Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior/Senior High School

Allegheny-Clarion Valley Jr./Sr. High School
Address
776 State Rte.58 Richland Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Foxburg, Pennsylvania, Clarion County, Butler County, Venango County, Armstrong County 16036 United States
Information
School type	Public Public Junior/Senior High School
School district	Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District
Superintendent	Mr. David McDeavitt (July 2012-2015) salary $102,000 2013[1]
School number	(724) 659-4661
Principal	Mr. William Jordan
Head teacher	Ronald Kerlin, Athletic Director
Staff	15
Faculty	25
Employees	22 teachers in 2010
Grades	7th – 12th
Enrollment	368 pupils (2012), 472 (2009)[2] (2009-10 School Term)
• Grade 6	55 (2012)
• Grade 7	59 (2012) 65
• Grade 8	54 (2012) 74
• Grade 9	57 (2012) 89
• Grade 10	62 (2012) 72
• Grade 11	71 (2012) 83
• Grade 12	65 (2012) 89
Color(s)	Blue and White
Athletics conference	PIAA District IX /KSAC
Mascot	Falcons
Nickname	A-C Valley
Yearbook	QUADCO
Communities served	Emlenton, Foxburg, Parker, Saint Petersburg
Feeder schools	Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elementary School
Website	A-C Valley High School Website

Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior/Senior High School, or A-C Valley, is a tiny, rural, public high school near Foxburg, in southwestern Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The School had 368 students in grades 7th through 12th with 35% of the pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 12.77% of pupils received special education services and 7.6% were identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its 21 teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[3] and 40 staff Members in 2013.^[4]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 394 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 150 pupils. The school employed 21 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 18:1.^[5]

Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior Senior High School students can receive vocational training at Clarion County Career Center.

Alma Mater

The Alma Mater for A-C Valley^[6] was written by Charles Tritle:

Graduation Rate

In 2013, Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior Senior High School graduation rate was 89%.^[7] In 2012, the High School's graduation rate was 91.78%.^[8]

In 2011, Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior Senior High School graduation rate was 94%.^[9] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School's rate was 94% for 2010.^[10]

Former AYP graduation rate:

• 2010 - 95%^[11]
• 2009 - 95%^[12]
• 2008 - 91%
• 2007 - 91%^[13]

Graduation requirements

A student attending A-C Valley School District must earn 24 credits^[6] in grades 9-12 in order to graduate, as well as have completed the state-required Graduation Project and Pennsylvania Standard School Assessments (PSSA).

Credit structure

Subject area	#/Credits
English	4.0
Social Studies	3.0
Science	3.0
Mathematics	3.0
Physical Education	2.0
Health	0.5
Arts and Humanities	2.0
Electives	6.5
Total	24.0

Students must also demonstrate performance at a proficient level or above on the state assessment (PSSA) or local assessments (4Sight, Study Island) aligned with academic standards in order to graduate and participate in senior activities.^[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] At Allegheny- Clarion Valley high school the project includes: 20 hours of community service or 20 hours of job shadowing or a combination of job shadowing and community service. The project work begins in tenth grade and must be completed during the first semester of the senior year.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2015 and 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.^[16][17][18]

Academic achievement

2013 School Performance Profile

Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior/Senior High School achieved 73.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 67% were on grade level. In Algebra 1/math, 78.7% showed on grade level skills. In Biology/science, 60% showed on grade level science understanding.^[19] 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.

AYP History

In 2012, Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior/Senior High School declined Warning AYP status.^[20] In 2010 and 2011, the school achieved AYP status.^[21]

PSSA History

PSSAs are NCLB related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012. Effective with Spring 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education discontinued administering the PSSA's to 11th graders. The eighth grade and seventh grade will continue to be tested in the spring of each year. In 2010 and 2011, the school achieved AYP status.^[21]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 62% on grade level, (20% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[22]
• 2011 - 56%, (31% below basic). State - 69.1%^[23]
• 2010 - 62% (21% below basic). State - 68% (78 pupils enrolled)^[24]
• 2009 - 66%, State - 65%
• 2008 - 48%, State - 65%^[25]
• 2007 - 49%, State - 65%^[26]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 65% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[27]
• 2011 - 41% (28% below basic). State - 60.3%^[28]
• 2010 - 50% (28% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 58%. State - 56%^[29]
• 2008 - 41%. State - 56%
• 2007 - 38%. State - 54%

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 51% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[30]
• 2011 - 25% (21% below basic). State - 40%^[31]
• 2010 - 28% (7% below basic). State - 39%^[32]
• 2009 - 25%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 26%, State - 39%^[33]

Science in Motion Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior Senior High School and Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elementary 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.^[34] Clarion University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 24% of Allegheny-Clarion Valley 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.^[35] 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.^[36] 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 2013, Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 528. The Math average score was 495. The Writing average score was 488. 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.^[37]

In 2012, 34 Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 451. The Math average score was 460. The Writing average score was 448. 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, 36 students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 465. The Math average score was 485. The Writing average score was 449.^[38] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[39] 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.^[40]

Dual enrollment

The Allegheny-Clarion Valley School 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. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.^[41] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[42]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,799 for the program.^[43]

Junior High achievement

8th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 69% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.
• 2011 - 83% (6% below basic). State - 81.8%
• 2010 - 70% (9% below basic). State - 81% (71 pupils enrolled)
• 2009 - 77%, State - 80%^[44]
• 2008 - 78%, State - 78%

8th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 79% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 76%
• 2011 - 75% (14% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 - 57% (19% below basic). State - 75%
• 2009 - 67%, State - 71%^[45]
• 2008 - 56%, State - 70%^[46]

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 65% on grade level (16% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 72% (13% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 64% (18% below basic). State - 57%
• 2009 - 61%, State - 54%
• 2008 - 46%, State - 52%^[47]

7th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 73% (16% below basic). State – 76%
• 2011 - 70% (8% below basic). State – 76%
• 2010 - 73% (7% below basic). State - 73% (60 pupils enrolled)
• 2009 - 60%, State - 71%^[44]
• 2008 - 64%, State - 70%

7th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 82% (13% below basic). State - 80%
• 2011 - 83% (13% below basic). State - 78.6%
• 2010 - 76% (8% below basic). State - 77%
• 2009 - 71%, State - 75%
• 2008 - 65%, State - 70%

AP Courses

In 2013, Allegheny -Clarion Valley Junior Senior High School offered 2 Advanced Placement (AP) 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. 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 Allegheny-Clarion Valley Senior High School less than 10 students took an AP course in 2012-13.^[48]

Tuition

Students who live in the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates was High School - $8,668.89.^[49]

Wellness policy

Allegheny-Clarion Valley School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.^[50] The policy establishes two school-level advisory committees that have the responsibility of effectively and comprehensively addressing wellness, nutrition and physical activity issues at their respective levels. The Elementary School Health Advisory Committee (Grades K-6) and Secondary School Health Advisory Committee (Grades 7-12) are responsible for development, implementation and evaluation of guidelines and programs that promote healthy eating and physical activity. The policy also 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."

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 and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, 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.^[51] The policy requires that the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval. The District offers both a free school breakfast and a 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.^[52] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[53]

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.^[54] 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.^[55] In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.^[56]

Allegheny-Clarion Valley 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.^[57] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Extracurriculars

The Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. The Allegheny-Clarion Valley School Board determines eligibility policies to participate in these programs ^[58] and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The District is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website.

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.^[59]

Athletics

The District funds:

Varsity

According to PIAA directory July 2013 ^[60]

References

External links

• Official website

Coordinates: 41°08′40″N 79°40′32″W / 41.14442°N 79.67555°W / 41.14442; -79.67555