McGuffey High School

McGuffey High School is one of four schools that make up the McGuffey School District in rural Claysville, Pennsylvania, located approximately 30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. The school's official colors are navy blue and gold and "Highlanders" has been adopted as the official school nickname.^[1] The McGuffey High School building is jointly used by McGuffey Middle School. The school and the district are named for William Holmes McGuffey, author of the McGuffey Reader, who was born within the district boundaries.^[1]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate was 90%.^[3] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. McGuffey High School's rate was 85% for 2010.^[4]

Under former calculation formula

• 2010 – 95% ^[5]
• 2009 – 91% ^[6]
• 2008 – 91%
• 2007 – 98% ^[7]

Academic achievement

In 2011, McGuffey High School achieved AYP status. In 2010, the school was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.^[8]

Local Region Ranking

In 2011, McGuffey High School was ranked 98th of 122 high schools, within a seven county region in western Pennsylvania, by the Pittsburgh Business Times, for academic achievement based on five years of PSSA results on: mathematics, reading, writing and three years of science.

• 2010 - 94th of 124 high schools in seven county region of western Pennsylvania.^[9]
• 2009 - 102nd of 123 high schools in Western Pennsylvania^[10]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading:

• 2011 - 66% on grade level, (14% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[11]
• 2010 - 63%, State - 66% ^[12]
• 2009 - 63%, State - 65%
• 2008 - 61%, State - 65%
• 2007 - 59%, State - 65% ^[13]

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 61%, on grade level (23% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 56%, State - 59%
• 2009 - 56%, State - 56% ^[14]
• 2008 - 49%, State - 56%^[15]
• 2007 - 47%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 38% on grade level (19% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level. .^[16]
• 2010 - 42%. State - 39%
• 2009 - 43%, State - 40% ^[17]
• 2008 - 41% ^[18]

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 42% of the McGuffey 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.^[19] Fewer 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.^[20] 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 requirements

The McGuffey School Board has determined that students must earn 27 units to graduate (28 units for students who attend Western Area Career and Technical Center). students must earn: 4 units of English, 4 units of math (Algebra and Geometry included), 4 units Science including Biology, 4 units Social Studies, 2 units of Physical Education, 1 unit Information Systems Keyboarding, 1 unit Fine Arts/Humanities, 0.5 units Health, 0.5 unit safety and 6 electives.^[21]

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.^[22] At McGuffey High School, students may choose between completing: a Career Explorations Project, an Interdisciplinary Project, a Community Service Project or a Western Area Career and Technology Center Project.^[23]

By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.^[24]

Dual enrollment

Effective with the 2010-11 school year, McGuffey High School offers a Dual Enrollment program.^[25] The school has an agreement with California University of Pennsylvania and Community College of Allegheny County. 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.^[26] 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.^[27] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[28]

Extracurriculars

The McGuffey School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.^[29][30] The district permits students, who are failing core academic classes, to continue to participate in extracurriculars.

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.^[31]

References

External links

• Public School Report: McGuffey High School