Purchase Line Junior/Senior High School

Purchase Line High School, named for the boundary line[1] set by William Penn in the late 1700s and the small village surrounding the school, was established in 1954 and serves students in northeast Indiana and southwest Clearfield counties.

Purchase Line Junior/Senior High School
Address
16559 Route 286 Highway

Green Township
,
Pennsylvania
15729

United States
Information
Established1954
School districtPurchase Line School District
PrincipalJames Price
Grades7-12
Number of students513[1]
 • Grade 788
 • Grade 886
 • Grade 9109
 • Grade 1073
 • Grade 1183
 • Grade 1275
Color(s)Red, Gray and White      
Team nameRed Dragons
WebsitePurchase Line J/S HS
Purchase Line SD in Clearfield County
Purchase Line SD in Indiana County

Academics

Starting in 2011, students wishing to graduate from Purchase Line will need 24 credits in order to graduate.[2]

Subject Area# Credits
English4.0
Social Studies4.0
Math4.0
Science3.0
Family & Consumer Science0.5
Microcomputer Concepts0.5
Electives6.5
TOTAL24.0

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.[3] The state's mandate for a graduation project, as a part of the graduation requirements, was abolished by the state in June 2012.

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. must pass the exam to graduate. The 11th grade PSSA were abolished effective 2013.[4][5][6] 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.[7] 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.

Technology

The school has 10 classrooms[8] equipped with interactive whiteboards that permit students to take part in the teaching experience. Using special pens these whiteboards respond to the touch or tap of the pen similar to the use of a mouse on a computer. The school also has several sets of Learner Response Systems.

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. Purchase Line School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07 or in 2007-08. The high school received $83,008 in 2008-09.[9] In Indiana County the highest award was given to Blairsville-Saltsburg School District which received $363,065. In Clearfield County the highest recipient was DuBois Area School District which received $450,202. 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 due to a massive state financial crisis.

Graduation Rate

In 2012, The District's graduation rate was 91%.[10] In 2011, the graduation rate was 89%.[11] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Purchase Line High School's rate was 88% for 2010.[12]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Academic Achievement

Purchase Line Junior Senior High School is located in Commodore, PA. In 2010, it served 510 students grades 7th through 12th grade with 45 teachers. Two hundred ninety students qualified for the federal free lunch due to family poverty.[17]

In 2012, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School declined further to Corrective Action II 2nd Year due to low achievement in reading and mathematics.[18] The school declined to Corrective Action II 1st Year status due to chronic, low student achievement.[19] In 2010, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School was in Corrective Action I status due to continuing low student achievement. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the school's administration to develop a school improvement plan for improving student achievement. They were required to submit the plan to the state for approval. As a part of the plan to improve student achievement, the school offers free tutoring services to struggling students.[20] 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.

11th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 61% on grade level, (19% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[21]
  • 2011 - 76% (10% below basic). State - 69.1% [22]
  • 2010 - 69% (19% below basic). State - 66% [23]
  • 2009 - 69% (17% below basic). State - 65% [24]
  • 2008 - 70% (19% below basic). State - 65% [25]
  • 2007 - 69% (14% below basic). State - 65% [26]
11th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 66% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[27]
  • 2011 - 71% (15% below basic). State - 60.3% [28]
  • 2010 - 70%, (17% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2009 - 65%, (17% below basic). State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 54%, (22% below basic). State - 56%
  • 2007 - 54%, (22% below basic). State - 53%
11th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 57% on grade level (19% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[29]
  • 2011 - 46% (8% below basic). State - 40% [30]
  • 2010 - 44% (16% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 53% (16% below basic). State - 40% [31]
  • 2008 - 47% (8% below basic). State - 39%

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 15% of the Purchase LIne 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, 29 Purchase Line School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 466. The Math average score was 484. The Writing average score was 446. 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.

From January to June 2011, 37 Purchase Line School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 485. The Math average score was 478. The Writing average score was 455.[34] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state 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]

Dual enrollment

Purchase Line 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 at Saint Francis University. 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, the school district received a state grant of $1,620 for the program.[39]

School Improvement Grants

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced in March 2012, that the first-year data suggest student achievement was improving at campuses that participated in the School Improvement grant program. He reported that at nearly 60 percent of SIG schools, more students are demonstrating proficiency in reading and math. Nearly a quarter of those schools reported math improvement in the double digits, and close to 20 percent of schools saw double-digit gains in reading.[40]

In the summer of 2011, the District administration did not apply for School Improvement Grant funding, from the federal government (over $9.9 million available). The high school was eligible for funding due to chronic low achievement. The grant stipulates the funds be used for improving student achievement using one of four federally dictated strategies. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or closure of failing schools.[41] The Pennsylvania Education Secretary awarded $66 million to reform Pennsylvania's lowest achieving schools in August 2011. The funding is for three years.[42]

For the 2010-11 school year, Purchase Line School District administration applied for a School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the junior senior high school and the elementary school. The High School received $46,180.[43]

In 2009-10, Pennsylvania received $141 million from the federal –US Department of Education, to turn around its worst-performing schools. The funds were disbursed via a competitive grant program. Purchase Line Junior Senior High School received $80,676.[44] The Pennsylvania Department of Education has identified 200 Pennsylvania schools as "persistently lowest achieving," making them eligible for this special funding.[45] Pennsylvania required low performing schools to apply or provide documentation about why they had not applied. The funds must be used, by the district, to turn around schools in one of four ways: school closure, restart - close the school and reopen it as a charter school. The other two options involve firing the principal. One would require at least half the faculty in a chronically poor performing school be dismissed. The second involves intensive teacher training coupled with strong curriculum revision or a longer school day.[46]

Vocational Education

Students in grades 10-12 have the opportunity to attend the Indiana County Technology Center in White Township for part of their school day if they wish to obtain training in a specific area that the ICTC offers.

Extracurriculars

The Purchase Line School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and a costly, extensive sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by Purchase Line School Board policy and regulations under the PIAA.

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.[47]

Clubs

The following clubs are available at Purchase Line[48]

  • FBLA
  • Newspaper
  • Iron Club
  • Foreign Language
  • Pep Club
  • Yearbook
  • Music Club
  • Student Council
  • Science Club
  • National Honor Society
  • Varsity Club
  • SADD
  • Quiz Bowl
  • Scholastic Scrimmage
  • Heritage Conference Science Competition

Athletics

Purchase Line is in PIAA District 6's Heritage Conference:[49]

Junior High Athletics

Students in Grades 7-8 may participate in non-championship play in the following sports:[50]

  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Volleyball

References
  1. "Demographics". Purchase Line School District. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  2. "High School Student Handbook". Purchase Line School District. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  3. Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  4. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  5. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview". Archived from the original on 2012-03-17.
  6. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  7. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  8. "Demographics - Technology Info". Purchase Line School District. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  9. Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Classrooms for the Future grants audit" (PDF).
  10. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Purchase Line Junior Senior High School AYP Data Table 2012". Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  11. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Purchase Line School District AYP Data Table". Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  13. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Purchase Line School District Academic Results". Archived from the original on 2012-03-27.
  14. The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  15. The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  16. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-07. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  17. National Center for education Statistics, Common Core Dat Purchase Line Junior Senior High School, 2010
  18. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Purchase Line Junior Senior High School AYP Overview 2012". Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  19. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School AYP Overview2011, September 29, 2011
  20. Purchase Line School District Administration (January 26, 2012). "Free Tutoring for Your Child: Supplemental Education Services".
  21. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2012). "2011-2012 PSSA and AYP Results".
  22. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  23. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  24. The Times-Tribune. (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results".
  25. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  26. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
  27. Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  28. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  29. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Purchase Line Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2012" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  30. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  31. The Times-Tribune. (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  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 2011-10-15.
  35. College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  36. "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
  37. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  38. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  39. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Dual Enrollment Grants 2009 10 Fall Grants by School District".
  40. US Department of Education, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan remarks - "Working in the Nation’s Lowest-Performing Schools: A Progress Report", MARCH 19, 2012
  41. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Pennsylvania School Improvement Planning". Archived from the original on 2012-03-17.
  42. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 23, 2011). "Education Secretary Announces $66 Million Awarded to Reform Pennsylvania Lowest-Achieving Schools".
  43. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "School Improvement grants 2010". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17.
  44. Pennsylvania Department of Education. "School Improvement information".
  45. Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania School Improvement Grant Components_Stat_Requirements". Archived from the original on 2012-11-06.
  46. Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 9, 2010). "Pennsylvania School Improvement Grant Components_Stat_Requirements" (PDF).
  47. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
  48. "Clubs & Groups - Clubs". Purchase Line School District. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  49. "Schools - Directory - Purchase Line High School". PIAA. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  50. "Schools - Directory - Purchase Line Junior High School". PIAA. Retrieved 21 January 2012.

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