Mount Carmel Area High School

Mount Carmel Area High School

Shows a portion of Mount Carmel ASD
Address
600 West 5th Street
Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, Northumberland County, Columbia County 17851
United States
Coordinates 40°47′28″N 76°25′19″W / 40.7912°N 76.4220°W / 40.7912; -76.4220Coordinates: 40°47′28″N 76°25′19″W / 40.7912°N 76.4220°W / 40.7912; -76.4220
Information
Type Public
School board 9 elected members
Superintendent Bernard Stellar salary $66,096 (2013)
Administrator

Mrs. Monica McKerns-O'Donnell director of special ed
Mrs. Lisa Varano, Curriculum Coordinator, salary $75,000 (2013)
Ms. Susan Nestico, Federal Program Coordinator

Mr. Charles Mannello, Business Comsultant
Director Mr. Gregory Scavage, Athletics Director, salary $60,843[1]
Principal Mrs. Lisa Varano HS
Faculty 41 teachers (2012)[2]
Grades 9-12
Age 14 years old to 21 years old special education
Pupils

435 pupils (2014)[3]
461 pupils (2013)[4]
499 pupils (2010)[5]

578 pupils (2005)[6]
 • Grade 9 108 (2012),[7] 142 (2010)
 • Grade 10 98 (2012), 120
 • Grade 11 119 (2012), 144
 • Grade 12 136 (2012), 113 (2010)
Language English
Mascot Tornadoes
Website http://www.mca.k12.pa.us/
School District regions in Columbia County

Mount Carmel Area High School is located at 600 West 5th Street, Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 461 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 48.59% of pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 18.65% of pupils receiving special education services, while 3.6% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 41 teachers.[8] Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. It is the sole high school operated by the Mount Carmel Area School District.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 499 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 211 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 50 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1.[9] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[10]

Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program

In April 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying one Mount Carmel Area School District school as among the lowest achieving schools for reading and mathematics in 2013.[11] Mount Carmel Area High School was among the 15% lowest achieving schools in the Commonwealth. Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012.[12][13] The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.[14] Fifty-three public schools in Allegheny County are among the lowest-achieving schools in 2011. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District.[15] Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General DiPasquale reported that Mount Carmel Area High School is among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[16][17] He also reported the Pennsylvania Department of Education failed to take any action to remediate the state's poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.[18]

Graduation rate

In 2014, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 88%.[19] In 2013, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 87.93%.[20] In 2012, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 87%.[21] In 2011, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 94%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Mount Carmel Area High School's rate was 76.26% for 2010.[22]

Former formula AYP graduation rate:

2014 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Area High School achieved 60.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 66.6% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 63% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 51% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[27][28] Among the high schools in the IU16 region, Mount Carmel's achievement ranked 15th out of 16.[29]

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.[30] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[31][32]

Compared with last year, the percentage of schools that earned below 60 declined by nearly 1 percent per Secretayr of Education Carolyn Dumaresq. She reported that this is an indication that student achievement is improving as school resources are being used better.[33]

2013 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Area High School achieved 56.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - just 68% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 55.66% demonstrated on grade level skills math skills. In Biology, just 37.38% showed on grade level science understanding.[34] 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, they now take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.[35]

Adequate Yearly Progress history

In 2012, Mount Carmel Area High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to missing all academic metrics.[36] In 2011, Mount Carmel Area High School achieved AYP status.[37]

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes. Additionally, Mount Carmel Area High School administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[38] The High School is eligible for special, targeted funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[39]

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. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. 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.[40]

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

Science in Motion

Mount Carmel Area 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.[49] Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 21% of Mount Carmel 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.[50] 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.[51] 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 Mount Carmel 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 at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. In 2010, the state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[52] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[53] Under state rules, other students that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are home schooled are eligible to participate in this program.[54] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis. For the 2009-10 funding year, Mount Carmel Area School District received a state grant of $13,255 for the program.[55] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.

SAT scores

In 2014, Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 468. The Math average score was 473. The Writing average score was 434.[56] 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.[57]

In 2013, 88 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 471. The Math average score was 454. The Writing average score was 447. 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.[58]

In 2012, 72 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 450. The Math average score was 464. The Writing average score was 448. 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, 86 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 460. The Math average score was 465. The Writing average score was 450.[59] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[60] 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.[61]

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.[62]

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 2013, Mount Carmel Area High School offered 5 Advanced Placement (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. 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 Mount Carmel Area High School 10% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[63]

In 2014, Mount Carmel Area High School offered 9 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).[64] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2014, just 15% of Mount Carmel Area pupils who took the AP exam, achieved a 3 or better.[65]

ACE

Mount Carmel Area School District students 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 student rate.[66] Successful students earn college credits that can be transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) system.

Extracurriculars

The Mount Carmel Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program.[67] Eligibility for participation is determined by Mount Carmel Area School Board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The Mount Carmel Area School District is a Division I member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.[68] 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 in the district, including those who attend a private school, a public cyber charter school, a public charter school and those who are 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.[69]

Mount Carmel Area School District operates an indoor pool which it rents to the general public for pool parties. The District is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website.

Sports

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.[70] 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.[71] The District conducts preseason concussion testing for all athletes.

The District funds:

Boys
Girls
  • Basketball - AA
  • Cross Country - A
  • Golf - AA
  • Soccer (Fall) - A
  • Swimming and Diving - AA
  • Track and Field

Junior High School Sports

Boys
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Track and Field
  • Wrestling

Girls
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Softball
  • Track and Field

References

  1. ↑ NEWS-ITEM (June 3, 2012). "School staff salaries: Mount Carmel Area".
  2. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data Mount Carmel Area School District, 2013
  3. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (December 4, 2013). "Mount Carmel Area High School Profile Fast Facts 2014".
  4. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mount Carmel Area High School Profile Fast Facts 2013, October 4, 2013
  5. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Mount Carmel Area High School, 2011
  6. ↑ PDE, Enrollment by LEA and School 2005, 2006
  7. ↑ PDE, Enrollment by LEA and School 2012, 2012
  8. ↑ US News and World Report, Best High Schools, 2013
  9. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data - Mount Carmel Area High School, 2010
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Mount Carmel Area High School, September 29, 2011
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (April 2014). "2014-15 List of Low Achieving Schools".
  12. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2013). "Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program".
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of community and Economic Development (2014). "Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program FAQ".
  14. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2012). "Tuition rate Fiscal Year 2011-2012".
  15. ↑ Olsen, Laura, State list of failing schools has 53 in county, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, July 26, 2012
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General Office (October 6, 2015). "561 Academically Challenged Schools Overlooked by the Department of Education" (PDF).
  17. ↑ Joe Sylvester (October 7, 2015). "8 schools in Valley jilted, audit reveals". The Daily Item.
  18. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General Office (October 7, 2015). "Special Performance Audit Report - Pennsylvania Department of Education" (PDF).
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mount Carmel Area School District Fast Facts 2014, November 6, 2014
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mount Carmel Area School District Fast Facts 2013, October 4, 2013
  21. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Mount Carmel Area School District AYP Datatable 2012".
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  23. 1 2 Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Mount Carmel Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2010" (PDF).
  24. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mount Carmel Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  25. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  26. ↑ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
  27. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "Mount Carmel Area High School Academic Performance Data 2014".
  28. ↑ Evamarie Socha (November 6, 2014). "Half of Valley districts see state test scores decline". The Daily Item.
  29. ↑ PDE (2014). "2014 CSIU 16 region school districts/schools".
  30. ↑ 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
  31. ↑ Kathy Boccella; Dylan Purcell & Kristen A. Graham (November 6, 2014). "Pa. school rankings: Downingtown STEM No. 1; Phila. falters". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  32. ↑ Jan Murphy (November 6, 2014). "More Pa. school scores decline than improve, state report card shows". Pennlive.com.
  33. ↑ Evamarie Socha (November 6, 2014). "Half of Valley districts see state test scores decline".
  34. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Mount Carmel Area High School Academic Performance Data 2013".
  35. ↑ Eleanor Chute & Mary Niederberger (December 11, 2013). "New assessment shows fuller picture of Pa. schools". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  36. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mount Carmel Area High School Academic Report Card 2012, September 21, 2012
  37. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mount Carmel Area High School Academic Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  38. ↑ US Department of Education (2003). "NCLB Parental Notices".
  39. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "School Improvement Grant".
  40. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Assessment System".
  41. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Mount Carmel Area School District Academic Report Card 2012" (PDF).
  42. ↑ "11th grade Reading 2011 CSIU Region Ranking". September 29, 2011.
  43. ↑ "Central Pennsylvania IU16 Districts PSSA Math Ranking". 2009.
  44. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, PSSA Math and Reading results by School 2007, August 2007
  45. ↑ "11th Grade Math CSIU16 Region Schools 2011 rank". September 29, 2011.
  46. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  47. ↑ "11th Grade Science CSIU16 Region Schools 2011". September 2011.
  48. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Report on Science PSSA results 2008, August 15, 2008
  49. ↑ The Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnership, Science in Motion annual report, 2012
  50. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report".
  51. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  52. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education - Dual Enrollment Guidelines.
  53. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  54. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dual Enrollment Guidelines, 2010
  55. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Allocations to school districts for 2010-11".
  56. ↑ PDE, School Performance profile, November 6, 2014
  57. ↑ College Board (2014). "2014 College-Bound Seniors State Profile Report" (PDF).
  58. ↑ College Board (2013). "The 2013 SAT Report on College & Career Readiness".
  59. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  60. ↑ College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  61. ↑ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
  62. ↑ The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (August 2006). "SAT Scores and Other School Data".
  63. ↑ PDE, School Performance Profile - Academic Performance Data - Mount Carmel Area High School, December 2013
  64. ↑ College Board (2014). "Exam Fees and Reductions: 2015".
  65. ↑ PDE (November 6, 2014). "Mount Carmel Area High School Academic performance 2014".
  66. ↑ Bloomsburg University Administration (2013). "High School Students (ACE)".
  67. ↑ Bernard Stellar (2013). "Annual Financial Report , PDE-2057 Mount Carmel Area School District" (PDF).
  68. ↑ "Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference handbook 2010–11" (PDF).
  69. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
  70. ↑ Mount Carmel Area School Board, Mount Carmel Area School District Teacher Union Contract, 2014
  71. ↑ PA General Assembly (July 1, 2012). "Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011 Safety in Youth Sports Act".
  72. ↑ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2012). "PIAA School Directory".
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