West York Area High School is located in York County in South Central Pennsylvania.
Part of the West York Area School District, it houses grades nine through twelve. The high school operates on a two-semester, four-period-a-day (80 minutes) block schedule. Students may attend the local technical school or specialized center on a part-time basis. Career internships and diversified occupations programs are available for seniors. In order to advance from grades 9 through 12, the following minimum credit levels must be earned: 10th - 6 credits, 11th - 13 credits, and in 12th - 20.5 credits.
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2007 - 73%, State - 65.4% [8]
The West York Area School Board has set that a minimum of 28.5 credits, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Math 4 Credits, Science 3 credits, Arts/Humanities 3 credits, Physical Education 2, Health 1, Parenting 0.5 credits and other credits. [14]
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.[15] In the spring of the junior year, students present their projects to a panel of teachers. Teachers from grades K through 12 serve on the assessment panels for the Graduation Project. Students earn .5 credit upon successful completion of their Graduation Project.
Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in Literature and Algebra 1.[16]
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 34% of West York Area School District 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.[17] 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.[18] 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.
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, including the graduation ceremony. 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.[19] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[20]
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,684 for the program.[21]
The district's students have access to a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board policy.[22]
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.[23]
The school's colors are navy blue and white and their mascot is a Bulldog West York is a member of PIAA AAA athletics class. West York finished the 2007 regular football season with a record of 9-1, sending them to play a Division III team at home for the first time in 10 years. In 2008 the football team went on to win their Division with once again a 9-1 regular season record. They went on to be the first team from YAIAA to ever win a AA or AAA district championship as they won the District III Championship in Hershey. The Bulldogs' unforgettable 2008 season unfortunately came to an end on December 5 at Altoona, Pennsylvania's Mansion Park Stadium. The Bulldogs fell to defending state champions Thomas Jefferson, 49-21. Thousands of West York fans made the trip across the state to root for their team, and even though it was a losing effort, there were many more smiles than tears as a result of a truly memorable team and season. West York's final record was 13-2, the best in school history.
The High School's musical for the year of 2006-2007 was "The King and I". The High School's musical for the year of 2007-2008 was "The Pajama Game". The High School's musical for the year of 2008-2009 was "The Wizard of Oz". The High Schools musical for the year of 2009-2010 was " Thoroughly Modern Millie"
For the year of 2007-2008 the theme of the band show was "American Tapestry" and for the year of 2008-2009, the proud West York Marching Band bursted in song with themes of pirates and the sea with "Island Pulse". The 2009-210 season contained the songs of Billy Joel and the current 2010-2011 theme is Chuck Mangione.
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