Saint Marys Area School District

Saint Marys Area School District
Address
977 S Saint Marys Rd Saint Marys, Pennsylvania, Elk County, 15857-2832 United States
Information
Type	Public
School board	9 locally elected members
Superintendent	Dr. Brian Toth
Faculty	149
Grades	K-12
Age	5 years to 21 years for special ed
Pupils	2288 (2009-10)[1]
• Kindergarten	154
• Grade 1	138
• Grade 2	147
• Grade 3	163
• Grade 4	176
• Grade 5	150
• Grade 6	194
• Grade 7	178
• Grade 8	206
• Grade 9	171
• Grade 10	179
• Grade 11	205
• Grade 12	183
• Other	Enrollment projected to be 1816 in 2019[2]
Budget	$24,339,949 in 2012
Tuition	for nonresident and charter school students ES - $6,211.51, HS - $8,419.67[3]
Website	http://www.smasd.org/

The Saint Marys Area School District is a midsized rural/suburban public school district serving parts of Elk County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses the city of St. Marys and the townships of Fox Township, Jay Township, and Benezette Township. Saint Marys Area School District encompasses approximately 341 square miles (880 km²). According to 2000 federal census data, the District serves a resident population of 20,557. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $18,669, while the median family income was $48,121.^[4] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501^[5] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.^[6]

According to District officials, in school year 2009-10 the Saint Marys Area School District provided basic educational services to 2,296 pupils through the employment of 162 teachers, 115 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 14 administrators. Saint Marys Area School District received more than $9.3 million in state funding in school year 2009-10.

The district contains five schools: Fox Elementary, Bennett's Valley Elementary, South Elementary, Saint Marys Area Middle School, and Saint Marys Area High School.

Governance

The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.^[7] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.

Academic achievement

Saint Marys Area School District was ranked 165th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2012.^[8] The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing math and science.^[9] The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

• 2011 - 133rd^[10]
• 2010 - 123rd^[11]
• 2009 - 154th
• 2008 - 189th
• 2007 - 247th out of 501 school districts.^[12]

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Saint Marys Area School District ranked 126th. In 2011, the district was 75th.^[13] The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."^[14]

In 2010 and 2011, Saint Marys Area School District achieved AYP status under the federal No Child Left Behind act.^[15] In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania Public School Districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.

Graduation rate

In 2011, the Saint Marys Area High School graduation rate was 90%.^[16] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Saint Marys High School's rate was 90% for 2010.^[17]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 91%^[18]
• 2009 - 95%^[19]
• 2008 - 86%^[20]
• 2007 - 86%^[21]

High school

Saint Marys Area High School is located at 977 S Saint Marys Rd, Saint Marys. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 781 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 208 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 51 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.^[22] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 4 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[23]

In 2011, Saint Marys Area High School declined to Warning status due to lagging student achievement in reading and math. In 2010, the high school achieved AYP status.^[24]

11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 65% on grade level, (18% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[25]
• 2010 - 75% (11% below basic). State - 66%^[26]
• 2009 - 70% (13% below basic). State - 65%^[27]
• 2008 - 74% (13% below basic). State - 65%^[28]
• 2007 - 76% (11% below basic). State - 65%^[29]

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 57% on grade level (14% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[30]
• 2010 - 72% (15% below basic). State - 59%^[31]
• 2009 - 70% (10% below basic). State - 56%.^[32]
• 2008 - 64% (13% below basic). State - 56%^[33]
• 2007 - 59% (15% below basic). State - 53%^[34]

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 42% on grade level (9% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[35]
• 2010 - 46% (7% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 47% (10% below basic). State - 40%^[36]
• 2008 - 51% (6% below basic). State - 39%^[37]

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 15% of the Saint Marys 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.^[38] 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.^[39] 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

Saint Marys Area 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.^[40] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[41] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $9,348 for the program.^[42]

Graduation requirements

The Saint Marys Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24.25 credits to graduate, including: Mathematics 4 credits, English (reading, writing) 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 3 credits, Arts and Humanities, including speech 2.5 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Health 0.5 credit, Personal Development 0.5 credit, Classroom Drivers Ed .25 credit, and electives 4.5 credits. Each student is required to carry a minimum of seven credits per academic year and complete specific curriculum requirements. Students are ability grouped in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies so that they may achieve their maximum academic potential. Credits earned in the eighth grade or earlier are not counted towards the credits required for graduation from the senior high school; however, an eighth grade credit in German, Spanish or Algebra meets the prerequisite requirements for German 2, Spanish 2, or Algebra 2.

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.^[43] At Saint Marys Area High School students complete a career exploration portfolio, including a Personal Development Class in 9th grade, a research paper on higher education institutions and career interests and a School-to-Work/Co-Op experience or the Career Exploration/Service Learning program in the junior year.^[44] This process addresses the state's Career Education and Work Standards.^[45]

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.^[46][47][48] 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.^[49] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 110 students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 454.^[50] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[51] 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.^[52]

Middle school

Saint Marys Area Middle School is located at 979 S Saint Marys Road, Saint Marys. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 530 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 199 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 35teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.^[53] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 8 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[54]

In 2010 and 2011, Saint Marys Area Middle School achieved AYP status.^[55]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 94% on grade level 64% advanced (1% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.^[56]
• 2010 - 88%, 58% advanced (4% below basic). State - 81%
• 2009 - 91%, 63% advanced (5% below basic), State - 80%
• 2008 - 81%, 53% advanced (6% below basic), State - 78%^[57]
• 2007 - 84% (5% below basic), State - 75%

8th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 92% on grade level, 59% advanced (1% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 - 89%, 61% advanced (2% below basic). State - 75%^[58]
• 2009 - 88%, 56% advanced (2% below basic). State - 71%^[59]
• 2008 - 86%, 56% advanced (6% below basic). State - 70%
• 2007 - 87% (5% below basic). State - 68%

8th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 69% on grade level (11% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 67% (12% below basic). State – 57%^[60]
• 2009 - 72% (10% below basic). State - 55%^[61]
• 2008 - 65% (11% below basic). State - 52%^[62]
• 2007 - tested, but results not made public.

7th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 78% on grade level (7% below basic). State – 76%
• 2010 - 83% (4% below basic). State - 73%
• 2009 - 73% (6% below basic). State - 71%
• 2008 - 91% (2% below basic). State - 70%
• 2007 - 68% (14% below basic). State - 67%

7th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 88% on grade level (3% below basic). State - 78.6%
• 2010 - 92% (3% below basic). State - 77%
• 2009 - 92% (3% below basic), State - 75%
• 2008 - 76% (9% below basic), State - 71%
• 2007 - 86% (3% below basic), State - 67%

6th Grade Reading:

• 2011 - 71% (10% below basic). State - 69.9%
• 2010 - 68% (14% below basic). State - 68%
• 2009 - 79% (6% below basic), State - 67%
• 2008 - 83% (2% below basic), State - 67%
• 2007 - 62% (12% below basic), State - 63%

6th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 84% on grade level 53% advanced (5% below basic). State - 78.8%
• 2010 - 84%, 57% advanced (2% below basic). State - 78%
• 2009 - 89%, 67% advanced (1% below basic), State - 75%
• 2008 - 65% (10% below basic), State - 72%
• 2007 - 79% (6% below basic), State - 69%

Elementary schools

Bennetts Valley Elementary School is located at Route 255, Weedville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 125 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 56 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 9.90 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12.63:1.^[63] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[64] In 2010 and 2011, Bennetts Valley Elementary School achieved AYP status.^[65] In 2011, only 71% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In math, 85% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 47% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 80% of the pupils were on grade level, which lagged the statewide level of 83% on grade level.^[66]

Fox Elementary School is located at 376 Main Street, Kersey. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 233 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 101 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 15 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.^[67] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[68] In 2010 and 2011, Fox Elementary School achieved AYP status.^[69] In 2011, only 83% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In math, 95% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 71% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 93% of the pupils were on grade level, with 52% advanced.^[70]

South Saint Marys Street Elementary School is located at South Saint Marys Street, Saint Marys. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 619 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 241 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 38 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 16:1.^[71] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[72] In 2011, South St Marys Street Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging reading skills of its students. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind.^[73] In 2011, only 70% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In math, 90% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 62% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 88% of the pupils were on grade level.^[74]

References

1. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment and Projections by LEA, 2010
2. Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2009). "Enrollment and Projections by school district".
3. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tuition rates per LEA, 2011
4. US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
5. US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts".
6. US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
7. Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
8. Pittsburgh Business Times (April 6, 2012). "Guide to Pennsylvania Schools Statewide ranking".
9. "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2012". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 5, 2012.
10. "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2011". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 2011.
11. Pittsburgh Business Times (April 30, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2010".
12. "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007.
13. Pittsburgh Business Times, Statewide Overachivers Ranking Information, April 6, 2012
14. "Overachiever statewide ranking". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 6, 2010.
15. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Saint Marys Area School District AYP overview, September 29, 2011
16. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Saint Marys Area School District AYP Data Table".
17. Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
18. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Saint Marys Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card Data table".
19. The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
20. The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
21. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
22. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data - Saint Marys Area High School, 2010
23. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Saint Marys Area High School, September 29, 2011
24. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Saint Marys Area High School Academic Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
25. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
26. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
27. The Times-Tribune (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results".
28. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
29. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
30. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Saint Marys Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
31. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Saint Marys Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, October 20, 2010
32. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Saint Marys Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
33. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Saint Marys Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
34. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Saint Marys Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card, 2007
35. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
36. The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
37. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Report on PSSA Science results by school and grade 2008".
38. Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,".
39. National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
40. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
41. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
42. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Dual Enrollment Grants 2009 10 Fall Grants by School District".
43. Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
44. Saint Marys Area School District Administration, Program of studies, 2012
45. Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 8, 2006). "Career Education & Work Academic Standards: Crosswalks".
46. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
47. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
48. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
49. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
50. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
51. College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
52. "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
53. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Saint Marys Area Middle School, 2010
54. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Saint Marys Area Middle School, September 29, 2011
55. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Saint Marys Area Middle School AYP Overview, April 6, 2011
56. Pennsylvania Department of education (September 29, 2011). "Saint Marys Area Middle School Academic report Card 2011" (PDF).
57. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "Reading and Math PSSA 2008 by Schools".
58. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (September 14, 2010). "2010 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing Results".
59. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
60. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2010). "Science PSSA 2010 by Schools".
61. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2009). "Science PSSA 2009 by Schools".
62. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 15, 2008). "Science PSSA 2008 by Schools".
63. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Bennetts Valley Elementary School, 2010
64. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Bennetts Valley Elementary School, September 29, 2011
65. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bennetts Valley Elementary School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
66. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Bennetts Valley Elementary School Report Card 2011" (PDF).
67. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Fox Elementary School, 2010
68. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Fox Elementary School, September 29, 2011
69. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Fox Elementary School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
70. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Fox Elementary School Report Card 2011" (PDF).
71. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – South Saint Marys Street Elementary School, 2010
72. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers South Saint Marys Street Elementary School, September 29, 2011
73. Pennsylvania Department of Education, South St Marys Street Elementary School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
74. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "South Saint Marys Street Elementary School Report Card 2011".