Elizabeth Forward High School

Elizabeth Forward High School is a midsized suburban, four-year comprehensive public high school located in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, as part of the Elizabeth Forward School District. There are over 80 faculty members including a School Psychologist, three Guidance Counselors, and a full-time School Nurse on staff. The Assistant Principal is Mr. Anthony Pascarella, and the Dean of Students is Ms. Mary C. DeFrancesco.^[1]

Location

Elizabeth Forward School District is composed of the Borough of Elizabeth, and the townships of Elizabeth and Forward. Located just south of the city of Pittsburgh, the district lies between the Youghiogheny River and Monongahela River valleys in the southernmost region of Allegheny County.^[2] Communities of Elizabeth Township include Greenock, Mount Vernon, Central, Boston, Buena Vista, Industry, Blaine Hill, Blythedale, Smithdale and Victory. Communities of Forward Township include East Monongahela, Bunola, Sunny Side, River Hill, 51 Estates, and Axelton. Bordering areas include McKeesport, Pleasant Hills, Belle Vernon, Monongahela, West Mifflin, Jefferson Borough, West Elizabeth, and Versailles.

Graduation rate

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Elizabeth Forward School District's rate was 93% for 2010.^[3]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

• 2010 - 95% ^[4]
• 2009 - 91%
• 2008 - 94%
• 2007 - 94% ^[5]

Graduation Requirements

The Elizabeth Forward School Board has determined that a student must earn 26 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Science 4 credits, Technology .5 credits, and Health 0.5 credit, Freshman Seminar 0.5 credits, Senior Project 1 credit, Physical Education 1 credit includes swimming, Arts/Humanities 3 credits, and 3.5 electives.^[6]

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.^[7]

According to Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, 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. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.^[8]

Academic Achievement

In 2010 the high school improved to achieving AYP status. In 2009, the school was in Warning status due to low student achievement.^[9] According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 41% of Elizabeth Forward High School's 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.^[10] 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 ranked 61st out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2011, for academic achievement as reflected by five years of 11th grade results on: math, reading, writing and three years of science PSSAs.^[11]

• 2010 - 78th ^[12]
• 2009 - 86th ^[13]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2010 - 74% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[14]
• 2009 - 66% (11% below basic), State - 65% ^[15]
• 2008 - 64% (16% below basic), State - 65% ^[16]
• 2007 - 71% (18% below basic), State - 65% ^[17]

11th Grade Math:

• 2010 - 69%, on grade level (16% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[18]
• 2009 - 59% (19% below basic). State - 56%.
• 2008 - 55% (23% below basic), State - 56%.
• 2007 - 49% (26% below basic), State - 53%.

11th Grade Science:

• 2010 - 74% on grade level (10% below basic). State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2009 - 66% (11% below basic). State - 40%.^[19]
• 2008 - 24% (12% below basic), State - 39%.

Dual enrollment program

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 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.^[20] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[21] The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.^[22]

In 2010, the Elizabeth Forward School District High School received a state grant of $20,272.00 to assist students in paying for tuition, books and fees.^[23]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs and activities. Eligibility to participate is determined through school board policies.^[24][25]

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.^[26][27]

Marching band

The school has a marching band that competes regularly. There is also an Indoor Color Guard. The Indoor Percussion Ensemble finished its season by winning gold in the Scholastic A Percussion Standstill Division at the Tournament Indoor Association Championships in 2011. Additionally, the school's Indoor Majorettes. The group took first place and was named Scholastic A Class Champion at the 2011 Tournament Indoor Association Chapter 8 Championships. The booster group is extensive and very active in fund raising.

Athletics

School sponsored athletics include ^[28]

Fall Sports

• Cross Country
• Football
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Golf
• Marching Band

Winter Sports

• Basketball
• Hockey
• Indoor Track
• Swimming/Diving
• Wrestling
• Hockey
• skiing/snowboarding

Spring Sports

• Baseball
• Track & Field
• Softball

Rivalries

Elizabeth Forward has several rivalries with other local school districts. The most notable rivalry is with Thomas Jefferson High School. This rivalry is fueled through nearly every sport. Another major rivalry is with Belle Vernon Area High School. Another minor rivalry that has died down is West Mifflin Area High School.

Notable alumni

• Bill Robinson, former right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.^[29]
• Greg Paterra, former running back for the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills.^[30]
• Pete Rostosky, former offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers.^[31]
• Brian Holton, former MLB pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles ^[32] and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Dave Molinari, writer for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Hockey Hall of Fame.^[33]
• J. J. Hoover, relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

References

Coordinates: 40°15′18″N 79°51′22″W / 40.255°N 79.856°W / 40.255; -79.856