Tunkhannock Area High School

Tunkhannock Area High School
Location
135 Tiger Street, Tunkhannock,
Pennsylvania , Wyoming County, 18657
United States United States
Information
School type Public
School district Tunkhannock Area School District
Principal Gregory Ellsworth
Faculty 81 in 2010
Pupils 1,023 (2009-10) [1]
 • Grade 9 203
 • Grade 10 211
 • Grade 11 234
 • Grade 12 228
 • Other Enrollment projected to be 813 in 2020[2]
Campus type Large District Type, Rural Campus
Color(s) Orange, Black, and White
Team name Tigers
Tuition for nonresident and charter school students HS - $9,999.11 [3]
Website www.edline.net/pages/Tunkhannock_HS

Tunkhannock Area High School lies in the valley of the Endless Mountains. The school is located at 135 Tiger Street, Tunkhannock in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 1,023 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 279 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch. The school employed 81 teachers yielding a student teacher ratio of 13:1.[4] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 3 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind Act.[5]

Graduation rate

In 2011, Tunkhannock Area School District's graduation rate was 95%.[6] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Tunkhannock High School's rate was 81% for 2010.[7]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Academics

In 2011, Tunkhannock High School declined to Corrective Action Level 1 status due to continuing low student achievement.[12] In 2011, Tunkhannock High School declined to School Improvement II status due to continuing lagging student achievement.[13] The administration was required to by the federal No Child Left Behind law to notify parents of the schools poor performance and to make them aware of their right to transfer their child to another school in the district that was achieving AYP status.[14]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

11th Grade Math:

11th Grade Science:

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 15% of Tunkhannock 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.[28] 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.[29] 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.

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 171 Tunkhannock students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 491. The Writing average score was 466.[30] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[31] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[32]

Curriculum

The Tunkhannock High School Curriculum allows students to take the appropriate class according to their learning level. General, Academic, Honors, and Advanced Placement on select courses are the choices the students and their parents can choose from to meet their needs. If a student takes Advanced Placement course, he/she can test out of college courses they will need post high school. The Tunkhannock High School Curriculum contains classes that apply to many post high school careers. It prepares its students for post high school education and Standardized Testing. Students who go over and beyond what they are expected to do, can also receive student of the month.

Graduation requirements

Tunkhannock Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 26 credits to graduate including: math 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 3 credits, Arts and/or Humanities 2 credits, Computer 1 credit, Physical Education/health 1 credit and electives 8 credits. Students must take a minimum of 6.25 credits each year while enrolled in the Tunkhannock Area High School.[33] Students not being proficient on the PSSA have an alternate means of demonstrating proficiency on the PSSA as outlined in the board policy.

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.[34] Students must complete 15 hours of community service as their high school graduation project.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 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.[35][36][37] 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.[38] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Music Program

The music program at Tunkhannock High School allows students to delve into the study and performance of music through instruments and singing. The band traveled to Orlando, Florida to perform in The Gator Bowl. The Drama and Music Department works together to perform their annual fall and spring musicals. The Spring 2009 musical that will be performed in the school's auditorium is Oliver. The music program is highly respected and one of the best in surrounding counties.

Courses offered:

  • Marching/Concert Band
  • Symphonic Band
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Band Sectionals
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • String Ensemble
  • String Sectionals
  • Philosophy of Music
  • Mixed Chorus
  • Chorus Sectionals

School to career opportunities

This program is available to all students that would like to experience the work force while still in high school. Students may also work in or job shadow several a variety of careers to help them decide their future plans. Some of the opportunities that students may take part in are Cooperative Vocational Education, Internship Program, Job Shadowing Summer Tech Prep Co-op Program, Skills VSA/VICA, and Transitional Job Shadowing/Job Training.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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.[39]

Athletics

Tunkhannock High School offers a quality sport programs. With experienced coaches, the teams practice and play to their highest potential. Cheer-leading, cross country, track and field, girls & boys soccer, girls & boys volleyball, girls & boys tennis, girls & boys basketball, lacrosse, golf, girls & boys swimming & diving, and field hockey are offered.

In the fall of 2009, the Tunkhannock Area Boy's Cross Country team won the District II PIAA Championship and then went on to compete in state meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

In June 2010, the Tunkhannock Area Baseball team were crowned District II AAA Champions. The team advanced to the Quarterfinals of the state playoff before being defeated by Conrad-Weiser.

In June 2011, the Tunkhannock Area Baseball team advanced to the AAA State Championship for the first time in school history.

In May 2013, the Tunkhannock Area Boy's Track and Field team won the District II PIAA Championship for the first time in school history.

References

  1. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment and Projections by LEA Tunkhannock High School, July 2010
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2011). "Enrollment and Projections by school district".
  3. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tuition rates per LEA, July 20, 2011
  4. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data - Tunkhannock High School, 2010
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Tunkhannock High School, September 29, 2011
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Tunkhannock Area School District AYP Data Table".
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  8. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "School District Academic Achievement Report Card Data table".
  9. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  10. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
  12. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tunkhannock High School AYP Overview 2011, September 29, 2011
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tunkhannock High School AYP Overview 2010, October 20, 2010
  14. ↑ Tunkhannock Area School District Administration, Notice to Parents regarding School Choice and AYP, August 2011
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  17. ↑ The Times-Tribune (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results".
  18. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Tunkhannock High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  21. ↑ Tunkhannock Area School District Administration (October 20, 2010). "Tunkhannock Area School District report on PSSAs 2010" (PDF).
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tunkhannock High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  23. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tunkhannock High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
  24. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tunkhannock High School Academic Achievement Report Card, 2007
  25. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  26. ↑ The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  27. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Report on PSSA Science results by school and grade 2008".
  28. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,".
  29. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  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. ↑ Tunkhannock Area School Administration, Tunkhannock Area School District Strategic plan Academic and Assessment Plan, May 06, 2009
  34. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  35. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  36. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  37. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  38. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  39. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".

External links

Coordinates: 41°32′41″N 75°57′33″W / 41.5448°N 75.9593°W