Reading Senior High School

Reading Senior High School (colloquially known as The Castle on The Hill) is a 9–12 public high school in Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. It was established in 1927 and is part of the Reading School District.

Reading Senior High School
Address
801 North 13th Street

Reading
,
Pennsylvania
19604

United States
Coordinates40.3477°N 75.9107°W / 40.3477; -75.9107
Information
Other nameThe Castle on The Hill
TypePublic high school
MottoLatin: Dic cur hic[1]
(Tell me why you are here)
Established1927 (1927)[1]
School districtReading School District
NCES School ID422004000859[2]
PrincipalEric B. Turman[3]
Teaching staff168.00 (on an FTE basis)[2]
Grades9–12
Enrollment3,352 (2017-2018)[2]
Student to teacher ratio19.95[2]
Color(s)Red and Black         
MascotRed Knight
Websitewww.readingsd.org/Domain/26

Performance

The Pennsylvania Department of Education lists Reading High School and most other schools in the Reading School District as among the lowest 15% achieving schools for reading and mathematics 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.[4]

Graduation Rate

In 2012, Reading School District's graduation rate was 61%.[5] In 2011, the graduation rate was 56%.[6] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. High School's rate was 53.7% for 2010.[7]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

Drop out rate

Reading Senior High School administration reports annual dropout rates.[12]

  • 2011 - 13.19%, Berks County - 1.89%, PA - 1.28%
  • 2010 - 9.61%, Berks County - 2.13%, PA - 1.49%
  • 2009 - 10.0%, Berks County - 2.20%, PA - 1.60%
  • 2008 - 8.10%, Berks County - 2.00%, PA - 1.70%
  • 2007 - 7.50%, Berks County - 1.90%, PA - 1.60%

AYP Status

In 2012, Reading Senior High School declined School Improvement II AYP status due to missing 12 of 14 academic metrics measured. In 2011, Reading Senior High School was in School Improvement Level 1 AYP status due to missing 13 out of 14 metrics measured.[13] Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the District. Additionally the 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 must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[14] The High School is eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[15]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 36% on grade level, (37% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[16]
  • 2011 - 41% (36% below basic). State - 69.1% [17]
  • 2010 - 42% (38% below basic). State - 66% [18]
  • 2009 - 37% (36% below basic). State - 65% [19]
  • 2008 - 32% (45% below basic). State - 65% [20]
  • 2007 - 37% (44% below basic). State - 65% [21]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 29% on grade level (48% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[22]
  • 2011 - 26% (48% below basic). State - 60.3% [23]
  • 2010 - 25% (54% below basic). State - 59% [24]
  • 2009 - 28% (49% below basic). State - 56%.[25]
  • 2008 - 22% (58% below basic). State - 56% [26]
  • 2007 - 21% (59% below basic). State - 53% [27]

11th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 8% on grade level (46% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[28]
  • 2011 - 13% (45% below basic). State - 40% [29]
  • 2010 - 12% (42% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 11% (43% below basic). State - 40% [30]
  • 2008 - 11% (43% below basic). State - 39% [31]

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 68% of the Reading 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.[32] 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.[33] 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.

SAT Scores

In 2012, 410 Reading Senior High School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 397. The Math average score was 395. The Writing average score was 375. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the US, 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, 446 Reading Senior School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 402. The Math average score was 398. The Writing average score was 357.[34] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[35] 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.[36]

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Reading School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 23 credits to graduate, including: English 4.00 credits, Mathematics - 4.00 credits, Science - 3.00 credits, Social Studies 3.00 credits, Physical Education 1.32 credits, Wellness .50 credits, Safety/First Aid .18 credits, Computer/Career Awareness .50 credits, and Electives - 6.50 credits.[37]

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.[38] 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.[39]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2017, 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.[40][41][42] 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.[43] 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.

Dual enrollment

The Reading Senior 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.[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, the school district received a state grant of $79,544 for the program.[46]

AP Courses

Reading High School offers an AP course program which permits successful students to earn college credits when they achieve score of 3 or better on the final examination offered by the College Board.[47]

TV Studio

The school has received broadcasting and recording equipment from Bob Seidel, Vice President of CBS Engineering and Advanced Technology, who is an alumnus of Reading High School. Students who are members of Knight Life, the school's television club, produce live morning announcements and a live, twice-a-month, two-hour-long television show on a local Public-access television channel. They also participate, along with several other county schools, in a show called Bridging the Generation Gap, co-produced with Berks County Television (BCTV). Besides the Monday night Knight Life shows, Knight Life members also take part in recording the spring and winter music concerts, the school show and live coverage of boys and girls basketball, wrestling, volleyball and soccer.

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) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. The Reading School District received $407,573 in 2006–07. In 2007–08, the High School received $558,533. The district received another $328,391 in 2008–09.[48] In Berks County the highest award was given to Reading School District - $1,294,497. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide by then Governor Edward Rendell, due to a massive state financial crisis.

Extracurriculars

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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 athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[49]

Sports

The District funds:

According to PIAA directory.[50]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "A Short History of Reading High School". Reading Senior High School. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  2. "Search for Public Schools - Reading SHS (422004000859)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  3. "New RHS principal aims to boost graduation rates". Reading Eagle. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  4. Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2012). "Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program".
  5. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Reading School District AYP Data Table 2012".
  6. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Reading School District AYP Data Table 2011, 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, Reading School District Academic Achievement Report Card Data table 2010, October 20, 2010
  9. The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  10. The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  11. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
  12. Reading High School Administration (2011). "Reading High School Snapshot 2011" (PDF).
  13. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Area High School AcYP Overview 2012, September 21, 2012
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2012). "Pennsylvania Accountability System Frequently Asked Questions".
  15. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "School Improvement Grant".
  16. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  17. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  18. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  19. The Times-Tribune (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results".
  20. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  21. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
  22. Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  23. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Reading Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  24. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Reading Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, October 20, 2010
  25. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Reading Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  26. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Reading Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
  27. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Reading Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2007, 2007
  28. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Reading Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012" (PDF).
  29. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  30. The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  31. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Report on PSSA Science results by school and grade 2008".
  32. Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report". Archived from the original on May 3, 2012.
  33. National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  34. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011". Archived from the original on October 15, 2011.
  35. College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  36. "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
  37. Reading School Board, Reading Senior High School Graduation Requirements 2011, 2011
  38. Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  39. Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  40. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  41. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview". Archived from the original on March 17, 2012.
  42. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  43. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  44. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  45. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  46. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Allocations to school districts for 2010-11".
  47. Reading School District Administration, Reading High School Snapshot, 2012-13
  48. Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Classrooms for the Future grants audit" (PDF).
  49. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
  50. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2013). "PIAA School Directory".
  51. "The Pennsylvania House of Representatives – Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone Biography".
  52. "Congressional Biographical Directory".
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