West Mifflin Area High School

West Mifflin Area High School
Location
91 Commonwealth Avenue
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 15122
United States Coordinates: 40°22′53″N 79°52′24″W / 40.38139°N 79.87333°W / 40.38139; -79.87333
Information
Type Public High School
Opened 1956
School district West Mifflin Area
Principal Mr. Phillip Woods
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 1212 in 2009[1]
Number of students 2,365
Color(s) Blue and Gold, White Accent
              
Athletics WPIAL Class AAA
Mascot Titan
Rival Thomas Jefferson
Accreditation MSCSS
Yearbook The Titan
Information (412) 466-9131
Website www.wmasd.org/highschool.cfm

School history

The "West Mifflin North High School" first opened its doors on Commonwealth Avenue in West Mifflin in 1960. At that time, it was the only public High School in West Mifflin and did not have a senior class. West Mifflin South High School opened on Camp Hollow Road in the following year, 1961, and became the second public High School in West Mifflin. In 1962 there were two graduating classes in West Mifflin, the class of 1962 from West Mifflin North High School and the class of 1962 from West Mifflin South High School.

Later, West Mifflin South High School closed, leaving one high school open on Commonwealth Avenue named "West Mifflin Area High School". It is West Mifflin Area School District's largest and second most modern facility. A total renovation to the high school campus was completed in 2001, more than doubling the school's size to over 255,000 square feet (23,700 m2) and increasing its form and functionality. Some of the amenities include a swimming pool, a fitness center, countless computer labs, recording studios, one of the largest auditoriums in the area, multiple gymnasiums, an automated Large Group Instruction Room, a greenhouse, as well as an extensive Library Information Center. Currently, through funding from the Classrooms for the Future program, technology has become an abundant resource at the school.

Freshman Academy

The high school was formerly home to a school-within-a-school concept known as the Freshman Academy until the 2011-12 school year. The ninth grade students were taught in an exclusive wing of the complex, where they were guided on career and curriculum choices, school expectations, and given positive reinforcement for academic success. The Academy also had its own principal, strengthening further the community atmosphere of this unique setting.

Academic achievement

In 2010, West Mifflin High School is in Corrective Action I as it failed to meet AYP.[2]

In 2009, West Mifflin Area High School ranked 99th out of 123 high schools in the western Pennsylvania region, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of PSSAs on: reading, writing, math and one year of science.[3]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2009 - 63% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 53%, State - 65%
2007 - 57%, State - 65%[4]

11th Grade Math:
2009 - 50% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.[5]
2008 - 44%, State - 56%
2007 - 45%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science:
2009 - 34% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 27%, State - 39%[6]

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 42% of West Mifflin 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.[7] 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.[8] 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 offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[9] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[10]

Extracurriculars

The high school offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is set by the school board.[11]

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

Alma mater

We salute you alma mater, hail to you West Mifflin High. With honor, truth, and the strength to be, we pledge eternal loyalty to you our alma mater, and the trust we've learned from thee. You'll live forever in our hearts and memories.

References

  1. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Enrollment by school district and school January 2009
  2. ↑ "West Mifflin Area Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010". Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  3. ↑ The Rankings: 11th grades. Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
  4. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report PSSA Math and Reading by school and grade 2007
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education 2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results by School and Grade
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report PSSA Science by school and grade 2008
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania College Remediation Report. January 2009
  8. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics
  9. ↑ 2010-2011 Pennsylvania Department of Education - Dual Enrollment Guidelines.
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement. site accessed March 2010.
  11. ↑ West Mifflin School District Policy Manual - Policy 122 Extracurriculars Policy and Policy 123 Interscholastic Athletics
  12. ↑ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/10/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.