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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.
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====
==AP Courses==
In 2014, Mifflin County High School offered 8 [[Advanced Placement]] (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Berwick Area High School requires students to take the AP exam if they take an AP course. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/exam/calendar/190165.html |title=Exam Fees and Reductions: 2015 |author=College Board |year=2014}}</ref> The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. 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 Mifflin County High School 34.94% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.<ref>PDE, School Performance Profile - Academic Performance Data - High School, December 2014</ref>
In 2014, Mifflin County High School offered 8 [[Advanced Placement]] (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Berwick Area High School requires students to take the AP exam if they take an AP course. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/exam/calendar/190165.html |title=Exam Fees and Reductions: 2015 |author=College Board |year=2014}}</ref> The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. 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 Mifflin County High School 34.94% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.<ref>PDE, School Performance Profile - Academic Performance Data - High School, December 2014</ref>


In 2013, Mifflin County School District provided 4 AP courses with just 13.86% achieving a 3 or better on the exam.
In 2013, Mifflin County School District provided 4 AP courses with just 13.86% achieving a 3 or better on the exam.

==Tuition==
Students who live in the District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Mifflin County School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates were High School - $7,835.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=509670&mode=2 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |title=Pennsylvania Public School District Tuition Rates |date=May 2012}}</ref>


==Extracurriculars==
==Extracurriculars==

Revision as of 10:20, 11 March 2015

Mifflin County High School
Address
Map
501 Sixth Street

Lewistown
,
Mifflin County
,
Pennsylvania
17044

United States
Information
School typePublic High School
EstablishedJune, 2011
School board9 locally elected members serve 4 year terms
School districtMifflin County
Local authorityMifflin County School District
SuperintendentMr. James A. Estep
School code392-263
PrincipalMr. Mark Crosson
Faculty78 teachers
Grades10-12
Age15 years old to 21 years old special education
Number of students1226 pupils (2014)[1]
1,272 pupils (2012)[2]
 • Grade 10402 (2013), 405 (2012)
 • Grade 11394 (2013), 424
 • Grade 12429 (2013), 360 (2012)
 • Grade 1321
LanguageEnglish
Color(s)Purple, Black, Silver
AthleticsPIAA District VI
Athletics conferenceMid-Penn Conference
MascotHusky
Team nameHuskies
Feeder schoolsMifflin County Junior High School, <bf> Mifflin County Middle School
Websitehttp://www.mcsdk12.org/mchs
School District region in Mifflin County

Mifflin County High School, is a mid sized, rural public high school. It is the sole high school of the Mifflin County School District, serves 1,272 students in Grades 10-12 and was established in 2011, merging the district's two former high schools (Indian Valley and Lewistown Area). This move was due to budget cuts and aging facilities in the other schools.[3] Meanwhile, Mifflin County High School completed construction of this $64 million[4] dollar facility in 2011, in time for the school's opening.

In 2014, enrollment was reported as 1,226 pupils in 10th through 12th grades, with 38.9% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 11.9% of pupils received special education services, while 1.2% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 76 teachers.[5] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, Mifflin County HIgh School reported an enrollment of 1,220 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 454 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2012, the School employed 71.6 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 17:1.[6] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[7]

Students may choose to attend Mifflin-Juniata Career and Technology Center for training in the building trades, allied health services and culinary arts. The Tuscarora Intermediate Unit IU11 provides the School with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Vocational-Education

Students of Mifflin County may pursue a vocational trade at the nearby Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown for part of their school day while attending MCHS for the other half.

Graduation rate

In 2014, the District’s graduation rate was 84.2%.[8]

  • 2013 - 87.68% [9]
  • 2012 - 83.7%.[10]

2014 School Performance Profile

Mifflin County High School achieved 78.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 60.49% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 62% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, 38.8% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[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

Mifflin County High School achieved 68.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 70.5% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 58.59% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 28.86% 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]

AYP History

In 2012, Mifflin County High School was in Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status, due to missing all eight of the reading and mathematics metrics measured.[19] Effective with Spring 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education discontinued administering the PSSA's to 11th graders.

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, 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.[20] 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.[21]

11th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 55% on grade level, (26% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[22]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 56% on grade level (25% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[23]

11th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 35% on grade level (16% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[24]

Science in Motion Mifflin County 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.[25] Juniata College provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 15% of Mifflin County 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.[26][27] 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.[28] 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

Mifflin County 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. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[29] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[30] 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.[31]

Graduation requirements

Students must earn the following 23 credits to receive a diploma from the Mifflin County School District: English 4 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, Science 2 credits, Biology 1 credit, Social Studies 3 credits, Computer 0.5 credit, Fitness 2 credits, Health 0.5 credit, and Electives 6 credits. When a student successfully completes course work at the Career and Technology Center in 10th, 11th and 12th grades, he/she is exempted from taking the senior year social studies and senior year math courses.[32]

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.[33] 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.[34]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[35] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[36]

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.[37][38] 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.[39] 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.[40] 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.

SAT scores

In 2014, 206 Mifflin County School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 483. The Math average score was 505.7. The Writing average score was 457.[41][42] 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.[43]

In 2013, 184 Mifflin County School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 485. The Math average score was 515. The Writing average score was 455. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nation-wide SAT results were the same as in 2012.[44]

In 2012, 197 Mifflin County School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 495. The Writing average score was 452. 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.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 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.[45]

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 2014, Mifflin County High School offered 8 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Berwick Area High School requires students to take the AP exam if they take an AP course. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).[46] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. 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 Mifflin County High School 34.94% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[47]

In 2013, Mifflin County School District provided 4 AP courses with just 13.86% achieving a 3 or better on the exam.

Tuition

Students who live in the District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Mifflin County School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates were High School - $7,835.[48]

Extracurriculars

Mifflin County School 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 residing in the district, including those who attend a private non-public school, cyber charter school, charter school, or homeschool, 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.[49]

Athletics

MCHS participates in PIAA District VI.[50] However, due to the lack of Class AAAA schools in District VI, Mifflin County is part of the Mid-Penn Conference. In April 2012, the Mifflin County School Board approved raising the extracurricular fee from $75 to $135 per athlete per year. The decision saved four sports (junior high girls and boys soccer, junior high softball and varsity indoor winter track) which were to be eliminated due to a funding shortfall. The District spends over $500,000 a year providing sports in the junior high and high school.[51]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "Mifflin County School District Fast Facts 2014".
  2. ^ "MCSD Administration". Miflin County School District. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  3. ^ Cannon, Joe (1 July 2011). "Board Approves Budget". Lewistown Senteniel. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  4. ^ "In Mifflin County, PA budget cuts are severely hurting education". learningmatters.tv. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  5. ^ US News and World Report, Best High Schools, 2014
  6. ^ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core Data - Mifflin County High School, 2012
  7. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers High School 2012, September 21, 2012
  8. ^ PDE, Graduation rate by LEA, 2014
  9. ^ PDE, Graduation rate by LEA, 2013
  10. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Mifflin County School District AYP Data Table 2012".
  11. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "Mifflin County High School Academic Performance Data 2014".
  12. ^ Evamarie Socha (November 6, 2014). "Half of Valley districts see state test scores decline". The Daily Item.
  13. ^ By Eleanor Chute (November 21, 2014). "Pennsylvania student scores declined with reduced funding, test results show". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  14. ^ 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
  15. ^ Kathy Boccella, Dylan Purcell, and Kristen A. Graham, (November 6, 2014). "Pa. school rankings: Downingtown STEM No. 1; Phila. falters". Philadelphia Inquirer.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Jan Murphy (November 6, 2014). "More Pa. school scores decline than improve, state report card shows". Pennlive.com.
  17. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mifflin County High School Academic Performance Data 2013, October 4, 2013
  18. ^ Eleanor Chute and Mary Niederberger (December 11, 2013). "New assessment shows fuller picture of Pa. schools". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  19. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, (September 21, 2012). "Mifflin County High School Academic Report Card 2012".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  20. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Academic Standards".
  21. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "State Assessment System".
  22. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  23. ^ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Mifflin County High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012" (PDF).
  25. ^ The Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnership, Science in Motion annual report, 2012
  26. ^ Jan Murphy (January 30, 2009). "Report: One-third of local high schoolers unprepared for college". Pennlive.com.
  27. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report 2009".
  28. ^ National Center for Education Statistics
  29. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2010-2011 Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  30. ^ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  31. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  32. ^ Mifflin County School District Administration and School Board (September 28, 2007). "Mifflin County School District Strategic Plan 2007-2013 Academic Standards and Assessment Chapter 4".
  33. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  34. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  35. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  36. ^ Megan Harris (September 12, 2013). "Pennsylvania changing high school graduation requirements". Tribune Live.
  37. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  38. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  39. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Finalizes Adoption of Pennsylvania Common Core State Academic Standards and High School Graduation Requirements, March 14, 2013
  40. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  41. ^ PDE, School Performance profile, November 6, 2014
  42. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "SAT and ACT Scores".
  43. ^ College Board (2014). "2014 College-Bound Seniors State Profile Report" (PDF).
  44. ^ College Board (2013). "The 2013 SAT Report on College & Career Readiness".
  45. ^ The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (August 2006). "SAT Scores and Other School Data".
  46. ^ College Board (2014). "Exam Fees and Reductions: 2015".
  47. ^ PDE, School Performance Profile - Academic Performance Data - High School, December 2014
  48. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2012). "Pennsylvania Public School District Tuition Rates".
  49. ^ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  50. ^ "Schools - Directory - Mifflin County High School". PIAA. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  51. ^ Cannon, Joe., Activity fee soars in order to save 4 athletic teams, Lewistown Sentinel, April 27, 2012

40°37′31″N 77°34′10″W / 40.62537°N 77.56948°W / 40.62537; -77.56948

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