Burrell High School

Burrell High School was ranked 46th out of 122 western Pennsylvania high schools, in 2012, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs on: math, reading, writing and science. In 2010, the high school ranked 48th among local high schools.[3] (includes 105 districts in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County and Westmoreland County excludes Duquesne City SD & Midland Borough SD due to no high schools)

In 2011, Burrell High School's graduation rate was 94%.[4] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Burrell High School's rate was 86% for 2010.[5]

According to former graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 94%
• 2009 - 94%[6]
• 2008 - 96%
• 2007 - 96% [7]

In 2011 and 2010, Burrell High School achieved AYP status.[8]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 79% on grade level, (9% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[9]
• 2010 - 73% (8% below basic). State - 66%[10]
• 2009 - 68% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
• 2008 - 75%, State - 65%

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 74%, on grade level (11% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[11]
• 2010 - 68%, (21% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 57%, State - 56% [12]
• 2008 - 64%, State - 56%[13]

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 41% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[14]
• 2010 - 44% (11% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 34%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 34%, State - 39%[15]

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 16% of Burrell 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.[16] 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.[17] 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.

In 2010-2011, 103 Burrell School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 503. The Math average score was 520. The Writing average score was 497.[18] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[19] 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.[20]

Burrell 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. Burrell School District has a concurrent agreement with Clarion University. Originally, the state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[21] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[22] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $26,878 for the program. In 2012, the Board approved Clarion University providing online course offerings to seniors and juniors at a cost of $300 per course. Courses include in the program are: biology, communication, computer science, education, English, history of jazz, math, meteorology, psychology, physical science and sociology.

Burrell High School students have access to AP Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The participation rate at Burrell High School is 6 percent in 2010. Options include: English AP Literature and Composition, Calculus AP, Chemistry AP, Economics AP, and US Government and Politics AP.

Summer Credit Recovery Registration is provided online. Students may take core courses at a cost of $125 per credit in 2012. The program is provided online and is available to students from other school districts. The program in 2012 featured 6 math courses (pre algebra, algebra, geometry, algebra II); eleven English courses and a speech course; five science courses focused on the PA academic standards, including Biology; six middle school and high school social studies courses and a health course. Students may use their own computer from home or use a computer at the high school.[23]

Burrell School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24.36 credits to graduate, including: math 3 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Speech 0.5 credits, Portfolio 1 credit, Personal finance 0.5 credit, Physical Education and swim 1.36 credits, health 1 credit, and electives 5.5 credits.[24]

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.[25]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 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.[26][27][28] 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.[29] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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 2006-2009. The Burrell School District was denied funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district administration did not apply for funding. The high school received $105,874 in 2008-09.[30] In Westmoreland County the highest award was given to Franklin Regional School District - $449,073. 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.

According to district policy, students may bring their own technology and have access to the district's network.

The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. Burrell School Board determines eligibility to participate.[31][32][33]

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 home schooled, 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.[34] In 2009, the school was ordered to permit a parochial student to participate in band.[35]

• Official website