Juniata High School

Juniata High School
Address
3931 William Penn Highway
Milford Township
Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, Juniata County, 17059
United States
Information
School type Public High School
School board 9 locally elected, serves 4 year term without compensation
School district Juniata County School District
Superintendent Mr. Richard Musselman
School code NCES School ID: 421260006255
Director Stephen Dreibelbis, Athletic Director
Principal Mr. Edward Apple, salary $88,749 (2012)[1]
Vice Principal Mrs. Nancy Kramer, salary $75,222 (2012)
Teaching staff 50 (2009), 40.75 teachers (2011)[2] 37 teachers 2012[3]
Grades 9th-12th
Age 14 years old to 21 years special ed students
Number of students 563 pupils (2013), 574 pupils (2012), 622 pupils (2010)
 • Grade 9 160 (2010), 138 (2013)
 • Grade 10 165 (2010), 144 (2013)
 • Grade 11 141 (2010), 139 (2013)
 • Grade 12 156 (2010), 142 (2013)
Student to teacher ratio 14:1
Language English
Hours in school day 8:15 AM - 3:15pm[4]
Athletics conference PIAA District VI
Team name Indians
Rival East Juniata
School fees $250 for extracurriculars
Communities served East Waterford, Mexico, Mifflin, Mifflintown, Port Royal
Feeder schools Tuscarora Junior High
Affiliations Mifflin Juniata Career and Technology Center, Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11
Website http://www.jcsdk12.org/jhs/site/default.asp
School District region in Juniata County

Juniata High School is a small, rural, public high school which is one of two high school operated by the Juniata County School District. The students reside in the central and western portions of Juniata County in central Pennsylvania. The campus is located centrally in the county in Milford Township and is shared with the school's sole feeder school, Tuscarora Junior High School. Juniata High School provides grades 9th through 12th. By 2013, pupil enrollment had declined to 563 pupils, with 36.7% of pupils coming from low income homes. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[5] In 2013, the school reported that 10% of the pupils received special education services while 3.7% of pupils were identified as gifted.[6] In that 6 teachers were rated Non-Highly qualified by NCLB. They had failed to maintain their teacher certifications.[7]

In 2009, Juniata High School served 622 students (336 males, 286 females) in grades 9-12. There were forty teachers on the faculty. One hundred ninety students qualified for the federal free and reduced lunch program due to family poverty.[8]

Graduation rates

In 2013, Juniata High School's graduation rate was 90.54%.[9]

AYP Status

In 2012, Juniata High School declined to School Improvement I status due to missing 6 out of 6 academics metrics in reading and math, coupled a declining graduation rate.[12] Juniata High School administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[13] The High School is eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[14]

Academics

2013 School Performance Profile

Juniata High School achieved 70.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 70% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 63% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 37% showed on grade level science understanding.[17] 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, they now take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.

PSSA Results:

PSSAs are NCLB related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012. In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology 1. The Keystone Exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.

11th Grade Reading:
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:

Science in Motion Juniata High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.[28] Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

SAT Scores

In 2013, Juniata High School students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 490. The Math average score was 471. The Writing average score was 474. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nation-wide SAT results were the same as in 2012.[29]

In 2012, 77 Juniata High School students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 484. The Math average score was 487. The Writing average score was 478. 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, 67 Juniata High School students took the SAT exams. The school's Verbal Average Score was 508. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 487.[30] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[31] In the United States 1.65 million students took the SAT exams in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[32]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education 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.[33]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary.

All students graduating from Juniata County School District [34] must have 23 credits as well as complete a graduation project in order to graduate

Subject Area #/Credits
English 4.0
Social Studies 4.0*
Mathematics 3.0
Science 3.0
Physical Education 1.6
Health 0.6
Technology 1.0
Electives 6.0
TOTAL 23.0

By law, 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.[35] 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.[36]

By Pennsylvania 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 Keystone Exams.[37] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[38]

All students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.[39][40] 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.[41] 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.[42] 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.

Courses of Study

Four Courses of Study are available:[34]

Course Offerings

There are several course offerings available at Juniata:[34]

Dual Enrollment The Juniata High School does not offer the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. The program is offered through over 400 school districts. Susquehanna University and Juniata College both offer courses to high school students in the region.

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 27% of the Juniata 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.[43] 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.[44] 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.

AP Courses

In 2013, Juniata High School offered 1 Advanced Placement (AP) course at a higher cost than regular courses. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Juniata High School 20% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[45]

Library

One of the facilities within the school is the Library[46] which contains nearly 14,000 volumes, of which nearly 7,000 books have Accelerated Reader quizzes available. The library also has current magazines and archived magazine for the most recent three years. Newspapers are received daily and weekly, and there is a Vertical File collection available for student use, along with eight computers for general purposes.

Wellness policy

Juniata County School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006.[47] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[48]

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.[49] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

The Juniata High School offers a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.[50] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[51]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.[52] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.[53]

Juniata County School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.[54] Nurses also monitor each child's weight. By policy, the students are required to leave all medications with the nurse's office.

The Juniata County School District participated in Highmark Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.[55]

Extracurriculars

The Juniata County School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports at Juniata High School. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies.[56][57] Students may be failing several courses and still participate in extracurriculars including athletics.

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 home schooled, 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.[58][59][60]

The School offers: FFA, band and chorus, as well as Honor Society.

Athletics

According to Pennsylvania’s Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.[61][62]

Effective with the 2011-12 school year, students must pay a $250 fee (in advance) to participate in athletics. Booster clubs are responsible for funding all costs for a sport that is not covered by the athletic fee.[63]

Juniata High School participates in PIAA District VI:[64]

References

  1. ↑ Commonwealth Foundation, Executive Salaries in Pennsylvania Schools, 2012
  2. ↑ National Center of Education Statistics, Juniata High School Common Core of Data, 2013
  3. ↑ US News and World Report (2014). "Juniata High School data 2013".
  4. ↑ Juniata County School District, Secondary Student Handbook, 2012
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Juniata High School 2012, September 21, 2012
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, School Performance Profile - Juniata High School, 2013
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2012). "Teachers Qualification - Juniata High School 2012".
  8. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Juniata Senior High School, 2010
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, School Performance Profile Academics - Juniata High School, 2013
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Pennsylvania Department of Education, Juniata High School School AYP Data Table 2011, September 29, 2011
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Juniata High School School AYP Data Table 2010, October 20, 2010
  12. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "JUNIATA High School AYP Overview 2012".
  13. ↑ US Deptartment of Education, (2003). "NCLB Parental Notices".
  14. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "School Improvement Grant".
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "JUNIATA High School AYP Overview".
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 2011). "Juniata Senior High School - School AYP Overview 2010".
  17. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Juniata High School Academic Performance Data 2013".
  18. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 2011). "Juniata High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010".
  21. ↑ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Juniata Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011".
  23. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2010). "2010 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  24. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  25. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Juniata High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012".
  26. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  27. ↑ "Pennsylvania Department of Education Report on Science PSSA 2008". August 2008.
  28. ↑ The Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnership, Science in Motion annual report, 2012
  29. ↑ College Board (2013). "The 2013 SAT Report on College & Career Readiness".
  30. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  31. ↑ College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  32. ↑ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
  33. ↑ The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (August 2006). "SAT Scores and Other School Data".
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 "Course Description Booklet". Juniata County School District. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  35. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  36. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  37. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview".
  38. ↑ Megan Harris (September 12, 2013). "Pennsylvania changing high school graduation requirements". Tribune Live.
  39. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  40. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  41. ↑ 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
  42. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  43. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,".
  44. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  45. ↑ PDE, School Performance Profile - Academic Performance Data - Juniata High School, December 2013
  46. ↑ "Juniata High School - Library". Juniata County School District. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  47. ↑ Juniata County School Board Policy Manual (November 2006). "Student Wellness Policy 246,".
  48. ↑ Probart C, McDonnell E, Weirich JE, Schilling L, Fekete V. (September 2008). "Statewide assessment of local wellness policies in Pennsylvania public school districts.". J Am Diet Assoc 108 (9): 1497–502. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2008.06.429. PMID 18755322.
  49. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education – Division of Food and Nutrition (July 2008). "Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive".
  50. ↑ USDA, Child Nutrition Programs - Eligibility Manual for School Meals, 2012
  51. ↑ Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center, The Pennsylvania School Breakfast Report Card, 2009
  52. ↑ USDA, Child Nutrition Programs, June 27, 2013
  53. ↑ United States Department of Agriculture (2011). "Food and Nutrition Service Equity in School Lunch Pricing Fact Sheet".
  54. ↑ Pennsylvania State Department of Health (2010). "Pennsylvania Bulletin Doc. No. 10-984 School Immunizations; Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases".
  55. ↑ PR Newswire, Highmark Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools Available Free Through 2009, 2007
  56. ↑ Juniata County School Board. "Extracurricular Activities Policy 122".
  57. ↑ Juniata County School Board. "Interscholastic Athletics and Co-curricular Activities Policy 123".
  58. ↑ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
  59. ↑ Juniata County School Board. "Extracurricular Participation by Home Education Students Policy 137.1".
  60. ↑ Juniata County School Board. "Extracurricular Participation by Charter/Cyber Charter Students Policy 140.1".
  61. ↑ PA General Assembly, (July 1, 2012). "Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011 Safety in Youth Sports Act".
  62. ↑ UMPC Sports Medicine (2014). "Managing Concussions in Student Athletes: The Safety in Youth Sports Act".
  63. ↑ Jeff Fishbein (2011). "District working with parents to support school sports". Lewistown Sentinel.
  64. ↑ "PIAA - Schools - Directory - Juniata High School". Retrieved 21 January 2012.

Coordinates: 40°32′50″N 77°22′02″W / 40.547111°N 77.367154°W