that will last throughout their education and into their future careers. For the 2010-2011 school year, the top 10% of students in each of the categories will be eligible to win $250.00.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tcpinc.org/sponsored-schools/ |title=The Challenge Program Sponsored Schools 2015 |author=Challenge Program Administration |year=2015}}</ref>

====SAT scores====
In 2014, 32 Portage Area School District students took the [[SAT]] exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 470. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 462.<ref>PDE, School Performance profile, November 6, 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_assessment_system/20965/sat_and_act_scores/1339721 |title=SAT and ACT Scores |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/sat/PA_14_03_03_01.pdf |title=2014 College-Bound Seniors State Profile Report |author=College Board |year=2014}}</ref> In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.

In 2013, 33 Portage Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 485. The Math average score was 523. The Writing average score was 487. 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://research.collegeboard.org/programs/sat/data/cb-seniors-2013 |title=The 2013 SAT Report on College & Career Readiness |author=College Board |year=2013}}</ref>

In 2012, 31 Portage Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 473. The Math average score was 512. The Writing average score was 480. 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, 48 Portage Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 467. The Math average score was 502. The Writing average score was 469.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/data_and_statistics/7202/sat_and_act_scores/674663 |title=Public School SAT Scores 2011 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2011}}</ref> Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/policyblog/detail/sat-scores-by-state-2011 |title=SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania |author=College Board |date=September 15, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/09/while_us_sat_scores_dip_across.html |title=While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady |work=NJ.com |date=September 15, 2011}}</ref>

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rural.palegislature.us/news0706.html#8 |title=SAT Scores and Other School Data |author=The Center for Rural Pennsylvania |date=August 2006}}</ref>


==Athletics==
==Athletics==

Revision as of 10:31, 24 September 2015

Portage Area School District
Address
84 Mountain Avenue

Portage
,
Cambria County
,
Pennsylvania
15946

United States of America
Information
TypePublic
Established1948
ClosedPortage Area MS 2007
School board9 locally elected members
SuperintendentEric A Zelanko, Superintendent (contract July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2019)[1] Salary $99,950 (2014)[2]
former superintendent Mr. Richard J. Bernazzoli salary $103,296 (2013)
AdministratorMichael J Kunko, Business Manager

Melodie Hope Brunett, salary $99,533
Deborah L Meckey, salary $77,480
Michael J Kunko, salary $73,911
Denise Moschgat, transportation coord.
Ryan Clouse, Tech Coordinator
Elysia Myher, Special Education John Smithmyer, Cafeteria Manager
Jeremy Burkett, Athletic Director

John Kowalski, Psychologist
PrincipalMr. Ralph Cecere (Jr.-Sr. High School) salary $95,360 (2013)
PrincipalChristian Serenko, ES
Staff62 non teaching staff members[3]
Faculty65 teachers (2013)
GradesPreK-12
Age4 years old preschool to 21 years old special education
Number of pupils926 pupils (2014-15)[4]

926 pupils (2013-14)
924 pupils (2012-13)
934 pupils (2010-11)

980 pupils (2006-07)
 • Kindergarten60 (2013), 144 (2010)
 • Grade 153 (2013), 70
 • Grade 283 (2013), 63
 • Grade 369 (2013), 71
 • Grade 474 (2013), 66
 • Grade 570 (2013), 75
 • Grade 665 (2013), 54
 • Grade 772 (2013), 69
 • Grade 874 (2013), 63
 • Grade 952 (2013), 63
 • Grade 1065 (2013), 66
 • Grade 1167 (2013), 65
 • Grade 1263 (2013), 65 (2010)
 • Other59 (2013)
LanguageEnglish
Color(s)Green and White
Team nameMustangs
YearbookExcelsior
Per pupil spending$10,336 (2008)
Per pupil spending$11,944.07 (2012)
Websitehttp://portageareasd.org

The Portage Area School District is a diminutive, rural, public school district in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The District encompasses approximately 28 square miles (73 km2). It serves Portage and Cassandra Boroughs, as well as Portage Township. According to 2000 federal census data, it served a resident population of 6,879. By 2010, the Portage Area School District's population declined to 6,425 people.[5] The educational attainment levels for the Portage Area School District population (25 years old and over) were 89.2% high school graduates and 14.1% college graduates.[6] The District is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania. Originally named the Portage Joint School District, Portage Area was established in 1948.

According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 53.9% of the Portage Area School District’s pupils lived at 185% or below the Federal Poverty Level [1] as shown by their eligibility for the federal free or reduced price school meal programs in 2012.[7] In 2009, Portage Area School District residents’ per capita income was $15,142, while the median family income was $38,351.[8] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[9] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[10] In Cambria County, the median household income was $39,574.[11] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.[12] In 2014, the median household income in the USA was $53,700.[13]

According to Portage Area School District officials, the District provided basic educational services to 957 pupils. It employed: 81 teachers, 44 full-time and part-time support personnel, and six (6) administrators during the 2011-12 school year. Portage Area School District received $8.3 million in state funding in the 2011-12 school year. District officials reported that in school year 2007-08, the Portage Area School District provided basic educational services to 995 pupils. The District employed: 80 teachers, 11 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 6 administrators. Portage Area School District received more than $7.8 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.

Portage Area School District operates two schools: 'Portage Area Elementary School (Grades PreK-6) and Portage Area Junior Senior High School (Grades 7-12). In 1972 the District, along with five other neighboring districts in Cambria County, established the Admiral Peary Vocational-Technical School near Ebensburg. High school students may choose to attend the vocational technical school for training in the construction and mechanical trades. The Appalachia Intermediate Unit IU8 provides the District with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, background checks for employees, state mandated recognizing and reporting child abuse training, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Governance

Portage Area School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve without compensation for a term of four years), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[14] The federal government controls programs it funds like: Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent regarding renewal of the employment contract.[15]

Academic achievement

In 2015, Portage Area School District ranked 155th out of 493 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[16] The ranking is based on the last 3 years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in: reading, writing, math and science and the three Keystone Exams (literature, Algebra 1, Biology I) in high school.[17] Three school districts were excluded because they do not operate high schools (Saint Clair Area School District, Midland Borough School District, Duquesne City School District). The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th. Adapted PSSA examinations are given to children in the special education programs. Writing exams were given to children in 5th and 8th grades.

  • 2014 - 146th[18]
  • 2013 - 146th[19]
  • 2012 - 157th [20]
  • 2008 - 282nd
  • 2007 - 224th out of 501 school districts.[21]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Portage Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[22] In 2011, Portage Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.[23][24] Portage Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2003 to 2010.[25]

Graduation rate

In 2014, the Portage Area School District’s graduation rate was 89.7%.[26]

  • 2013 - 92.6% [27]
  • 2012 - 92.5%.[28]
  • 2011 - 96%.[29]
  • 2010 - 92.5%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Area High School's rate was 97.8% for 2010.[30]
According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Junior Senior High school

Portage Area Junior Senior High School is located at 85 Mountain Avenue, Portage. In 2014, enrollment was reported as 392 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 57.6% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 14% of pupils received special education services, while 3.3% of pupils were identified as gifted.[34] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, Portage Area Junior Senior High School reported an enrollment of 378 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 177 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2012, Portage Area Junior Senior High School employed 28.6 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.[35] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[36]

2014 School Performance Profile

Portage Area Junior Senior High School achieved 75.3 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 82.8% of students were on grade level. In mathematics/Algebra 1, 74% showed on grade level skills. In science/Biology 1, just 66.6% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. In writing, 86.7% of 8th graders demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[37][38] 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%.[39]

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.[40] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[41][42]

2013 School Performance Profile

Portage Area Junior Senior High School achieved 87.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 83.9% of pupils were on grade level. In mathematics/Algebra 1, 85.5% showed on grade level skills. In science/Biology, 70% showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 84% of 8th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[43] 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.[44]

AYP History

In 2012, Portage Area Junior Senior High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[45] In 2010 and 2011, Portage Area Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status.[46] From 2003 through 2009, Portage Area Junior SeniorHIgh Shcool achieved AYP history status each school year. Effective with Spring 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education discontinued administering the PSSA's to 11th graders.

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.[47] 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.[48]

11th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 75% on grade level, (11% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[49]
  • 2011 - 65% (8% below basic). State - 69.1%[50]
  • 2010 - 76% (15% below basic). State - 66%[51]
  • 2009 - 72% (9% below basic). State - 65%[52]
  • 2008 - 66% (13% below basic). State - 65%[53]
  • 2007 - 68% (17% below basic). State - 65%[54]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 52% on grade level (25% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[55]
  • 2011 - 52% (28% below basic). State - 60.3%[56]
  • 2010 - 67% (16% below basic). State - 59%[57]
  • 2009 - 64% (20% below basic). State - 56%[58]
  • 2008 - 55% (27% below basic). State - 56%[59]
  • 2007 - 50% (30% below basic). State - 53%[60]

11th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 48% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[61]
  • 2011 - 61% (4% below basic). State - 40%[62]
  • 2010 - 53% (8% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 46% (16% below basic). State - 40%[63]
  • 2008 - 44% (12% below basic). State - 39%[64]
  • 2007 - students field tested. Results withheld from the public by PDE.

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 15% of the Portage 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.[65][66] 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.[67][68] 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.

Dual enrollment

Portage Area 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. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[69] Under state rules, other students that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are home schooled are eligible to participate in this program.[70] The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[71] For the 2009-10 funding year, Portage Area High School received a state grant of $6,813 for the program.[72] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.

Portage Area HIgh School does not offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which can allow students to save on college credits.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Portage Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 units of credit to graduate, including: a required class every year in English - 4 credits and social studies- 4 credits, Mathematics - 3 credits, science - 3 credits, health and Physical Education 1.33 credits, Independent Reading (.33 credit, per year, grades: 9-11), Driver Education - .33 credit and electives 7.5 credits.[73] Students are also forced to complete 60 community service hours in order to graduate.

For nearly two decades, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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.[74] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[75]

By Pennsylvania State 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 respective Keystone Exams for each course.[76] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[77]

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.[78][79] 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.[80] 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.[81] 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.

Challenge Program

The Challenge Program offers $250.00 cash incentives to Portage Area High School students who excel in the categories of: Academic Improvement, Attendance, Community Service and Academic Excellence. The program partners with businesses to motivate students both in and out of the classroom by encouraging good habits in students that will last throughout their education and into their future careers. For the 2010-2011 school year, the top 10% of students in each of the categories will be eligible to win $250.00.[82]

SAT scores

In 2014, 32 Portage Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 470. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 462.[83][84] 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.[85] In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.

In 2013, 33 Portage Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 485. The Math average score was 523. The Writing average score was 487. 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.[86]

In 2012, 31 Portage Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 473. The Math average score was 512. The Writing average score was 480. 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, 48 Portage Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 467. The Math average score was 502. The Writing average score was 469.[87] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[88] 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.[89]

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 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.[90]

Athletics

There are a plethora of athletics available at Portage Area Jr.-Sr. High School, they are as follows

Boys Athletics

Girls Athletics

Caldwell Avenue Athletic Facilities

The district maintains its baseball and football on Caldwell Avenue, about a half mile east of the former elementary and high schools located in the town center.

The football stadium, the result of a Works Progress Administration project, was constructed in the 1930s. It is situated south of the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

References

  1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2015). "Portage Area School District Administration".
  2. ^ Portage Area School Board (2014). "Portage Area School District employment contract with Eric A Zelanko" (PDF).
  3. ^ NCES, Common COre of Data - Portage area School District, 2013
  4. ^ Pennsylvania Department ofEducation (November 4, 2014). "Portage Area School District Fast Facts 2014".
  5. ^ US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Poverty Data by Local Education Agency, 2011
  6. ^ proximityone (2014). "School District Comparative Analysis Profiles".
  7. ^ Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, Education Facts Student Poverty Concentration by LEA, 2012
  8. ^ US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
  9. ^ US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts".
  10. ^ US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
  11. ^ US Census Bureau (2014). "Pennsylvania Median household income, 2006-2010 by County".
  12. ^ Michael Sauter and Alexander E.M. Hess, (August 31, 2013). "America's most popular six-figure jobs". USA Today.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  13. ^ Jeff Guo (September 15, 2015). "Lower wages for whites, higher wages for immigrants, and inequality for all". Washington Post.
  14. ^ Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
  15. ^ Pennsylvania General Assembly, Pennsylvania School Code, 2013
  16. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 10, 2015). "Guide to Pennsylvania Schools Statewide School District Ranking 2015". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 11, 2014). "What makes up a district's School Performance Profile score?". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  18. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 11, 2014). "Western Pennsylvania School Guide 2014". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2013". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 5, 2013.
  20. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times, Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2012, April 4, 2012
  21. ^ "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007.
  22. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Portage Area School District AYP Overview 2012".
  23. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "About Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in Pennsylvania".
  24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Public School District AYP History, 2011
  25. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania District AYP History 2003-2010, 2011
  26. ^ PDE, Graduation rate by LEA, 2014
  27. ^ PDE, Graduation rate by LEA, 2013
  28. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Portage Area School District AYP Data Table 2012".
  29. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area School District AYP Data Table 2011, September 29, 2011
  30. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  31. ^ The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  32. ^ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  33. ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
  34. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (December 4, 2014). "Portage Area Junior Senior High School Fast Facts 2014".
  35. ^ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core Data - Portage Area Junior Senior High School, 2013
  36. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Portage Area Junior Senior High School 2012, September 21, 2012
  37. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "Portage Area Junior Senior High School Academic Performance Data 2014".
  38. ^ Evamarie Socha (November 6, 2014). "Half of Valley districts see state test scores decline". The Daily Item.
  39. ^ By Eleanor Chute (November 21, 2014). "Pennsylvania student scores declined with reduced funding, test results show". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  40. ^ 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
  41. ^ Kathy Boccella, Dylan Purcell, and Kristen A. Graham, (November 6, 2014). "Pa. school rankings: Downingtown STEM No. 1; Phila. falters". Philadelphia Inquirer.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ Jan Murphy (November 6, 2014). "More Pa. school scores decline than improve, state report card shows". Pennlive.com.
  43. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area Junior Senior High School Academic Performance Data 2013, October 4, 2013
  44. ^ Eleanor Chute and Mary Niederberger (December 11, 2013). "New assessment shows fuller picture of Pa. schools". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  45. ^ PDE (2012). "Portage Area Junior Senior HIgh School AYP D=Overview 2012".
  46. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area Junior Senior High School Academic Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  47. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Academic Standards".
  48. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Assessment System".
  49. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  50. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  51. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  52. ^ The Times-Tribune (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results".
  53. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  54. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
  55. ^ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  56. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  57. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, October 20, 2010
  58. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  59. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
  60. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Portage Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card, 2007
  61. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Portage Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012" (PDF).
  62. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  63. ^ The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  64. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Report on PSSA Science results by school and grade 2008".
  65. ^ Jan Murphy (January 30, 2009). "Report: One-third of local high schoolers unprepared for college". Pennlive.com.
  66. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report 2009".
  67. ^ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  68. ^ Achieve.org (2014). "THE VALUE OF THE COLLEGE- AND CAREER-READY AGENDA IN PENNSYLVANIA" (PDF).
  69. ^ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  70. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  71. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dual Enrollment Guidelines, 2010
  72. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Allocations to school districts for 2010-11".
  73. ^ Portage Area High School (2015). "Portage Area High School Student Handbook 2015-16".
  74. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  75. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  76. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  77. ^ Megan Harris (September 12, 2013). "Pennsylvania changing high school graduation requirements". Tribune Live.
  78. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  79. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  80. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Finalizes Adoption of Pennsylvania Common Core State Academic Standards and High School Graduation Requirements, March 14, 2013
  81. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  82. ^ Challenge Program Administration (2015). "The Challenge Program Sponsored Schools 2015".
  83. ^ PDE, School Performance profile, November 6, 2014
  84. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "SAT and ACT Scores".
  85. ^ College Board (2014). "2014 College-Bound Seniors State Profile Report" (PDF).
  86. ^ College Board (2013). "The 2013 SAT Report on College & Career Readiness".
  87. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  88. ^ College Board (September 15, 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  89. ^ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 15, 2011.
  90. ^ The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (August 2006). "SAT Scores and Other School Data".
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