Moshannon Valley School District

The Moshannon Valley School District is a diminutive, rural public school district in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Houtzdale, Brisbin, Ramey, and Glen Hope plus the townships of Gulich, Jordan, Bigler, and Woodward. Moshannon Valley School District encompasses approximately 148 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,764. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $13,356, while the median family income was $34,882.[3] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[4] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[5] Per Moshannon Valley School District officials, in school year 2005-06, the District provided basic educational services to 1,048 pupils through the employment of 80 teachers, 49 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 4 administrators. Moshannon Valley School District received more than $8 million in state funding in school year 2005-06. Beginning in the school year 2012-2013 the athletics program has greatly improved. The Black Knights Vasity Basketball won ICCU Champs in 2016-2017 school year. Black Knights Variety football in 2015-2016 were undefeated 10-0. They lost the final play off game against Bishop Guilfoyle (a Catholic private school located in Altoona, Pennsylvania ). The Lady Damsel Varsity Softball in year 2016-2017 made playoffs with their amazing field men and batters. Overall Moshannon Valley athletics has greatly improved over the last years.

Moshannon Valley School District
"Mo-Valley"
Address
4934 Green Acre Road

Houtzdale
,
Clearfield County
,
Pennsylvania
16651
Information
TypePublic
School board9 elected members
SuperintendentJohn Zesiger
PrincipalKris Albright
PrincipalTracie Tomasko (Elementary School)
GradesK-12
Number of pupils930 pupil[1]
 • Kindergarten62
 • Grade 161
 • Grade 273
 • Grade 368
 • Grade 480
 • Grade 570
 • Grade 672
 • Grade 759
 • Grade 882
 • Grade 955
 • Grade 1079
 • Grade 1171
 • Grade 1269
 • OtherEnrollment projected to be 798 in 2020[2]
Color(s)Black, White and Gold               
Athletics conferencePIAA District 6
MascotBlack Knights
Websitehttp://movalley.org/

Schools

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.[6] 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.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[7]

Academic achievement

Moshannon Valley School District was ranked 421st out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance on the reading, writing, math and three years of science PSSAs.[8]

  • 2010 - 421st[9]
  • 2009 - 458th
  • 2008 - 463rd
  • 2007 - 469th out of 501 school districts.[10]

In 2011, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Moshannon Valley School District ranked 370th. In 2010, the district was 423rd. 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."[11]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of Moshannon Valley School District was in the 34th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)[12]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate was 96%.[13] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Moshannon Valley High School's rate was 90% for 2010.[14]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

MV Junior Senior High School

The school is located at 4934 Green Acre Road, Houtzdale, PA 16651. In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind Act.[19] In 2010, the school had 424 students and 26 teachers.[20]

11th Grade Reading

  • 2011 - 61% on grade level, (12% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[21]
  • 2010 - 57% (23% below basic). State - 66%[22]
  • 2009 - 63% (21% below basic). State - 65%[23]
  • 2008 - 63% (16% below basic). State - 65%[24]
  • 2007 - 63% (21% below basic). State - 65%[25]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 53% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[26]
  • 2010 - 38% (43% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2009 - 45% (31% below basic). State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 39% (25% below basic). State - 56%
  • 2007 - 45% (31% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 43% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[27]
  • 2010 - 33% (22% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 34% (11% below basic). State - 40%[28]
  • 2008 - 17% (17% below basic)s. State - 39%

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 15% of the Moshannon Valley Junior Senior 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.[29] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate within three years.[30] 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 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[31] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[32] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,609 for the program.[33]

Graduation requirements

The Moshannon Valley School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25 credits to graduate, including: Math 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 4 credits, Physical Education and health 2.5 credits, Family Life Skills 0.5 credit, Computers 1 credit, Arts/Humanities 2 credits and electives. Students are required to take 8 credits each year and are allowed one study hall per day.[34]

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.[35]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes 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.[36][37][38]

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 456. The Math average score was 447. The Writing average score was 432.[39] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[40] 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.[41]

Junior high school

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 68% on grade level (19% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 48% (33% below basic). State – 57%[45]
  • 2009 - 53% (17% below basic). State - 55%[46]
  • 2008 - 31% (38% below basic). State - 52%[47]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber nts enrolled in the district's schools.[48]

Athletics

Boys Athletics

Girls Athletics

References
  1. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment by Local Education Agency, July 20, 2010
  2. Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2009). "Enrollment and Projections by school district".
  3. US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
  4. US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  5. US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
  6. Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
  7. The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. "The Pennsylvania Project". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
  8. Pittsburgh Business Times (April 4, 2011). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings information 2011". Archived from the original on January 19, 2012.
  9. Pittsburgh Business Times (April 30, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2010".
  10. "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
  11. "Overachiever statewide ranking". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 6, 2010.
  12. The Morning Call (2009). "2009 PSSA RESULTS School District".
  13. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Moshannon Valley School District AYP Data Table". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented". Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  15. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Moshannon Valley Junior Senior High School District AYP Data table". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  16. The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  17. The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  18. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-07. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  19. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "MOSHANNON VALLEY Junior Senior High School AYP Overview". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  20. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core Data - Moshannon Valley Junior Senior High School, 2010
  21. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  22. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  23. The Times-Tribune. (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results,".
  24. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  25. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
  26. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "MOSHANNON VALLEY Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  27. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  28. The Times-Tribune. (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results,".
  29. Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,". Archived from the original on May 3, 2012.
  30. National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  31. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  32. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  33. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Dual Enrollment Grants 2009 10 Fall Grants by School District".
  34. Moshannon Valley School District Administration (2011). "Course Selection Booklet 2012-2013 Moshannon Valley School District" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  35. Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  36. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  37. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview". Archived from the original on 2012-03-17.
  38. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  39. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011". Archived from the original on 2011-10-15.
  40. College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  41. "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
  42. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "Reading and Math PSSA 2008 by Schools".
  43. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (September 14, 2010). "2010 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing Results".
  44. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  45. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2010). "Science PSSA 2010 by Schools".
  46. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2009). "Science PSSA 2009 by Schools".
  47. Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 15, 2008). "Science PSSA 2008 by Schools".
  48. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
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