Sayre Area High School

Sayre Area High School
Address
333 West Lockhart Street Sayre, Pennsylvania, Bradford County 18840 United States of America
Information
Type	Public
School board	9 locally elected members
Superintendent	Dr Sherry E Griggs (contract July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2019)[1][2] Mr. Dean W Hostermen, M'Ed (salary $123,189 in 2009 and $143,630 2013)[3]
Administrator	Samuel G Moore, Business Manager, salary $86,454 (2013) Debra R Moore, Head of Health and Welfare salary $77,788 (2013)
Principal	Dayton M Handrick, HS salary $99,104 (2013) Daniel Polinski, Vice Principal salary $88,250 (2013)
Faculty	36 teachers (2013)[4] 71 in 2010
Grades	7-12
Age	12 years old to 21 years old special education
Pupils	473 pupils (2015)[5] 482 pupils (2013)[6] 525 pupils (2009)[7] 567 pupils (2006)
• Grade 7	85 (2014), 87 (2010)
• Grade 8	89 (2014), 92
• Grade 9	84 (2014), 101
• Grade 10	71 (2014), 77
• Grade 11	69 (2014), 77
• Grade 12	75 (2014), 96 (2010)
Language	English
Color(s)	Red and Blue
Fight song	On The Warpath
Mascot	Redskins Redskins
Newspaper	Sayrenade
Tuition	for nonresident and charter school students HS - $10,643.49[8]
Per pupil spending	$11,603 in 2008
Per pupil spending	$13,137.51 in 2010
Website	http://www.sayresd.org/

Sayre Area High School is a rural combined junior–senior high school located in Sayre, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The School serves two noncontiguous areas: the Boroughs of Sayre and South Waverly, and Litchfield Township, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. In 2015, enrollment was 473 pupils in 7th grade through 12th grade, with 43.7% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to the family meeting the federal federal poverty level. Additionally, 10.9% of pupils received special education services, while 3.8% of pupils were identified as gifted.^[9] The School employed 36 teachers.^[10] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[11] It is the sole junior high school and sole high school operated by the Sayre Area School District. The school is not a federally designated Title I school.

Per the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2013, Sayre Area High School reported an enrollment of 482 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 207 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 36 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.^[12] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of Sayre Area High School teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[13]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Sayre Area High School reported an enrollment of 525 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 222 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The School employed 30 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1.^[14] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[15]

Sayre Area High School students may choose to attend the Northern Tier Career Center for training in: construction and mechanical trades; practical nursing; CDL license; auto mechanics; cosmetology and food production management. Sayre Area is one of eight participating districts that send students to the tech school.^[16] The BLaST Intermediate Unit IU17 provides the School with a wide variety of services like: specialized education for disabled students; state mandated training on recognizing and reporting child abuse; speech and visual disability services; criminal background check processing for prospective employees and professional development for staff and faculty.

Graduation rate

In 2015, Sayre Area School District's graduation rate was 85.7%.^[17]

• 2014 - 83.5%^[18]
• 2013 - 87.8% ^[19]
• 2012 - 87%.^[20]
• 2011 - 88%.^[21] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Sayre Area High School's rate was 81% for 2010.^[22]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 87%^[23]
• 2009 - 81%^[24]
• 2008 - 90%^[25]
• 2007 - 90%^[26]

Academics

2015 school performance profile

Sayre Area High School achieved a score of 81 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The PDE reported that 77% of the High School's students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, only 56% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 74.6% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.^[27] Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.^[28]

Among Sayre Area High School 8th graders, 43% were reading on grade level, while just 10% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In Science, 68% showed on grade level achievement. In seventh grade (7th), 40% were reading on grade level and just 12% performed math skills on grade level.^[29]

2014 school performance profile

Sayre Area High School achieved 75.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 77.9% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 62% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 65% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. In 8th grade writing, 70.5% demonstrated on grade level writing skills.^[30][31] 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%.^[32]

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.^[33] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.^[34][35]

2013 school performance profile

Sayre Area High School achieved 63.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 68% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 60% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 48% showed on grade level science understanding.^[36] 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.^[37]

Adequate Yearly Progress status

In 2012, Sayre Area High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status, due to missing all academic metrics measured in reading and mathematics.^[38] In 2010 and 2011, Sayre Area High School achieved AYP status, even though the student reading and math achievement were below statewide achievement levels.^[39] From 2004 to 2009, Sayre Area High School achieved AYP status each school year. In 2003, Sayre Area High School was in Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement.

PSSA results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (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.^[40] In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/Literature and Biology I. The exams are given at the end of the applicable course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.^[41]

11th grade reading

• 2012 - 61% on grade level, (20% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[42]
• 2011 - 66% (25% below basic). State - 69.1%^[43]
• 2010 - 73% (7% below basic). State - 66%^[44]
• 2009 - 71% (9% below basic). State - 65%^[45]
• 2008 - 61% (19% below basic). State - 65%^[46]
• 2007 - 69% (14% below basic). State - 65%^[47]

11th grade math

• 2012 - 59% on grade level (26 below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[48]
• 2011 - 68% (18% below basic). State - 60.3%^[49]
• 2010 - 60% (22% below basic). State - 59%^[50]
• 2009 - 57% (20% below basic). State - 56%.^[51]
• 2008 - 53% (24% below basic). State - 56%^[52]
• 2007 - 52% (23% below basic). State - 53%^[53]

11th grade science

• 2012 - 45% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[54]
• 2011 - 38% (15% below basic). State - 40%^[55]
• 2010 - 40% (13% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 48% (9% below basic). State - 40%^[56]
• 2008 - 39% (11% below basic). State - 39%^[57]

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 11% of the 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.^[58] 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.^[59] 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

Sayre Area High School offers dual enrollment program, which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits through Corning Community College, while still enrolled in high school. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[60] 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.^[61] The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.^[62] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.

AP courses

In 2015, Sayre Area School District did not offer any Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Graduation requirements

The Sayre Area School Board has determined that a student must earn 24.25 credits to graduate, including: Math 3 credits, Science 4 credits, English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Health and Physical Ed 2.5 credits, Driver Ed .25 credits, Arts and Humanities 2 credits, and Microsoft Office 0.5 credits.^[63]

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.^[64] At Sayre Area a complex project is required that has multiple components, including a project notebook, completion of community service hours, a written paper and an oral presentation with a visual component. 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.^[65]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2019,^[66] students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature.^[67][68][69] 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.^[70] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The exam is now given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.^[71]

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.^[72][73] 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.^[74] 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.^[75] 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, 48 Sayre Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 480. The Math average score was 490. The Writing average score was 459.^[76][77] 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.^[78] In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.

In 2013, 49 Sayre Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 482. The Writing average score was 469. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.^[79]

In 2012, 46 Sayre Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 491. The Math average score was 515. The Writing average score was 480. 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.

In 2011, 74 Sayre Area students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 472. The Math average score was 487. The Writing average score was 428.^[80] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[81] 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.^[82]

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.^[83]

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.

Eighth grade

Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.^[84] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.^[85] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[86] In 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.^[87]

8th grade science

• 2011 - 62% on grade level (19% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 53% (23% below basic). State – 57%^[88]
• 2009 - 73% (7% below basic). State - 55%^[89]
• 2008 - 64% (13% below basic). State - 52%^[90]
• 2007 - tested, but results not made public.

Seventh grade

Seventh grades have been annually tested in reading and mathematics since 2006.

Dropout early warning system

In 2013, Sayre Area School District did not implement a no cost dropout prevention Early Warning System and Interventions Catalog at the school.^[91] The process identifies students at risk for dropping out by examining the pupil's: attendance, behavior and course grades. Interventions are implemented to assist at-risk pupils to remain in school. The program is funded by federal and private dollars.^[92]

Grants

Sayre Area did not apply to participate in the states Project 720 High School Reform grants program.^[93]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided public school districts with hundreds of thousands in 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 for three years, from 2006-2009. The Sayre Area School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the District received $160,063. The District received another $45,413 in 2008-09 for a total state funding of $205,476.^[94] In Bradford County, the highest award was given to Troy Area School District - $449,423. 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 by Governor Edward Rendell, due to a massive state financial crisis.

School safety and bullying

The Sayre Area High School administration reported there were two incidents of bullying in the District in 2015. Additionally, there were multiple assaults and three sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in one incident at the school, with no arrests made.^{[95] [96]} Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online. Nationally, nearly 20% of pupils report being bullied at school.^[97]

The Sayre Area School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.^[98] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.^[99] The Center for Schools and Communities works in with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.^[100][101] According to the Center for Disease Control's biannual national study of high school students in 2009, five percent of Pennsylvania students did not go to school for at least one day because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to or from school.^[102]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.^[103]

Sayre Area High School did not participate in Pennsylvania School Resource Officer and Police Officer grants in 2012-2014.^[104][105]

Wellness policy

Sayre Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2012.^[106] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The District's policy includes an effort for students to accumulate at least sixty minutes of physical activity. That time will include physical activity outside the school environment, such as outdoor play at home and community sports. The policy establishes a Wellness Committee made up of community members, school employees, a parent and a student.

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district could be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.^[107] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Sayre Area High School provides both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[108] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[109]

In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[110] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.^[111] The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandates that Districts raise their full pay lunch prices every year until the price of non-subsidized lunches equals the amount the federal government reimburses schools for free meals. That subsidy in 2013-2014 was $2.93. In 2015, federal reimbursement rates were: $3.07 per meal for students who are income-eligible for free lunches and $2.67 for those who qualify for a reduced price. School lunch participation nationally dropped from 31.6 million students in 2012 to 30.4 million in 2014, according to the federal Department of Agriculture. Pennsylvania statistics show school lunch participation dropped by 86,950 students in the same two years, from 1,127,444 in 2012 to 1,040,494 in 2014.^[112]

In 2014, President Barack Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.^[113][114]

The US Department of Agriculture regulations require that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.^[115][116]

Sayre Area High School provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. A nurse is available in the building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health's extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[117][118] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.^[119]

In 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health distributed to each Pennsylvania high school the overdose antidote drug naloxone in nasal spray form. School nurses were also provided with educational materials and training developed by the National Association of School Nurses.^[120] The cost was covered by a grant from a private foundation.^[121]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, publicly funded sports program.^[122] Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.^[123][124]

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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.^[125]

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.^{[126][127][128]}

Sports

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid. Earnings as a coach increase the person's annual pension.^[129] The District is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its own website.^[130]

According to Pennsylvania's Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.^[131][132]

Sayre Area School District operates an indoor pool which it had to shut down during the 2015 budget crisis.

Varsity

Junior High School sports

Source - PIAA directory July 2015^[133]

References