Lewisburg Area High School

School District region in Union County

Lewisburg Area High School is a small rural/suburban public school located in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania. It is the sole high school operated by the Lewisburg Area School District. Lewisburg Area High School serves: Lewisburg Borough, Kelly Township, East Buffalo Township and Union Township that collectively have a population of 19,173 people according to the 2010 US Census. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 559 students in grades nine through twelve. In 2013, 11% of the students were gifted. Additionally, 8% were identified as special needs and 16% were from low income families. In 2012, Lewisburg Area HIgh School employed 42 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.^[5] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of fits teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[6]

In addition to the traditional bricks-and-mortar format, the School offers a cyber school called Blended Academy, alternative education and technology and job skills training at SUN Area Technology Institute.

Lewisburg Area High School has been considered to be among the top performing high schools in the four county region. This is demonstrated in student SAT scores that are higher than state or national averages. Lewisburg Area High School eleventh grades scored in the top 16% on the Math PSSA’s in 2006. Reading PSSA scores were in the top 9% in the state in 2006. In 2013, Lewisburg Area High School was not listed in the top high schools in the nation or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.^[7]

Graduation Rate

In 2015, Lewisburg Area School District's graduation rate was 95%.^[8]

• 2014 - 94.8%.^[9]
• 2013 - 95.86%.
• 2012 - 93%^[10]
• 2011 - 96.9%^[11]
• 2010 - 95%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate.^[12]

Former AYP graduation rate:

• 2010 - 98% ^[13]
• 2009 - 98% ^[14]
• 2008 - 98%
• 2007 - 95% ^[15]
• 2006 - 95%

Curriculum

In 2014, Lewisburg Area High School offered 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. In 2013, 76% of the students who took an AP course at Lewisburg Area High School achieved a 3 or better on the exam.^[16] 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.

In 2013, Lewisburg Area High School offered 13 Advanced Placement Courses 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. In 2013, 88% of the students who took an AP course at Lewisburg Area High School achieved a 3 or better on the exam. In 2014, Geisinger Health System Foundation announced donating $10,000 to the Green Dragon Fund. The money was earmarked to defray the cost of offering AP courses and to help students pay for the exams.^[17]

Lewisburg High School was named a high performing high school by U.S. News & World Report in December 2008. The school was identified as a Silver level school for academic programs and student achievement.^[18]

In 2005, LAHS was ranked 30th out of 601 PA high schools for test scores on PSSAs. In 2006, LAHS was ranked 71st out of 609 high schools in Pennsylvania.^[19]

In April 2013, Lewisburg High School students placed second at the highly prestigious Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge, defeating previous national champions, private boarding academies, and international schools.^[20]

Academic achievement

2015 School Performance Profile

Lewisburg Area High School achieved an SPP of 78.9 out of 100. The PDE reported that 87.8% of the High School’s students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 86.9% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 85% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.^[21] Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.^[22][23]

2014 School Performance Profile

Lewisburg Area High School achieved 78.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 82% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 77% showed on grade level skills at the end of the class. In Biology, 81% showed on grade level science understanding.^[24] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.^[25] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A few schools scores remained unchanged.^[26]

2013 School Performance Profile

In 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education began a new school reporting system called School Performance Profiles. Lewisburg Area High School achieved 77.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 85% were on grade level. In Algebra 1 70.8% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 76.67% showed on grade level science understanding.^[27]

AYP History

In 2003 through 2012, the Lewisburg Area High School achieved AYP status under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[28]

PSSA Scores

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs, are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012. The eleventh grade students were tested in reading, writing, mathematics and science (started in 2007). In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the PSSAs were given in 1999. The NCLB goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[29]

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.^[30]

Reading (percent proficient or better)

• 2002: 81% on grade level, State - 59%
• 2003: 88%, State - 59.2%
• 2004: 83%, State - 60.8%
• 2005: 84.9%, State - 65.1% ^[31]
• 2006: 82%, State - 65.1% ^[32]
• 2007: 84.6%, State - 65.4% ^[33]
• 2008: 88.9%, State - 64.7% ^[34]
• 2009: 84%, State - 65.6% ^[35]
• 2010: 89%, State - 66% ^[36]
• 2011 - 85.7% on grade level, (59.4% Advanced). Ranked 1st among CSIU16 region 11th grades. In Pennsylvania 69% of 11th graders were reading on grade level.^[37]
• 2012 - 88% on grade level (63% Advanced). Ranked 2nd among CSIU16 region 11th grades. In Pennsylvania 67% of 11th graders were reading on grade level.

Math (percent proficient or better)

• 2002: 58% on grade level, State - 50%
• 2003: 64%, State - 49.1%
• 2004: 69%, State - 49.1%
• 2005: 68%, State - 51%
• 2006: 67%, State - 52%
• 2007: 69.8%, State - 53.7%^[15]
• 2008: 76%, State - 56% ^[34]
• 2009: 74%, State - 56% ^[35]
• 2010: 77%, State - 59% ^[38]
• 2011 - 77% (42% Advanced). Ranks 2nd among High Schools in CSIU16 region 11th grades. State - 60% of 11th graders were on grade level in math.
• 2012 - 78% on grade level, (45% Advanced). Ranks 2nd among High Schools in CSIU16 region 11th grades. State - 59% of 11th graders were on grade level in math.

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 83% on grade level. Boys - 85% | Girls - 81%. State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level. Ranked 1st among public High Schools in CSIU16 region.^[39]
• 2011 - 73% on grade level. State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level. Ranked 1st among High Schools in CSIU16 region.^[40]
• 2010 - 71%. State - 40%. Ranked 1st in CSIU16 region.^[41] In 2010 - 75% of Males scored advanced and proficient in 11th grade science. 67% of Females scored advanced and proficient.
• 2009 - 74%, State - 40%.^[42]
• 2008 - 68% (37% Advanced). State - 39%

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 7% of Lewisburg 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.^[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.

SAT Scores

In 2014, Lewisburg area School District's Verbal Average Score was 549. The Math average score was 552. The Writing average score was 522. Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.^[45]

In 2013, Lewisburg Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 555.85. The Math average score was 551. The Writing average score was 536.55. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.^[46]

In 2012, Lewisburg Area School District 117 students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 546. The Math average score was 546. The Writing average score was 528. 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, 130 Lewisburg Area High School students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 546. The Math average score was 536. The Writing average score was 516.^[47] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[48] 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.^[49]

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Lewisburg Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 27 credits to graduate. They include: English 4.0 (1 credit in each Grade 9-12), Social Studies 4.0 (1 credit each year 9-12), Science 4.0 (1 credit each Grade 9-12), Math 4.0 (1 credit each Grade 9-12), Arts and/or Humanities 2.0, Health .5, Physical Education 2.0 (.5 credit in each Grade 9-12), Electives 6.5.^[50]

Students are also required to complete the Pennsylvania state-mandated "Graduation Project."^[51] At LEHS a minimum of 65 hours must be spent on the student's project. The work is done independently. 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.^[52]

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.^[53] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.^[54]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.^[55][56] 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.^[57] 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.^[58] 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.

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math), along with other specialized equipment and provided funding for teacher training to optimize the use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Lewisburg Area School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the District received $184,892. The District received $45,413 in extra state funding in 2008-09.^[59] In 2010 the grants were discontinued by Governor Edward G. Rendelll in the state budget process.

School safety and bullying

The Lewisburg Area School District administration reported there were two incidents of bullying in the Lewisburg High School in 2012. There were no sexual incidents involving students reported. Additionally, there was one incident of assault on a student. The local law enforcement was involved in 10 incidents at the schools.^[60][61] Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online. LHS uses the Olweus Bullying Prevention model.

The Lewisburg Area School Board has provided the District's antibully policy online.^[62] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.^[63] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.^[64][65]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.^[66]

Wellness policy

Lewisburg Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006.^[67] 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.^[68]

The District offers students attending Lewisburg Area High School both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children from 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.^[69] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[70]

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.^[71] 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.^[72] In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.^[73]

Lewisburg Area School District provides health services to students attending Lewisburg High School as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. A nurse is available in the 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.^[74] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Lewisburg Area High School 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.^[75]

New building plan

The Lewisburg Area School Board approved by an 8-1 vote construction of a $30 million, 182,481-square-foot high school and extensive sports facility complex on the Newman Farm property located in Kelly Township.^[76] When opposition from various community groups and individuals arose an extensive debate ensued in the press and in school district public meetings. The Superintendent offered a justification of his plans.^[77] Lewisburg Area School District has a Master Facilities Plan developed to justify the high school building project and to satisfy state school building PLANCON regulations.^[78]

In February 2014, the School Board approved a bond resolution to borrow $35.7 million, at an interest rate of 3.8 percent, for a new high school campus.^[79]

Enrollment

Lewisburg Area High School have experienced a decline of enrollment since 2006. The class of 2006 had 153 members. The Class of 2013 had 137 members. The Class of 2014 has 124 members.^[80][81]

From 2000 through 2010, rural Pennsylvania public school district enrollment has decreased by 8 percent.^[82] In 2010, there were 726,417 children in rural Pennsylvania, or 21 percent of the total rural population. From 2000 to 2010, the number of children in rural counties decreased 7 percent. The decline in the number of children impacted most rural counties with 42 of Pennsylvania’s 48 rural counties experiencing a decline. Cameron County, Elk County and Sullivan County experienced the greatest declines, with a decrease of more than 21 percent in all three counties. Union County's live birth rate in 2011 was 396 babies, while in 1990 it was 414 live births.^[83] Over the past 50 years (1960 to 2010), rural Pennsylvania saw a steady decline in both the number and proportion of residents under 18 years old. In 1960, 1.06 million rural residents, or 35 percent of the rural population, were children.

Student activities

A wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly athletics program are offered to Lewisburg Area School District students. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policy.^[84] The District is a member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference. The district administration played a leading role in founding the PHAC in Fall 2008.^[85] In 2012 the Board raised the fee to participate in sports - $25 per sport or other activity with an additional $25 for each additional activity/sport. Students who qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch are charged a much lesser fee. The fees are for activities and sports provided to grades sixth and higher.^[86] In 2013, the District reported spending over $677,885 on student activities.^[87]

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.^[88]

Music programs include band, choir, and orchestra with several ensemble groups. A fall play and spring musical are staged each year.

Sports

LASD is a founding member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference ^[89] for all athletics and participates under the rules and guidelines of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. 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.^[90]

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.^[91]

The District funds:

According to PIAA directory July 2012 ^[92]

Faculty

The students are served by 42 unionized faculty. All of the faculty are considered highly qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act. A variety of classified staff provide classroom support, clerical services, grounds and building services and food services.

Internet Access Policy

As of 2009, the school has implemented a strict policy with regards to student internet access. The school administration took steps to block many popular websites—some worth blocking (such as social networking sites) and some with educational merit. The policies sparked controversy in the high school and in Lewisburg as a whole. The administration stated that the polices stem from stipulations attached to their Classrooms for the Future grant, which allowed it to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on MacBook laptop computers. Local taxpayer advocates criticized the grants, which Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell gave to school districts across the state. Opponents of the policy argue that this excuse only justifies the blocking of social networking sites and not sites with potential educational value such as YouTube and Google Docs. The administration has, as of the end of the 2010-2011 school year, dodged questions about the policy and tensions between the student-teacher community and administration are high.^[93]

External links

• Lewisburg Area School District
• Lewisburg Area School District report card
• SUN Area Technical Institute

References

Union County, Pennsylvania Schools Main School Districts Lewisburg Area Lewisburg Area High School Donald H Eichhorn Middle School Mifflinburg Area Mifflinburg Area High School Mifflinburg Area Middle School Other Schools Milton Area (partially located in Northumberland County) Milton Area High School Milton Middle School Warrior Run (partially located in Northumberland and Montour Counties) Warrior Run High School Warrior Run Middle School Career and Technology School (VoTech) SUN Area Technical Institute

Coordinates: 40°57′36″N 76°53′28″W / 40.9601°N 76.8911°W / 40.9601; -76.8911