McKeesport Area High School

McKeesport Area High School
Location
1960 Eden Park Blvd, McKeesport, Pennsylvania Coordinates: 40°20′38″N 79°49′53″W / 40.343843°N 79.831315°W / 40.343843; -79.831315
Information
Type Public
Established 1884
School district McKeesport Area School District
Principal Mr. Mark P. Holtzman
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 1280 (2009-10)
Color(s) Red and Blue
Mascot Tiger
Information (412) 664-3650
Website McKeesport Area High School

McKeesport Area High School is a public high school located in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

The school, which is located at 1960 Eden Park Boulevard, serves students from Dravosburg, McKeesport, South Versailles, Versailles, and White Oak.

The school is a member of The Consortium for Public Education; which is a member of the Public Education Network.

McKeesport Area High School

When this new high school was completed in September 1961, the School Board named it McKeesport Senior High School. From 1967 until 1983, the building was known as McKeesport Area Senior High School whereupon the "senior" was dropped in 1984. From 1984 until now, it has been known as McKeesport Area High School.

The high school became a Grade 9-12 building with the start of the 1979-1980 school year. In 2003-2004, new additions to the high school building provided room for the five remaining vocational/technical classes that were previously housed at North Hall. Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Building Construction, Auto Body, and Auto Mechanics are now all a part of the comprehensive high school that offers its entire academic and vocational/technical curriculum under one roof.

Highlights of the high school project included a modern Tiger Inn restaurant for the culinary arts program, new cosmetology labs, an expanded graphic occupations department, modern office areas for the vocational/technical program, and an expanded physical fitness area, along with, much needed, additional classroom space.

Upgrades were also made to the Weigle-Schaeffer Tiger Stadium that features a new artificial grass field, and an updated all weather track that includes specialized areas to conduct field events.

Academic achievement

The high school ranks 113th of 123 high school in western Pennsylvania for academic achievement based on three years of PSSA results on: math, reading, writing and one year of science, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in May 2009.[1]

In 2009, the high school is in Corrective Action II 3rd Year for poor academic achievement.

Graduation rate
2009 - 87% [2]
2008 - 87%
2007 - 87%[3]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2009 - 49% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.[4]
2008 - 51%, State - 65%[5]
2007 - 36%, State - 65%[6]

11th Grade Math:
2009 - 23% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2008 - 29%, State - 56%
2007 - 19%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science:
2009 - 8% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2008 - 12%, State Avg. - 39%

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 48% of the McKeesport Area 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.[7] 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.[8] 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.

Dual enrollment

The 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 at their high school. 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.[9] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[10]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $27,646 for the program.[11]

Graduation project

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.[12]

McKeesport Area Technology Center Programs

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports.

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.[13]

Athletics

McKeesport Area High School competes in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). It also is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL).

Athletic championships

Organizations and activities

The school's numerous and varied organizations include:

History

The very first building to be designated solely as a high school in McKeesport was located on Shaw Ave. In 1916, McKeesport Technical High School, also known as "Tech High" opened on 1600 Cornell St. (back then, it was just a part of the Evans Family Homestead). In 1961, the high school was relocated to its current location. The new building was adjacent to the McKeesport Vocational School located on 3600 O'Neil Boulevard. The two buildings were used jointly for a variety of high school coursework. In 2000, the 1960 Eden Park Blvd. building (also known as "South Hall") housed all 9-12 grade non-vocational classes. In 2003, additions to the physical plant enabled the vocational programs to also relocate. "North Hall" was renamed Founders' Hall and housed 7-8 grade.

The school has been named McKeesport High School, McKeesport Technical High School, McKeesport Senior High School, McKeesport Area Senior High School, and its current name, McKeesport Area High School.

Notable alumni

Alma mater

The Red & Blue"

Hail, Alma Mater's colors proudly flying,
Red and Blue, we pledge to thee our love
Dearer to us than crimson's deep or purple.
Guide of our way, as true as stars above.

Chorus:
Though some love the blue and gray,
And others a gleam of gold;
The flash of the green or silvery sheen,
Displayed when the flags unfold:
Whatever the shade may be
That keeps others brave and true:
Though colors are many - You'll not find that any
Compare with the Red and Blue!

Emblem we love, thy colors softly blended,
Speak of the life that all our sons must share;
Red for the sun whose beams are shining on us,
Blue for the sky, so bright and so fair.

(Chorus)

References

  1. ↑ Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools - 11th grade Rankings, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009
  2. ↑ McKeesport Area High School District AYP Report Card 2009 http://paayp.emetric.net/Content/reportcards/RC09D103026002.PDF
  3. ↑ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children - High School graduation rates 2007
  4. ↑ Clairton City High School Report Card 2009
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Results Math and Reading Report 2008
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Results Math and Reading 2007 by School and Grade
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania College Remediation Report http://www.scribd.com/doc/23970364/Pennsylvania-College-Remediation-Report
  8. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education - Dual Enrollment Guidelines.
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement. site accessed March 2010. http://www.patrac.org/
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Dual Enrollment Fall Grants 2009-10. August 2009
  12. ↑ Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements
  13. ↑ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
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