Western Beaver Junior/Senior High School

Western PA region academic ranking

In 2015 Western Beaver County Senior High School's 11th grade ranked 79th out of 104 high schools in the western Pennsylvania region.[6]

• 2014 - 74th
• 2012 - 63rd
• 2011 - 62nd.
• 2010 - 55th out of 105 western Pennsylvania high schools based on three years of results in PSSAs on: reading, math writing and science.[7]

2015 School Performance Profile

Western Beaver County Junior Senior High School achieved 66 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The PDE reported that 73% of the high school’s students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1/math, just 68% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I/science, only 62% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[8] Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.[9][10]

2014 School Performance Profile

Western Beaver County Junior Senior High School achieved 81 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature, 85.7% were on grade level. In Algebra 1/math, 88% showed on grade level skills. In Biology/science, 67.6% demonstrated on grade level science understanding.[11][12] 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%.[13]

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.[14] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[15][16]

2013 School Performance Profile

Western Beaver County Junior Senior High School achieved 78.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 71% were on grade level. In Algebra 1/math, 82% showed on grade level skills. In Biology/science, 49% showed on grade level science understanding.[17] 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, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.[18]

From 2008 to 2012, Western Beaver County Junior Senior High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).[19] In 2006, Western Beaver County Junior Senior High School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement.[20] From 2003 to 2005, the school achieved AYP status each school year.

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.[21] 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.[22]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 76% on grade level, (15% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[23]
• 2011 - 73% (12% below basic). State - 69.1%[24]
• 2010 - 73% (10% below basic). State - 66%[25]
• 2009 - 54% (19% below basic). State - 65%[26]
• 2008 - 72% (13% below basic). State - 65%[27]
• 2007 - 65% (17% below basic). State - 65%[28]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 67% on grade level (18% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[29]
• 2011 - 67% (15% below basic). State - 60.3%[30]
• 2010 - 68% (10% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 57% (15% below basic). State - 56%.
• 2008 - 69% (12% below basic). State - 56%
• 2007 - 41% (42% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 38% on grade level (26% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[31]
• 2011 - 36% (27% below basic). State - 40%[32]
• 2010 - 25% (14% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 39% (18% below basic). State - 40%[33]
• 2008 - 41% (11% below basic). State - 39%[34]

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 32% of the Western Beaver County 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.[35] 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.[36] 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.

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. Pennsylvania State University and University of Pittsburgh offered courses at the High School with seniors getting priority for scheduling. Students may also attend courses at Community College of Beaver County and Clarion University (online courses). The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[37] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[38] For the 2009-10 funding year, Western Beaver County School District received a state grant of $19,125 for the program.[39]

The school offers the following AP courses through district faculty: AP Literature, AP Language, AP Government and AP Environmental Science. Students have the opportunity to take the AP Exam for each course. Students who earn a 3 or better on that exam may be awarded credits in accordance with individual college and university policies. In 2015, the school offered 2 AP courses. In 2014, 23.9% passed the AP exam with a 3 or better.

Through the Regional Choice Initiative (a federally funded program), students have access to many additional course offerings that may be available through different Beaver County high schools, both on-site and through Interactive Video Conferencing. Students are able to participate through interactive video conferencing, full-day transfer or partial-day transfer. The program is run by Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit 27. Just 29% of the pupils who took the courses achieved a 3 or better on the AP exam given by the College Board.[40]

In an effort to retain students who are migrating to Pennsylvania cyber charter schools, the high school offers an online course option. Students take courses offered with flexible scheduling that includes online core coursework (social studies, math, science and English) and classroom electives. Students may complete their coursework at the school building, from home or a combination of both.

The Western Beaver County School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 credits to graduate, including: Math - 4 credits (Algebra 1 required), English - 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education 1.5 credits, Health .5 credit and electives 6 credits which must include 1.5 technology credits.[41][42] Vo-tech students receive a math credit for vo-tech during their senior year.

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.[43] Students earn one credit toward graduation when they complete their graduation project. Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[44]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2018, 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.[45][46][47] 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.[48] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[49]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.[50][51] 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.[52] 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.[53] 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.

In 2014, 33 Western Beaver County School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 478. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 445.[54][55] 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.[56] In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.

In 2013, 35 Western Beaver County School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 467. The Math average score was 488. The Writing average score was 465. 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.[57]

In 2012, Western Beaver County School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 470. The Math average score was 517. The Writing average score was 456. 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, 35 Western Beaver County School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 463. The Math average score was 481. The Writing average score was 455.[58] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[59] 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.[60]

Sixth and seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.[61] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.[62] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[63] In 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.[64]

PSSA Results

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 69% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 59%[70]
• 2011 - 68% (8% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 46% (29% below basic). State – 57%[71]
• 2009 - 57% (19% below basic). State - 55%[72]
• 2008 - 48% (20% below basic). State - 52%

Seventh grade

Dropout Early Warning System

In 2013, Western Beaver County School District did not implement a free state dropout prevention Early Warning System and Interventions Catalog at the junior high school.[73] The process identifies students at risk for dropping out by examining the pupil’s: attendance, behavior and course grades. Interventions are implemented to assist at-risk pupils to remain in school. The program is funded by federal and private dollars.[74]