Danville High School (Pennsylvania)

Danville Area High School
Address
600 Walnut Street
Danville, Pennsylvania, Montour County, Northumberland County 17821-9131
United States
Information
Type Public
School board 9 locally elected members
School district Danville Area School District
Superintendent Mrs Cheryl Latorre (8/2011 - 6/30/2016)[1]
Administrator Ms Janis K Venna, District Business Manager
Principal Mr. Lee Gump
Faculty 51 teachers (2014),[2] 55.6 teachers (2013)[3]
Grades 9th-12th
Age 14 years old to 21 years old special education students
Pupils 643pupils (2014), 625 pupils 2013,[4] 699 9th-12th grades (2012, 711 pupils (2010)[5]
  Grade 9 153
  Grade 10 191
  Grade 11 171
  Grade 12 184
  Other Enrollment declining to 453 (2019)[6]
Language English
Color(s) Orange and Purple
Mascot Ironman
Feeder schools Danville Area Middle School
Affiliation Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit #16
Gifted rate 4.96% of pupils
Website http://www.danville.k12.pa.us/
Map of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Danville High School is located at 600 Walnut Street, Danville, Pennsylvania. The school is part of the Danville Area School District which is one of 500 public school districts in Pennsylvania. The high school serves fragments of two rural Pennsylvania counties. In Montour County the school serves the Boroughs of Danville and Washingtonville and Cooper Township, Derry Township, Liberty Township, Mahoning Township, Mayberry Township, Valley Township and West Hemlock Township. In Northumberland County it covers the Borough of Riverside and Rush Township.

The principal of the school is Lee Gump and the assistant principal is Ms. Michelle Garman. In 2013, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Declining enrollment is an issue for the school. Danville High School's enrollment declined to 625 pupils in 2013, with 19.5% of them eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 720 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 127 pupils (16%) eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. The school employed 56 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[7] The student body makeup is 51 percent male and 49 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 6 percent.[8]

According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 6 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind due to having emergency certification.[9] The AP® participation rate at Danville Area Senior High School is 35 percent.

Graduation rate

In 2014, Danville Area School District's graduation rate rose to 94.97%.[10]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

College Remediation rate

In January 2009, research was presented to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. The research examined course enrollment trends at the state’s 14 community colleges and the 14 institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The data, provided by PASSHE and the community colleges, showed that, during the 2007-08 school year, 18% of Danville Area High School graduates required costly remediation in math and/or reading before they could take regular college courses.[19]

2014 School Performance Profile

Danville Area High School achieved 92.9 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 86.6% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 84.7% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 76.6% 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% (2013) to 40.1% (2014). 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 (2013) to 41.4 (2014).[22]

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.[23]

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.[24] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[25][26]

2013 School Performance Profile

in 2013, Danville High School achieved 92.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature, 92% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 92.8% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Biology, 50% showed on grade level science understanding.[27] 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.

Adequate Yearly Progress history

In 2003 through 2012, Danville Area High School achieved Adequate YEarly Progress (AYP) status under the federal No Child Left Behind Act each year.[28][29] Effective with Spring 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education discontinued administering the PSSA's to 11th graders.

PSSA History

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.[30] 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.[31]

11th Grade Reading on grade level
11th Grade Mathematics on grade level
11th Grade Science on grade level

Science in Motion Danville High 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.[43] The High School worked with Susquehanna University to provide the experiences.

Dual enrollment

The Danville 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 offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[44] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[45] For the 2009-10 funding year, Danville Area School District received a state grant of $4,368 for the program. The grants were discontinued by Governor Rendell in 2010.

ACE

Danville High School students also have access to Bloomsburg University's Summer College and Advanced College Experience (ACE) during the summer of their sophomore, junior and senior years (after high school graduation). Tuition is deeply discounted to 75% of the regular rate.[46] Successful students earn college credits that can be transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania TRAC system.

Advance Placement Courses

In 2013, Danville High School offered 13 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. The cost of the exam was $89 in 2012. 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.[47] The College Board does not require a student to take an AP course to qualify for taking the exam. At Danville Area High School 76.81% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[48]

In 2014, DAHS offered 12 AP Courses. Of those students who took the courses, 68% achieved a 3 or better on the AP exam.[49]

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Danville Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 28 credits to graduate, including: mathematics - 4 credits, English 4.5 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 4.5 credits, Computer technology 1 credit, Physical Education and health 2.5 credits, Graduation project 0.5 credit and electives. In 2017 graduation requirements will be reduced by 1 credit to 27 credits and the student must score proficient or advanced on the following Keystone Exams: Algebra I, English Literature, and Biology.[50]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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.[51] 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.[52]

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.[53][54][55] 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.[56] 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.[57] 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.

SAT scores

In 2014, Danville Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 514. The Math average score was 530. The Writing average score was 490.[58] 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.[59]

In 2013, Danville Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 541. The Math average score was 530. The Writing average score was 526. 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.[60]

In 2012, 148 Danville Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 510. The Math average score was 527. The Writing average score was 501. 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, 137 Danville Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 512. The Math average score was 526. The Writing average score was 488.[61] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[62] 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.[63]

According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education 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.[64]

IThe 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.

Danville e-Learning Cyber Academy

Danville e-Learning Cyber Academy is offered to the school's students as an alternative to attending one of Pennsylvania's 13 public cyber charter schools. The school is open to students in grades 7th through 12th. The program offers numerous online courses provided by VLINC (Virtually Linking INstruction and Curriculum) and the BLAST Intermediate Unit #17 including Lincoln Interactive curriculum, Edison Learning and Advanced Academics.[65] Courses earned through the program count towards graduation. Students continue to have access to all district programs including: AP Courses, extracurriculars, health and counseling services and high school graduation ceremony.

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math), along with other specialized equipment and provided funding for teacher training to optimize the use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Danville Area School District received $167,949 in 2006-07 and $300,000 in 2007-08. The District administration did not apply for funding in 2009.[66] The grants were discontinued by Governor Rendell for his 2010-11 budget.

Special Education

Danville High School offers a specialized program for some students with IEPs (Individualized Education Plan). The Hackey House is an independent living house where skills are developed for adulthood. Under Pennsylvania law, students may remain in the program until the age of 21 years. The program is funded with local tax dollars, state special education dollars and federal IDEA funding. In 2013, 12% of the students at Danville High School received special education services.

Extracurriculars

The Danville Area School District offers a wide variety of clubs, including forensics (speech and debate), activities and an extensive, costly sports program. The District reports spending over $700,000 in 2013-14.[67] Danville Area School District is a member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference for all athletics and participates under the rules and guidelines of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the District, including those who attend a private school, public cyber charter school, public 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.[68]

Athletics

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.[69][70]

Boys

Girls
  • Basketball - AA
  • Bowling - AAAA
  • School sponsored non competitive cheerleading
  • Cross Country - AA
  • Field Hockey - AA
  • Golf -AA
  • Indoor Track and Field
  • Lacrosse - AAAA
  • Soccer (Fall) - AA
  • Softball - AAA
  • Swimming and Diving - AA
  • Girls' Tennis - AA
  • Track and Field

Cross Country

| 2012 - Girls Cross Country won the Shikellamy Classic Invitational

| 2012 - Girls Cross Country won the AA District IV XC Championships | 2012 - Girls Cross Country took 6th Place at The PIAA State Cross Country Championships | 2012 - Guys Cross Country took 2nd in the Shikellamy Classic Invitational | 2012 - Guys Cross Country took 2nd in the AA District IV XC Championships

References

  1. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Educational Names and Addresses, 2013
  2. US News and World Report, Best HIgh Schools 2014, 2014
  3. National Center of Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2013
  4. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment by LEA and School, 2013
  5. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Danville Area Senior High School, 2011
  6. Pennsylvania Department of Education School Enrollment and Projections to 2019, January 2009.
  7. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data - Danville High School, 2010
  8. US News and World Report, Education - US High Schools - Danville Area Senior High School, 2013
  9. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Danville High School 2012, September 21, 2012
  10. Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "School Performance Profile - Danville Area School District".
  11. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville High School Performance Profile 2013, October 4, 2013
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville Area School District AYP Table 2012, September 21, 2012
  13. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville Area School District AYP Table 2011, September 29, 2011
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  15. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 data table, 2010
  16. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, 2009
  17. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 2008
  18. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2006, 2006
  19. Thousands of Pennsylvania high school graduates head to college unprepared. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7201&PageID=510952&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/single_web/newsroom_press_releases/news_releases/new_higher_education_data_shows_thousands_of_pennsylvania_high_school_graduates_head_to_college_unprepared.html
  20. Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "Danville Area 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. Eleanor Chute (November 21, 2014). "Pennsylvania student scores declined with reduced funding, test results show". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  24. 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
  25. Kathy Boccella; Dylan Purcell; Kristen A. Graham (November 6, 2014). "Pa. school rankings: Downingtown STEM No. 1; Phila. falters". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  26. Jan Murphy (November 6, 2014). "More Pa. school scores decline than improve, state report card shows". Pennlive.com.
  27. Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Danville High School Academic Performance Data 2013".
  28. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville Area High School AYP Overview 2011, September 29, 2011
  29. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Danville Area High School AYP Overview 2012, September 21, 2012
  30. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Academic Standards".
  31. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Assessment System".
  32. Danville Area School District Report Card 2008 http://www.scribd.com/doc/19283760/Danville-Area-School-District-Report-Card-2008
  33. Pennsylvania PSSA Results Math and Reading by Schools 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/21820779/Pennsylvania-PSSA-Results-Math-and-Reading-by-Schools-2009
  34. 11th Grade Reading 2010 Central Pennsylvania Ranking http://www.scribd.com/doc/37996314/11th-Grade-Reading-2010-Central-Pennsylvania-Ranking
  35. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  36. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  37. PDE (2009). "Central Pennsylvania Public High School Math Ranking 2009".
  38. "11th Grade Math 2010 Central Pennsylvania IU16 Region Ranking" (PDF). 2010.
  39. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Danville Area Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012" (PDF).
  40. Pennsylvania PSSA Science 2009 results by school and grade http://www.scribd.com/doc/24670128/Pennsylvania-Science-Test-Results-by-School-2009
  41. "11th Grade Science Central Pennsylvania Schools 2010". 2010.
  42. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 Science PSSA and AYP Results".
  43. The Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnership, Science in Motion annual report, 2012
  44. http://www.scribd.com/doc/24901214/Pennsylvania-Department-of-Education-Dual-Enrollment-Guidelines-2010-2011 Pennsylvania Department of Education - Dual Enrollment Guidelines.
  45. Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement. Site accessed March 2010. http://www.patrac.org/
  46. Bloomsburg University Administration (2013). "High School Students (ACE)".
  47. Danville Area School District Administration, Advanced Placement Courses information for Parents and Students, 2013
  48. PDE, School Performance Profile - Academic Performance Data - Danville Area High School, December 2013
  49. PDE, School Performance Profile Danville High School, 2014
  50. Danville Area School Board, 2013-14 High School Course Guide, 2013
  51. Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  52. Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  53. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  54. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  55. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code Chapter 4".
  56. 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
  57. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  58. PDE, School Performance profile, November 6, 2014
  59. College Board (2014). "2014 College-Bound Seniors State Profile Report" (PDF).
  60. College Board (2013). "The 2013 SAT Report on College & Career Readiness".
  61. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  62. College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  63. "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". September 2011.
  64. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (August 2006). "SAT Scores and Other School Data".
  65. Mrs. Jennifer Gurski, Vice Principal, Parent Information Meeting Cyber Education Plan, June 3, 2013
  66. Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Classrooms For the Future Grants audit" (PDF).
  67. Danville Area School District Business Manager (June 18, 2013). "Final General Fund Budget 2013-14" (PDF).
  68. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
  69. PA General Assembly (July 1, 2012). "Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011 Safety in Youth Sports Act".
  70. UMPC Sports Medicine (2014). "Managing Concussions in Student Athletes: The Safety in Youth Sports Act".

External links

Coordinates: 40°57′28″N 76°36′02″W / 40.9578°N 76.6005°W / 40.9578; -76.6005

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