Mount Carmel Area High School

In 2015 and 2016, Mount Carmel Area High School remained on the lowest academic achievement school list in the Commonwealth.[17] In 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying one Mount Carmel Area School District school as among the lowest achieving schools statewide for reading and mathematics in 2013.[18] Mount Carmel Area High School was among the 15% lowest achieving schools in the Commonwealth. Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012.[19][20] The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.[21] Fifty-three public schools in Allegheny County are among the lowest-achieving schools in 2011. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District.[22] Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General DiPasquale reported that Mount Carmel Area High School is among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[23][24] He also reported the Pennsylvania Department of Education failed to take any action to remediate the state's poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.[25]

In 2016, Mount Carmel High School's graduation rate was 83.5%.[26]

• 2015 - 87.39%.[27] The nationwide graduation rate was 83%.[28]
• 2014 - 88%.[29]
• 2013 - 87.93%.[30]
• 2012 - 87%.[31]
• 2011 - 94%.
• 2010 - 76.26%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.[32]

Former formula AYP graduation rate:

• 2010 - 93% [33]
• 2009 - 92% [34]
• 2008 - 90% [35]
• 2007 - 90% [36]

School Performance Profile 69.2 out of 100 points.[37] Mount Carmel Area High School Keystone Exams mandated testing results were: 73% of students were on grade level in reading-literature and 65% of students demonstrated on grade level in Algebra I. In Biology I, just 53% of pupils demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the Biology course.[38] The requirement that pupils pass the Keystone Exams in reading, algebra I and bIology I in order to graduate was postponed until 2019 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly because less than 60% of 12 grade pupils statewide would have been eligible for graduation from high school due to failing one or more Keystone Exams.[39] Fifty-four percent of the 2,676 public schools in Pennsylvania achieved a passing score of 70 or better.[40]

Mount Carmel Area High School achieved 57.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The PDE reported that only 65.9% of the High School's students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 59.79% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 53.6% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[41] 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.[42][43]

Mount Carmel Area High School achieved 60.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 66.6% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 63% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 51% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[44][45] Among the high schools in the IU16 region, Mount Carmel's achievement ranked 15th out of 16.[46]

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.[47] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[48][49]

Compared with last year, the percentage of schools that earned below 60 declined by nearly 1 percent per Secretayr of Education Carolyn Dumaresq. She reported that this is an indication that student achievement is improving as school resources are being used better.[50]

Mount Carmel Area High School achieved 56.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - just 68% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 55.66% demonstrated on grade level skills math skills. In Biology, just 37.38% showed on grade level science understanding.[51] 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.[52]

In 2012, Mount Carmel Area High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to missing all academic metrics.[53] In 2011, Mount Carmel Area High School achieved AYP status.[54]

• 2010 - Making Progress School Improvement 1[55]
• 2009 - declined to School Improvement 1 status due to low student academic achievement[56]
• 2008 - declined to Warning AYP status[57]
• 2007 - Achieved AYP status[58]
• 2006 - declined to Warning AYP status
• 2005 - Achieved AYP status
• 2004 - Achieved AYP status
• 2003 - Warning AYP status due to lagging student academic achievement

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes. Additionally, Mount Carmel Area High School administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[59] The High School is eligible for special, targeted funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[60]

Mount Carmel Area 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.[71] Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 21% of Mount Carmel Area 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.[72] 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.[73] 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 Mount Carmel Area 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. In 2010, the state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[74] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[75] 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.[76] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis. For the 2009-10 funding year, Mount Carmel Area School District received a state grant of $13,255 for the program.[77] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.

In 2016, 52 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 463. The Math average score was 481. The Writing average score was 453.[78] The College Board also reported that statewide 92,569 pupils took the exams with average scores declining again in all three measurers to: 494 in reading, 508 in math and 482 in writing.[79] Among the 12 high schools in the CSIU16 region, Mount Carmel Area High School SAT scores ranked 9th locally and was below the state average.[80] Nationally, 1,681,134 students took the SATs.[81]

In 2015, 58 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 477. The Math average score was 481. The Writing average score was 442.[82] The College Board also reported that statewide 96,826 pupils took the exams with average scores declining in all three measurers to: 495 in reading, 511 in math and 484 in writing.[83]

In 2014, Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 468. The Math average score was 473. The Writing average score was 434.[84] 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.[85]

In 2013, 88 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 471. The Math average score was 454. The Writing average score was 447. 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.[86]

In 2012, 72 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 450. The Math average score was 464. The Writing average score was 448. 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.

In 2011, 86 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 460. The Math average score was 465. The Writing average score was 450.[87] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[88] 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.[89]

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.[90]

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, Mount Carmel Area High School offered 5 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. 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 give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Mount Carmel Area High School 10% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[91]

• 2014, Mount Carmel Area High School offered 9 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).[92] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2014, just 15% of Mount Carmel Area pupils who took the AP exam, achieved a 3 or better.[93]
• 2016 - Offered 5 AP Courses with just 5% earning a 3 or better on the AP exam. The cost of the exam $93 per pupil.[94]

Mount Carmel Area School District students have access to Bloomsburg University's Summer College and Advanced College Experience (ACE) during the summer of their sophomore, junior and senior years (after high school graduation). Tuition is deeply discounted to 75% of the regular student rate.[95] Successful students earn college credits that can be transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) system.

Mount Carmel Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2005.[96] 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 consistent with 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." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[97]

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can 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.[98] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

The district offers 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.[99] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[100]

In 2013, the USDA 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.[101] 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.[102] In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.[103] The Food and Drug Administration requires 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.[104]

In 2014, President Barack Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.[105][106]

Mount Carmel Area High School provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. A nurse is available 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.[107][108] Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, high school students are mandated to receive a dose of MCV meningococcal conjugate vaccine for 12th grade entry. The school nurse also monitors each child's weight.[109][110]

In 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health made available to each Pennsylvania high school the overdose antidote drug naloxone in a nasal spray. School nurses were also provided with educational materials and training developed by the National Association of School Nurses.[111] The cost was covered by a grant from a private foundation.[112][113]

Health eTools program

The district participated in Highmark Foundation's Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools grant which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[114] Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued by the company in 2013.[115]

The Mount Carmel Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program.[116] Eligibility for participation is determined by Mount Carmel Area School Board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The Mount Carmel Area School District is a Division I member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.[117] The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region. By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private school, a public cyber charter school, a public charter school and those who are 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.[118]

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the school district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, a Pennsylvania public cyber charter school, charter school and those who are homeschooled, are all 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.[119]

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.[120][121][122]

Mount Carmel Area School District operates an indoor pool which it rents to the general public for pool parties. The district is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website.

• Mount Carmel Area School District
• Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit CSIU16
• Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School
• SusQCyber Charter School