Sto-Rox High School

Sto-Rox High School
Location
1105 Valley Street, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 [1]
Information
Type	Public
Established	1926
School district	Sto-Rox School District
Principal	Dr. Melanie Kerber
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	419 (2009-2010)
• Grade 9	110
• Grade 10	93
• Grade 11	118
• Grade 12	95
Color(s)	Kelly Green and White
Mascot	Viking
Website	High School

Sto-Rox High School is a high school located in the West Park neighborhood of Stowe Township, Pennsylvania. It is the only high school of the Sto-Rox School District, which educates the children of Stowe Township and the borough of McKees Rocks.

The building

The current building of the Sto-Rox High School was erected in 1926. At that time, it was only the Stowe Township High School, until it merged with the McKees Rocks School District in 1966, thus forming Sto-Rox.

It is a three-story, yellow brick building, housing grades 9-12. Formerly, it was the Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School, until, in 2002, the Sto-Rox Middle School was erected in Kennedy Township.

Since it was built, numerous additions have been added to the building, though none in recent years. A few years ago, the high school underwent a partial renovation.

Academic achievement

Sto-Rox High School's 11th grade was ranked 111th out of 123 Western Pennsylvania High School in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 1 year of science. In 2008, the school ranked 490th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts.

High School Graduation Rate:
2010 - 90%
2009 - 79%
2008 - 80%
2006 - 91%

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 37% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
2009 - 46%, State - 65%
2008 - 44%, State - 65%
2007 - 44%, State - 65%
2006 - 33%, State - 65% Sto-Rox High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2006
2005 - 39%, State - 65%

11th Grade Math:
2010 - 39% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 41%, State - 56%
2008 - 30%, State - 56%
2007 - 34%, State - 53%
2006 - 21%, State - 52%
2005 - 15%, State - 51%

11th Grade Science:
2010 - 12% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 24%, State - 40%
2008 - 22%

College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 53% of the Sto-Rox 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.

Graduation project

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.

Dual enrollment

The 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 state offers 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 school district received a state grant of $1,898 for the program.

Famous alumni

• David Cercone (1970) U.S. District Court Judge
• Chuck Fusina (1975) - Quarterback at Pennsylvania State University from 1975-1979; drafted into the NFL by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 133rd overall in 1979; Starting Quarterback for two time USFL Champions, Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars, 1984 & 1985.
• Billy Mays (1976) - Television pitchman, best known for OxiClean, died of heart disease in June 2009.
• Bob Ligashesky (1981) - College and NFL football coach
• Adam DiMichele (2003) - Philadelphia Soul quarterback
• Kathy Collins (1968) - Silver medal winner in Racewalking at Canadian Masters National Track and Field Championship
• Dennis Lebec (1968) - Assistant Professor of Communication at Mercyhurst College
• Myron_Brown (1987) - Former Slippery Rock University basketball standout and professional basketball player in the NBA, CBA and Italy.

Athletics

Sto-Rox is known for its outstanding boys basketball and girl's softball programs. The girl's softball team has won a district record 10 titles since 1985. The title years are (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993, 2000, 2001-2004 and 2006). They have also played in the PIAA state title game 4 times (1989, 1993, 2001, 2004) winning it once (1989). The only coach in the program's history is Bill Palermo who started in 1979. The wins/loss total for the team is 509-114.

The school board determines eligibility to participate in extracurriculars and athletics. Expectations include attendance at school and academic achievement.

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.

External links

1. Official website of the Sto-Rox School District