West York Area High School

West York Area School District
Address
1800 Bannister Street
York, Pennsylvania, York County, 17404-4917
United States
Information
Type Public
School board 9 locally elected members
Superintendent

Dr. Emilie M. Lonardi (2012-)

Paula Rudy, Asst Superintendent (June 2014-)
School number 717) 845-6634
Principal May, Janet, salary $122,109 (2012)
Faculty 70 teachers[1]
Grades 9-12
Age 14 to 21
Pupils 964 in 2011[2]
 • Grade 9 234
 • Grade 10 233
 • Grade 11 231
 • Grade 12 244
Website http://highschool.wyasd.k12.pa.us/

West York Area High School is a high school located at 1800 Bannister Street, York in York County in south central Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the high school reported an enrollment of 952 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 255 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 71 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[3] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one teacher was rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[4]

Part of the West York Area School District, the school houses grades nine through twelve. The high school operates on a two-semester, four-period-a-day (80 minutes) block schedule. Students may attend the local technical school or specialized center on a part-time basis. Career internships and diversified occupations programs are available for seniors. In order to advance from grades 9 through 12, the following minimum credit levels must be earned: 10th - 6 credits, 11th - 13 credits, and in 12th - 20.5 credits.

Graduation rate

In 2012, the graduation rate at West York Area High School was 88%.[5] In 2011, the graduation rate was 95%.[6] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. West York Area High School's rate was 89% for 2010.[7]

Under the former traditional rate

Academic achievement

In 2012, West York Area High School declined to Warning AYP status due to low reading and mathematics scores of 11th graders.[13] In 2010, West York Area High School achieved AYP status.[14]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading

2007 - 73%, State - 65.4% [19]

11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:

Graduation requirements

The West York Area School Board has set that a minimum of 28.5 credits, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Arts/Humanities 3 credits, Physical Education 2, Health 1, Parenting 0.5 credits and other credits.[29]

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.[30] In the spring of the junior year, students present their projects to a panel of teachers. Teachers from grades K through 12 serve on the assessment panels for the Graduation Project. Students earn .5 credit upon successful completion of their Graduation Project. Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[31]

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.[32][33][34] 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.[35] 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.[36] 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.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, "34% of West York 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.[37] 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.[38] 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

West York 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 during the program. 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, including the graduation ceremony. 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.[39] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[40]

For the 2009-10 funding year, West York Area School District received a state grant of $5,684 for the program.[41]

SAT scores

In 2012, 155 West York Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 491. The Math average score was 502. The Writing average score was 469. 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.

From January to June 2011, 135 West York Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 481. The Writing average score was 447.[42] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[43] 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.[44]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize computer use. The program was funded from 2006–2009.

West York Area School District never applied to participate in the grants. Fifty school districts in Pennsylvania did not apply to get the computers, software and special targeted training. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[45]

Extracurriculars

West York Area School District's students have access to a wide variety of clubs, activities, and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board policy and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association regulations.[46]

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.[47]

Sport teams

West York uses navy blue and white as school spirit colours and their mascot is a Bulldog. The high school is a member of PIAA AAA athletics class. West York finished the 2007 regular football season with a record of 9-1, sending them to play a Division III team at home for the first time in 10 years. In 2008 the football team went on to win their Division with another 9-1 regular season record. They went on to be the first team from YAIAA to ever win a AA or AAA district championship as they won the District III Championship in Hershey. The Bulldogs' unforgettable 2008 season came to an end however, on December 5 at Altoona, Pennsylvania's Mansion Park Stadium. The Bulldogs fell to defending state champions Thomas Jefferson, 49-21. Thousands of West York fans made the trip across the state to root for their team. West York's final record was 13-2, the best in school history.[48]


District funds

Boys
Girls
  • Basketball - AAA
  • Cross Country - AA
  • Field Hockey - AA
  • Golf - AAA
  • Lacrosse - AAAA
  • Soccer (Fall) - AA
  • Softball - AAA
  • Swimming and Diving - AA
  • Girls' Tennis - AAA
  • Track and Field - AA
  • Volleyball - AA

Musical

Marching band

The school's marching band was directed by Tom Eyster until the end of the 2010-2012 school year and then handed control over to Rod Meckely. For the year of 2007-2008 the theme of the band show was American Tapestry and for the year of 2008-2009, the West York Marching Band played Island Pulse. The 2009-210 season contained the songs of Billy Joel and the 2010-2011 theme was Chuck Mangione. 2011-2012 was Elvis Presley and 2012-2013 was Ray Charles.

References

  1. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - West York Area High School, 2012
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment and Projections by LEA, July 2011
  3. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data - West York Area High School, 2010
  4. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers High School 2012, September 21, 2012
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "West York Area School District AYP Data Table 2012".
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, West York Area School District AYP Data Table, September 29, 2011
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  8. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, West York Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 data table, October 20, 2010
  9. ↑ West York Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2009
  10. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 2009). "2008 High School Graduation Rates".
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. "Pennsylvania High School Graduation rates".
  12. ↑ West York Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2005, Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2005
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, West York Area School District AYP Overview 2012, September 21, 2012
  14. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, West York Area High School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  17. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "West York Area Senior High School 11th grade PSSA Performance Levels 2010".
  18. ↑ Grading Our Schools, Times-Tribune (2009). "West York Area Schools PSSA 2008 results,".
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 2007). "Report Mathematics, Reading, Writing PSSA results by School 2007.".
  20. ↑ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  21. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "West York Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  23. ↑ Times Tribune (2008). "West York Area School District 2008 PSSAs Math Results".
  24. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012".
  25. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  26. ↑ The Scranton Times-Tribune'- Grading Our Schools PSSA database. "West York Area SD 2010 Science PSSA results,".
  27. ↑ The Scranton Times Tribune (2009). "West York Area School District PSSA results".
  28. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "2008 PSSAs: Science Results".
  29. ↑ West York Area School Board. "West York Area Senior High School Graduation Requirements".
  30. ↑ Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements.
  31. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  32. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  33. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  34. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  35. ↑ 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
  36. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  37. ↑ Pennsylvania College Remediation Report
  38. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics - IPEDS 2008
  39. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines 2010-11".
  40. ↑ Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement. Site accessed March 2010.
  41. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 2009). "Dual Enrollment Fall Grants 2009-10".
  42. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  43. ↑ College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  44. ↑ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
  45. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Classrooms For the Future grants audit" (PDF).
  46. ↑ West York Area School Board Policy Manual Extracurriculars Policy 122 and Interscholastic Athletics Policy 123
  47. ↑ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
  48. ↑ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2012). "PIAA School Directory".

External links

Coordinates: 39°57′34″N 76°45′51″W / 39.95943°N 76.76414°W / 39.95943; -76.76414

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