Valley View High School (Pennsylvania)

Valley View High School
Address
1 Columbus Drive
Archbald, Pennsylvania, Lackawanna County 18403
United States
Information
School type Secondary
Established 1969
School district Valley View School District
Superintendent Donald Kanavy[1] contract (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2016) Salary $103,000 (2012), $105,575 (2013)
Principal Peter Chapla $87,500 (2013)[2]
Grades 9th-12th
Enrollment

800 pupils (2014) [3]
848 (2010)[4]

825 (2006)[5]
 • Grade 9 205 (2013),[6] 214 (2010)[4]
 • Grade 10 203 (2013), 213
 • Grade 11 194 (2013), 225
 • Grade 12 203 (2013), 202 (2010)
Color(s) Blue, Gold, and White
              
Mascot Cougar
Feeder schools Valley View Middle School
Information 570-876-4110
Website http://www.valleyviewsd.org/Domain/49

Valley View High School is a rural public high school located in Archbald, Pennsylvania. It is the sole high school operated by the Valley View School District. In 2014, enrollment was reported as 800 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 27% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 11.7% of pupils received special education services, while 2.6% of pupils were identified as gifted.[7] The school employed 52 teachers.[8] Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Valley View High School has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. Valley View HIgh School is not a federally designated Title I school.

Valley View High School students may choose to attend the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTCLC) for training in the construction and mechanical trades. The Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit IU19 provides the school with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, background checks for employees, state mandated recognizing and reporting child abuse training, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, the Valley View High School reported an enrollment of 825 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 210 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2012, Valley View HIgh School employed 52 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 15:1.[9] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[10]

History

The Valley View School District was established in 1969 after the schools of Archbald, Blakely, and Jessup decided to combine and form a larger school. A contest was held to name the school throughout Archbald and Blakely. The cougar was chosen as the mascot and the colors became blue, gold, and white.

Graduation rate

In 2014, the District’s graduation rate was 96.9.[11]

Under prior calculation methods:

Academics

2014 School Performance Profile

Valley View High School achieved 92.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 80% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 64% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, just 77% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[20][21] Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.[22]

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.[23] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[24][25]

2013 School Performance Profile

Valley View High School achieved 88.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 84% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 74% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, only 67% showed on grade level science understanding.[26] 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, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.[27]

AYP history

In 2012, Valley View High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP status due to lagging achievement in mathematics.[28] In 2011, Valley View High School achieved AYP status. From 2004 to 2010, Valley View High School achieved AYP status each school year. In 2003, Valley View High School was in Warning AYP status due to low math achievement.

PSSA Results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was 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 Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. 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]

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

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 25% of Valley View 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.[44][45] 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.[46][47] 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 Valley View School Board has determined that students must earn 28 credits to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Math 3 credits, Science 3 credits, Health & Physical Education 2.8 credits, Practical Arts &/or Humanities 2 credits and 8 electives.[48]

For nearly two decades, 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.[49] 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.[50]

By Pennsylvania State 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 respective Keystone Exams for each course.[51] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[52]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.[53][54] 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.[55] 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.[56] 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.

Dual enrollment

Valley View School District offers a dual enrollment program. Dual Enrollment is a state education program which allows high school students to attend Pennsylvania colleges and universities while remaining enrolled at their high school. The credits students earn count towards both: high school graduation and earn college credits. Colleges offer the credits at a deeply discounted rate. Students have full access to their high school's extracurricular programs and participate in the high school's graduation event. Using Pennsylvania's PATRAC system, students identify PA colleges and universities that have agreed to accept these credits.[57] Valley View School District received a state grant of $12,413 to assist students with the cost of books, tuition and fees.[58] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.

SAT scores

In 2014, 161 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 498. The Writing average score was 487.[59][60] 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.[61] In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.

In 2013, 163 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 492. The Math average score was 508. The Writing average score was 481. 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.[62]

In 2012, 151 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 486. The Math average score was 496. The Writing average score was 484. 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, 152 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 484. The Math average score was 505. The Writing average score was 471.[63] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal – 493, Math – 501, Writing – 479.[64] 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.[65]

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 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.[66]

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.

AP Courses

In 2014, Valley View High School offered 4 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).[67] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. 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 Valley View School District the AP courses are weighted.[68] At Valley View High School just 14% of the students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[69] In 2013, 11% of the students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.

Extracurricular activities

The school has numerous clubs including the ski club, SADD, PTSA, chess club, drama club, Future Business Leaders of America, Leo Club, as well as Spanish, French, and Italian clubs. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies. 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.[70][71][72]

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.[73][74][75]

Music, drama, and the arts are very prominent at Valley View. Many students have participated in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) festivals and have won music awards. The school is known for its excellent spring musicals.

Athletics

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.[76]

Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012–13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beginning with the 2013–14 school year, all non-school (booster club and alumni) contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.[77]

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.[78][79]

Varsity

Middle School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2015[80]

Valley View's athletic teams have a long history of achievement on the local and state levels. Most recently, the Valley View Lady Cougars softball team won the 2013 Class AAA state championship at State College against Fort LeBoeuf under head coach EJ Weston. This championship marked the culmination of a 20-0 season and earned the Lady Cougars a 27th national ranking. The girls' softball team was also state champion in 2000 under coach James Delonti. The school's football team was state champion in 1992 under coaches Frank Pazzaglia and Tom Krempasky. The boys' basketball team was state runner-up in 1996 under coach Frank Nicolosi. The school's girls' basketball team was state runner-up in 1986 under coach Lou Camoni. The girls' soccer team has won four district championships and the boys' soccer team captured their own district championship in 2006. In 2010, the Valley View Cougars football team beat the Berwick Bulldogs 35-21 to capture the Eastern Conference Class AAA Championship. The school also has dedicated baseball, swimming/diving, and track and field teams.

Football is a cherished tradition at Valley View and in 2004 the school spent nearly $4 million to update its football stadium in Peckville, Pennsylvania and add new track and field facilities to the campus in Archbald. The football field surface was changed from grass to artificial turf, the bleachers were changed from wood to metal, the surrounding gravel parking lot was paved, and the concession stands were completely rebuilt and repositioned. The renovations allowed for more parking and a bigger seating area for spectators.

All of Valley View's football games plus a select number of soccer, basketball, baseball and softball games are broadcast over the Internet on the Cougar Sports Network which can be found at VVCougars.com.

Valley View High School is referenced numerous times in the U.S television series '"The Office." Prominent characters Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson), and Meredith Palmer (Kate Flannery) are alumni of Valley View. A fictionalized version of the school's gymnasium served as host of a job fair in the fourth season episode "Job Fair." Also, a Cougar football helmet is featured in several episodes. Valley View High School also appears on Pam's resume in season nine episode, "Moving On."

Prominent alumni

References

  1. ↑ "Administration & School Board". Valley View School District. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  2. ↑ PDE, ED NAmes and Addresses, 2015
  3. ↑ PDE (November 4, 2014). "Valley View HIgh School Fast Facts 2014".
  4. 1 2 PDE, Enrollment by LEA 2010, 2011
  5. ↑ PDE, Enrollment by LEA 2006, 2007
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment by LEA 2013, 2013
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (December 4, 2014). "Valley View High School Fast Facts 2014".
  8. ↑ U.S. News & World Report, Best High Schools, 2014
  9. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core Data – Valley View High School, 2013
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers High School 2012, September 21, 2012
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Graduation rate by LEA, 2014
  12. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Graduation rate by LEA, 2013
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Valley View School District AYP Data Table 2012".
  14. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Valley View School District AYP Data Table 2011, September 29, 2011
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Valley View School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 data table, April 26, 2011
  17. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Valley View School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  18. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "Lackawana County Graduation Rates 2008".
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. "High School Graduation rate 2007". Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "Valley View High School Academic Performance Data 2014".
  21. ↑ Evamarie Socha (November 6, 2014). "Half of Valley districts see state test scores decline". The Daily Item.
  22. ↑ Eleanor Chute (November 21, 2014). "Pennsylvania student scores declined with reduced funding, test results show". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  23. ↑ Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education Announces Results of 2013–14 School Performance Profile; Strong Performance in 72 Percent of Schools, November 6, 2014
  24. ↑ Kathy Boccella; Dylan Purcell & Kristen A. Graham (November 6, 2014). "Pa. school rankings: Downingtown STEM No. 1; Phila. falters". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  25. ↑ Jan Murphy (November 6, 2014). "More Pa. school scores decline than improve, state report card shows". Pennlive.com.
  26. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Valley View High School Academic Performance Data 2013, October 4, 2013
  27. ↑ Eleanor Chute & Mary Niederberger (December 11, 2013). "New assessment shows fuller picture of Pa. schools". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  28. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Valley View High School AYP Overview 2012".
  29. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Academic Standards".
  30. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Assessment System".
  31. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  32. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  33. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 20, 2010). "2010 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  34. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 14, 2010). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  35. ↑ "The 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading School Level Proficiency Results (by Grade and School Total)". August 2008.
  36. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "PSSA Math and Reading results by School and Grade 2007".
  37. ↑ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  38. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Valley View High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  39. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Valley View Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, February 2011
  40. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Valley View High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, September 14, 2009
  41. ↑ "Math PSSA Scores by District 2007–08 Valley View School District Results". The Times-Tribune. June 25, 2009.
  42. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Valley View High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012" (PDF).
  43. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  44. ↑ Jan Murphy (January 30, 2009). "Report: One-third of local high schoolers unprepared for college". Pennlive.com.
  45. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report 2009".
  46. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  47. ↑ Achieve.org (2014). "THE VALUE OF THE COLLEGE- AND CAREER-READY AGENDA IN PENNSYLVANIA" (PDF).
  48. ↑ Valley View School Board and Administration (April 26, 2011). "Valley View High School Graduation requirements".
  49. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code § 4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  50. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  51. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  52. ↑ Megan Harris (September 12, 2013). "Pennsylvania changing high school graduation requirements". Tribune Live.
  53. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  54. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  55. ↑ 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
  56. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  57. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center".
  58. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "PA Dual Enrollment School District Grants 2010–11".
  59. ↑ PDE, School Performance profile, November 6, 2014
  60. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "SAT and ACT Scores".
  61. ↑ College Board (2014). "2014 College-Bound Seniors State Profile Report" (PDF).
  62. ↑ College Board (2013). "The 2013 SAT Report on College & Career Readiness".
  63. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  64. ↑ College Board (September 15, 2011). "SAT Scores State By State – Pennsylvania".
  65. ↑ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 15, 2011.
  66. ↑ The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (August 2006). "SAT Scores and Other School Data".
  67. ↑ College Board (2014). "Exam Fees and Reductions: 2015".
  68. ↑ Valley View School District Administration, Advanced Placement Courses information for Parents and Students, 2013
  69. ↑ PDE, School Performance Profile – Academic Performance Data – Valley View High School, December 2014
  70. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities,".
  71. ↑ Valley View School Board (June 21, 2010). "Participation In Extracurricular Participation By Home Education Students Policy 137.1".
  72. ↑ Valley View School Board (June 21, 2010). "Participation In Extracurricular Participation By Charter/Cyber Charter Students Policy 140.1".
  73. ↑ Eleanor Chute., New Pa. law expands clearance requirements for school volunteers, employees, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 15, 2014
  74. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly (2014). "ACT 126 – Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act".
  75. ↑ Ali Stevens., Child Protective Services Law impacts schools, WKOK.com 1070AM, January 6, 2015
  76. ↑ Valley View School Board, Valley View School District Teacher Union Contract, 2014
  77. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form" (PDF).
  78. ↑ PA General Assembly (July 1, 2012). "Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011 Safety in Youth Sports Act".
  79. ↑ UMPC Sports Medicine (2014). "Managing Concussions in Student Athletes: The Safety in Youth Sports Act".
  80. ↑ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2015). "PIAA School Directory".

Coordinates: 41°29′57″N 75°33′27″W / 41.4992°N 75.5575°W / 41.4992; -75.5575

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.