Ford City High School

• 2013 - 90%
• 2012 - 85%[5]
• 2011 – 89%[6]
• 2010 – 88%[7]
• 2009 - 91%[8]
• 2008 - 93%

In 2013, Ford City Senior High School’s eleventh (11th) grade ranked 68th out of 105 western Pennsylvania high schools, by the Pittsburgh Business Times, based on the last three years of student academic achievement in Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) in: reading, math, writing and science.[9] (Includes high schools in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County) In 2012, the eleventh grade ranked 74th among schools in the western Pennsylvania region. In 2009, Ford City Junior-Senior High School was ranked 81st out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools, by the Pittsburgh Business Times, for student academic achievement as demonstrated on three years of PSSAs on: reading, writing, math and one year of science.[10]

2013 School Performance Profile

Ford City Junior Senior High School achieved 68.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 73.78% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 76% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 57% showed on grade level science understanding. Eighth grade writing was 67% of students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[11] 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, they now take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.

Ford City Junior Senior High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.[22] Clarion University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

The Ford City 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. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[23] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[24] For the 2009-10 funding year, the Armstrong School District received a state grant of $12,125 for the program.

A total of 20 dual enrollment course options are currently available in the district throughout the school year in areas such as Music, Art, Psychology, Anthropology, Algebra, Calculus, Microeconomics, Spanish, French, History, and Political Science. ASD partners with Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Butler County Community College (BC3) and California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U) to offer these courses. The course costs are deeply discounted up to 75% off.

In 2013, Ford City Junior Senior High School's eighth (8th) grade ranked 84th out of 149 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on the last three years of student academic achievement in Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) in: reading, math, writing and science.[25] In 2012, 87th among western Pennsylvania public schools. In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 93rd out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.[26] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County and Washington County.)

PSSA History

8th grade Reading:

• 2012 - 81% on grade level (4% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[17]
• 2011 - 85%, (5% below basic). State - 81.8%
• 2010 – 76%, (9% below basic). State - 81%
• 2009 – 81%, (6% below basic). State – 80%

8th grade Math:

• 2012 - 88% on grade level (4% below basic). State - 76%
• 2011 - 79% (9% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 – 69% (12% below basic). State - 75% [27]
• 2009 – 83% (5% below basic). State – 71%[28]

8th grade Science:

• 2012 - 61% on grade level (13% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 68% (16% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 – 54% (25% below basic). State – 57%
• 2009 – 57% (19% below basic). State – 55% [29]

In 2013, Ford City Junior Senior High School seventh (7th) grade ranked 61st out of 150 western Pennsylvania middle/junior high school seventh grades.[30] In 2012, the seventh grade ranked 70th in the western Pennsylvania region.

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 20% of the Armstrong 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.[31] 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.[32] 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 2013, Ford City Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The School's Verbal Average Score was 488. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 484. 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.[33]

In 2012, 65 Ford City Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The School's Verbal Average Score was 468. The Math average score was 488. The Writing average score was 452. 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, 69 Ford City Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The School's Verbal Average Score was 471. The Math average score was 483. The Writing average score was 449.[34] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states 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]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education 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.[37]

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.

In 2013, Ford City Junior Senior High School offered 5 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education institutions give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools also give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Ford City Junior Senior High School just 33% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[38]

The Armstrong School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25 credits to graduate, including: a required class every year in math 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education, Computer Science 0.5 credit, Community Service Learning .25 credit, Public speaking 0.5 credit, Living on Your Own 0.5 credit, Driver Education Theory 0.3 credit and other electives.[39] Beginning in grade 7, students have the opportunity to make up a maximum of two courses failed during the school year in summer school.

Driver Education Theory is scheduled in grade ten as a required course. Behind-the- wheel driving lessons (six total hours) may be scheduled during after-school hours and after the Driver Education Theory course is completed. A $50 fee is charged for behind- the-wheel lessons.

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.[40] 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.[41]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[42] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[43]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.[44][45] 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.[46] 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.[47] 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 Individual Education Plan (IEP).

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. The Armstrong School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district received $413,503. The district received $181,651 in 2008-09 for a total funding $595,154.[48] Among the public school districts in Armstrong County the highest award was given to Armstrong School District. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

Students who live in the Armstrong School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates at Armstrong School District for the Junior High Schools and Senior High Schools is $11,468.59.[49]

The Armstrong School District administration reported there were six incidents of bullying in the district in 2012.[50] Additionally, there were three incidents involving local police. There was an incident of terroristic threats and the Possession/Use of a Controlled Substances.[51] Each year, the school safety data is reported by the Armstrong School District Administration to the Safe School Center which publishes the reports online.

The Armstrong School Board has provided the District's antibully policy online.[52] By state law, Pennsylvania public 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 the Board is required to review its policy every three years. Additionally, Armstrong School District is mandated to conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[53] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership 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.[54][55]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[56]

The Armstrong School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and a costly, extensive sports program. Armstrong School Board determines eligibility policies to participate in these programs.[57][58]

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.[59]