North Hills School District

North Hills School District
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States
District information
Type	Public
Superintendent	Joseph Goodnack
Students and staff
Students	approximately 4,450
Colors	Red & White
Other information
Website	http://www.nhsd.net

The North Hills School District is a public school district in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It serves an area of 14.6 square miles (38 km²), including Ross Township, and West View.

The North Hills School District

The North Hills School District, located in Northern Allegheny County, is a first tier suburb of the city of Pittsburgh. The district comprises Ross Township and West View Borough ~ a 14.6-square-mile (38 km²) area with a population of nearly 40,000.

The two municipalities combine the attractiveness of suburban living with the easily accessible cultural and educational opportunities that Pittsburgh has to offer. Ross Township boasts a strong retail corridor on McKnight Road. Shopping malls, restaurants, specialty shops and other commercial establishments are conveniently located and serve a large portion of Allegheny County. In addition, numerous recreational facilities and parks are located in and adjacent to the two communities.

The North Hills School District consists of seven elementary schools, which serve students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Five of the schools have enrollments less than 300 students. The remaining two elementary schools are medium-size elementary schools, with enrollments under 600. The average elementary class-size in the North Hills School District is 19 students.

The North Hills Junior and Senior high schools share a hilltop campus. The district offers 19 advanced placement courses, college in high school, an honors program as well as opportunities at the A.W. Career Center. Nearly 90 percent of North Hills graduates continue their formal education.

The district provides additional learning opportunities outside of the classroom through clubs, activities and athletics. Currently, there are 41 clubs and activities at the senior high and 17 at the junior high school. Students may choose from among 20 sports at the senior high and 21 at the junior high.

North Hills provides parents and students access to grades, assignments, attendance and other information through a web-based parent portal: ProgressBook. aintains a custom-designed web-based interface called the On-Hands Parent Portal..

The 2008-09 student enrollment in the North Hills School District is 4,450. The district employs approximately 350 teachers and more than 700 total employees.

Schools and Facilities

The District has nine schools overall, and 7 elementary schools with grades K through 6. These are:

• Highcliff Elementary School
  • Principal: Dr. Darlene Tartaglione
  • Enrollment: 200 Students
• McIntyre Elementary School
  • Principal: Amy Mathieu
  • Enrollment: 259
• Northway Elementary School
  • Principal: Dr. Joseph Pasquerilla
  • Enrollment: 269
• Perrysville Elementary School
  • Principal: Elaine Obidowski
  • Enrollment: 236
• Ross Elementary School
  • Principal: David C. Lieberman
  • Enrollment: 520
• Seville Elementary School
  • Principal: Lindsay Haulk
  • Enrollment: 179
• West View Elementary School
  • Principal: Frank Brettschneider
  • Enrollment: 515
• North Hills Junior High School
  • Grades: 7-9
  • Principal: John Kreider
  • Enrollment: 1,187
• North Hills Senior High School
  • Grades: 10-12
  • Principal: Patrick Mannarino
  • Enrollment: 1,337

Academics

As of the 2008-09 academic year, 100% of the teachers in the North Hills School District have met or exceeded the national standards for highly qualified teachers, and 62% of the teachers in the district possess advanced degrees. Each of the district's nine schools exceeded the national standards as set by the No Child Left Behind Act. The district's schools average between 80% and 100% success rates in the reading, writing, and mathematics PSSA tests. The North Hills High School's graduation rate is consistently over 90%.

In 2008, three North Hills School District teachers were among 101 honorees in the annual Teachers of Excellence awards, sponsored by the Teacher Excellence Center. The Teacher Excellence Center received 65 nominations for 40 North Hills School District teachers. The Teacher Excellence Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to professional development of teachers and recognizing teacher excellence in southwestern Pennsylvania North People News, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Libraries

The North Hills School District is extremely proud of the district's library program. The program strongly emphasizes teacher/librarian collaboration and information literacy. Each library is staffed with a highly qualified librarian and each library actively participates in AccessPa Power Library Program which allows students and staff to access quality resources 24 hours a day. In 2006, one of the librarians was recognized as a Pennsylvania Keystone Educator.

Arts and Athletics

Extracurricular activities are an integral part of the educational program at the North Hills School District. As a provider of learning opportunities that complement the classroom, extracurricular activities are supported by the members of the North Hills School Board of Education. The district offers 43 activities at the senior high, 17 at the junior high and six at each of the seven elementary schools as well as a district-wide elementary chorus.

North Hills boasts successful programs in the arts. The drama club has produced both fall plays and spring musicals annually since 1989, and boasts one of the oldest theatre programs of any Allegheny County public school. The district's annual Arts Alive program is a favorite community-based activity in May. The North Hills High School Marching Band has been featured in several parades, including the 2001 Presidential Inaugurual Parade, and has performed at several Pittsburgh Steelers football games.

In April 2007, the North Hills High School Marching Band was featured in the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and parade in Washington D.C. In the fall of 2007, the annual marching band festival featured the performance of an alumni band. In April 2008, Members of the North Hills Senior High School Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Orchestra and performed in Chicago earned multiple honors. Competing against eight instrumental groups from Ontario, Illinois, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania, each of the ensembles received awards in the AAA division.

North Hills prides itself on its football program. The North Hills Indians have enjoyed much success including:

• 13 Conference Championships: 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008
• 4 WPIAL Championships: 1982, 1985, 1987, 1993
• 1 PIAA State Championship: 1993
• 1 USA Today National High School Football championship: 1987

The district has had success in other sports as well, including Cross Country, Softball, Track and Field, Soccer, and many others.

School Renovations

In August 2007, the district completed a $26 million renovation on the Senior High School facility. The renovation improved and modernized the science labs, added an auxiliary gymnasium and fitness center, and increased internet connections throughout the building. The renovation also included a refurbished auditorium, adding new seats, expanding the stage area, and updating the technical facilities; and refurbishing the gymnasium, including a new floor and expanded bleachers.

More recently, North Hills School District proposed a renovation program for the elementary schools. The renovation program has been highly controversial because it proposed the elimination of Northway, Perrysville and Seville Elementary Schools. Three elementary schools, Highcliff, McIntyre and Ross, are scheduled for renovation. The $15 million renovation plan for McIntyre Elementary School will double the capacity from 250 to 500 students.

External links

• North Hills School District's website
• North Hills Senior High School Library's website
• North Hills' Sports website
• North Hills Girls Lacrosse website