| Quaker Valley Middle School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 201 Graham Street Sewickley, Pennsylvania 15143 |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1956 |
| School district | Quaker Valley School District |
| Principal | Mr. Sean Aiken |
| Head of school | Joseph Clapper |
| Grades | 6, 7, 8 |
| Color(s) | Black, White, and Gold |
| Mascot | Quaker |
| Information | (412) 749-5079 |
| Website | Quaker Valley Middle School |
Quaker Valley Middle School is a middle school in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. The school has adopted the Pre AP Curricular Framework. QVMS is well-known for an innovative laptop-technology grant, received in 2000 from former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge. In 2001, the entire district was designated a Pennsylvania Digital School District. Quaker Valley has been ranked in a University of Pittsburgh Study to be first in the region in use of technology, as an Apple Distinguished School for technology, and as a 2004 recipient of the Technology in Action Award (AASA).[1] The school district is also a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. As of the 09-10 school year, QVMS enrollment is 475 students.
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The building that QVMS currently occupies was built in the 1910s for Sewickley High School, a now defunct public school. When the Quaker Valley School District was organized in 1956, Sewickley High School closed, and the building then became a junior high school (encompassing grades 7, 8, and 9), known as Quaker Valley Junior High. This change was also accompanied by the addition of a new gymnasium, cafeteria, dance studio, and wood shop. The old gym, as well as locker rooms, is located underneath the school, and is no longer in use. The old gym is accessible via trap doors located on the 1st floor. In 1997, the building underwent renovations and was also converted to a middle school. These renovations included a new library computer lab, central office, as well as some additional classroom space and other minor changes. The band/chorus rooms under the auditorium became the district offices. All 6th graders and teachers from the school district moved to the middle school, and all 9th grade students and teachers moved to Quaker Valley High School. Due to increasing enrollment, program expansion and some serious infrastructure issues, planning is underway to renovate the building during the 2011-12 school year.
A study conducted in the 2004-2005 school year found the school diversity to be as follows: White- 87.1%, Hispanic - 1.4%, Native American - 0.3%, Asian - 1.3%, Black- 8%, Multi - 1.9%.[2] Over the past thirteen years, diversity has increased about 6%.[3] However, the school remains mostly homogeneous.