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Midd-West School District

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Map of Snyder County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts. Midd-West is in pink.

Midd-West School District (MWSD) is a pubic school district located in the borough of Middleburg in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It comprises sex schools: West Beaver Elementary School, Perry-West Perry Elementary School, Middleburg Elementary School, West Snyder Middle School, Middleburg Middle School, and Midd-West High School. Current enrollment is approximately 2400. The community is largely agrarian with a few small to medium-sized manufacturers. The county seat, Middleburg, is located in the district.

History

The district was founded in 1970 after the merger of the former West Snyder Area and Middleburg Area School Districts. Two high schools had been maintained despite declining enrollment and significant fiscal challenges. In 2004-2005 school year, Middleburg and West Snyder High Schools were united to form Midd-West High School. [1]

Having consolidated two elementary schools, in 2005 the district sold the Penns Creek and Beaver Adams elementary schools via public auction.[2]

A five year professional contract was agreed upon with the district's teachers union in August 2004.

Graduation

To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and math on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) tests administered in grade 11 or 12 or comparable local assessments.

The graduation rate in 2005 was 88.59%.[3] In 2006 it rose to 90.16%. The percentage of students who are continuing their education beyond high school in 2005 is 60%. [4]

To be eligible to graduate, students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 shall successfully complete a minimum of 25 credits. Three credits in Mathematics that include Algebra, Geometry and one other math credit. Three credits in science to include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Three credits in social studies that include World Cultures, American Cultures, and American Government. Four credits in English with a class taken each year. Two classes in arts and/or humanities. One course in health education. A planned course in physical education for each year. Planned courses in approved electives as needed to meet the total number of credits required for graduation.

Students must also complete a Culminating Project to satisfy graduation requirements. Each year students are required to complete specific activities described in the Culminating Project document. They are stoping the old format and doing what many other schools are doing, wich is the senior project and letting the culminating project be optional.

Programs

In addition to the traditional academics, the school district offers technology and job skills training at the SUN Area Career and Technology Center.

High school students have the option of taking courses in agriculture that prepare them for work on farms, nurseries and other agrarian fields. The FFA program has received national recognition for excellence. [5]

Sports

Midd-West School District mascot, a mustang

MWSD's mascot is the mustang. School colors are carolina blue and silver. Just before the merger of the two high schools, high school students were asked to vote on a new mascot and school colors to replace the old West Snyder HS Mounties (colors: red and white) and Middleburg HS Middies (colors: blue and gold).

MWSD offers thirteen sports for students at the high school level: baseball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, softball, boys' soccer, girls' soccer, and wrestling.

Midd-West School District is a member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference for all athletics. MWSD participates under the rules and guidelines of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Curriculum and Assessments

The curriculum is currently under revision to align it with the 1999 Pennsylvania Academic Standards. These standards are assessed in the third through eighth grades and eleventh grades under the guise of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. These tests cover critical skills in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Mathematics. Beginning in 2007 Science will also be measured.

PSSA Scores

11th grade Reading (percent proficient and better)
2004: 58.75 - State Avg 60.8%
2005: 75% - State Avg 65%
2006: 74.2% - State Avg 65.1%
2007: 67.3% - State Avg. 65.4% [6]

11th grade Math (percent proficient and better)
2004: 46.8% - State Avg 49.1%
2005: 49.1% - State Avg 51%
2006: 58.7% - State Avg 52%
2007: 51.1% - State Avg 53.7% [7]

In 2005 MWHS ranked 323rd out of 601 PA high schools for test scores on PSSAs. In 2007, Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the district 305th out of 499 Pennsylvania school districts based on three years of Pennsylvania System of Student Assessment test scores. [8]

SAT Scores
Math
2005: 513, State - 503
2006: 522, State - 500

Verbal
2005: 496, State - 500
2006: 494, State - 493

Midd-West School District was awarded a $77,993.00 grant under Classrooms for the Future 2006 to purchase computers for the student's use along with teacher trainng to optimize the computer's use to infuse rigor into the curriculum.[9]

Budget and taxes

The district budget was set at $26.17 million for 2007-2008. Several taxes are used to cover the costs of programs. Real estate taxes are 47.3 mills. In 2006 the millage was 63.5 mills. Snyder County set a new assessment ratio which increased from 75% to 100% of assessed value in 2007. The district adjusted the mills accordingly to be revenue neutral. The earned income tax is 2.3 percent. [10]

In 2006, the board did not raise real estate taxes. [11]

In May of 2007, voters rejected a referendum to increase the local earned income tax 0.5 percent in exchange for a $166 property tax rebate. [12]

Notes and references

  1. ^ Brown, Melissa, "Midd-West board approves consolidation plan", Daily Item. Feb. 24, 2004.
  2. ^ Midd-West to sell schools at public auction, Daily Item, October 25, 2004.
  3. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education AYP web site MIDD-WEST SD report card
  4. ^ Student Performance, School Matters, Standard and Poors 2005.
  5. ^ MIDD-WEST FFA Chapter Receives National Award FOR Excellence 2004.
  6. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2006-2007, Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  7. ^ Academic Achievement Report 2006-2007, Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  8. ^ Valley schools all over the chart, Daily Item, June 12, 2007 http://www.dailyitem.com/archivesearch/local_story_163000144.html
  9. ^ Classrooms for the Future 2006
  10. ^ Midd-West holds line on taxes, The Daily Item, June 26, 2007. http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/local_story_177000118.html
  11. ^ Laepple, G. Wayne "Midd-West won't raise taxes in 2006-07 budget", The Daily Item. April 26, 2006.
  12. ^ Tax reform lagging in Snyder County, May 15, 2007 Daily Item http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/local_story_135220848.html
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