Valley View High School (Pennsylvania)


Valley View High School is a suburban public high school located in Archbald, Pennsylvania. It is the sole high school operated by the Valley View School District. In 2014, enrollment was reported as 800 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 27% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 11.7% of pupils received special education services, while 2.6% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 52 teachers. Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Valley View High School has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. Valley View HIgh School is not a federally designated Title I school.
Valley View High School students may choose to attend the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County for training in the construction and mechanical trades. The Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit IU19 provides the school with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, background checks for employees, state mandated recognizing and reporting child abuse training, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, the Valley View High School reported an enrollment of 825 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 210 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2012, Valley View HIgh School employed 52 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.

History

The Valley View School District was established in 1969 after the schools of Archbald, Blakely, and Jessup decided to combine and form a larger school. A contest was held to name the school throughout Archbald and Blakely. The cougar was chosen as the mascot and the colors became blue, gold, and white.

Graduation rate

In 2014, the district’s graduation rate was 96.9.
;2014 School Performance Profile:
Valley View High School achieved 92.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 80% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 64% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, just 77% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. 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%.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools, achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.
;2013 School Performance Profile:
Valley View High School achieved 88.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 84% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 74% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, only 67% showed on grade level science understanding. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 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.

AYP history

In 2012, Valley View High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress. State – 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.
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According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 25% of Valley View 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. 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. 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.

Graduation requirements

The Valley View School Board has determined that students must earn 28 credits to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Math 3 credits, Science 3 credits, Health & Physical Education 2.8 credits, Practical Arts &/or Humanities 2 credits and 8 electives.
For nearly two decades, 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. 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.
By Pennsylvania State 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 respective Keystone Exams for each course. The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.
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. 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. 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. 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 may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

Dual enrollment

Valley View School District offers a dual enrollment program. Dual Enrollment is a state education program which allows high school students to attend Pennsylvania colleges and universities while remaining enrolled at their high school. The credits students earn count towards both: high school graduation and earn college credits. Colleges offer the credits at a deeply discounted rate. Students have full access to their high school's extracurricular programs and participate in the high school's graduation event. Using Pennsylvania's PATRAC system, students identify PA colleges and universities that have agreed to accept these credits. Valley View School District received a state grant of $12,413 to assist students with the cost of books, tuition and fees. In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students.

SAT scores

In 2014, 161 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 498. The Writing average score was 487. 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. In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.
In 2013, 163 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 492. The Math average score was 508. The Writing average score was 481. 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.
In 2012, 151 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 486. The Math average score was 496. The Writing average score was 484. 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, 152 Valley View School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 484. The Math average score was 505. The Writing average score was 471. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal – 493, Math – 501, Writing – 479. In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.
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.
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.

AP Courses

In 2014, Valley View High School offered 4 Advanced Placement courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam is $91. The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. 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 Valley View School District the AP courses are weighted. At Valley View High School just 14% of the students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam. In 2013, 11% of the students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.

Extracurricular activities

The school has numerous clubs including the ski club, SADD, PTSA, chess club, drama club, Future Business Leaders of America, Leo Club, as well as Spanish, French, and Italian clubs. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies. 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.
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.
Music, drama, and the arts are very prominent at Valley View. Many students have participated in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association festivals and have won music awards. The school is known for its excellent spring musicals.

Athletics

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.
Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012–13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beginning with the 2013–14 school year, all non-school contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.
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.
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According to PIAA directory July 2015
Valley View's athletic teams have a long history of achievement on the local and state levels. Most recently, the Valley View Lady Cougars softball team won the 2013 Class AAA state championship at State College against Fort LeBoeuf under head coach EJ Weston. This championship marked the culmination of a 20-0 season and earned the Lady Cougars a 27th national ranking. The girls' softball team was also state champion in 2000 under coach James Delonti. The school's football team was state champion in 1992 under coaches Frank Pazzaglia and Tom Krempasky. The boys' basketball team was state runner-up in 1996 under coach Frank Nicolosi. The school's girls' basketball team was state runner-up in 1986 under coach Lou Camoni. The girls' soccer team has won four district championships and the boys' soccer team captured their own district championship in 2006. In 2010, the Valley View Cougars football team beat the Berwick Bulldogs 35-21 to capture the Eastern Conference Class AAA Championship. The school also has dedicated baseball, swimming/diving, and track and field teams.
Football is a cherished tradition at Valley View and in 2004 the school spent nearly $4 million to update its football stadium in Peckville, Pennsylvania and add new track and field facilities to the campus in Archbald. The football field surface was changed from grass to artificial turf, the bleachers were changed from wood to metal, the surrounding gravel parking lot was paved, and the concession stands were completely rebuilt and repositioned. The renovations allowed for more parking and a bigger seating area for spectators.
All of Valley View's football games plus a select number of soccer, basketball, baseball and softball games are broadcast over the Internet on the Cougar Sports Network which can be found at .

In popular culture

Valley View High School is referenced numerous times in the U.S television series '"The Office." Prominent characters Pam Beesly, Darryl Philbin, and Meredith Palmer are alumni of Valley View. A fictionalized version of the school's gymnasium served as host of a job fair in the fourth-season episode "Job Fair." Also, a Cougar football helmet is featured in several episodes.
Valley View High School also appears on Pam's resume in season nine episode, "Moving On."

Prominent alumni