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Pennsylvania Department of Education
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Education
333 Market StreetHarrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Academic Standards and Assessment MidpointReview
Thursday, September 10, 2009Entity:
Northwestern Lehigh SD
Address:
6493 Route 309New Tripoli, PA 18066-2038
Phone:
(610) 298-8661 Ext: 1225
Contact Name:
Susanne Meixsell
Educational Community
The Northwestern Lehigh School District comprises 1/3 of Lehigh County which equates toapproximately 107 square miles. The District is primarily rural with many farms still in operation.As farmland is slowly being converted to housing developments, families moving into the Districttend to be upper-middle class professionals who make daily commutes to work in neighboringcities, anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours away from home. The District is becoming amix of stakeholders with differing expectations for our students.The District includes one high school, one middle school, and two elementary buildings with atotal enrollment of 2378 students. We have participated in the Lehigh Valley Career PathwaysConsortium since 1998. All students, K-12, are involved in a career guidance program. By eighthgrade, students have selected a career cluster - Arts and Humanities; Business/CommunicationTechnology; Engineering/Industrial Technology; or Health Sciences/Human Services and eitherthe Traditional or Technical pathway within the cluster. Two required courses, Futures I and II,were added in 2001 and 2004 respectively, for all ninth and eleventh grade students. These highschool courses, designed to support the Career Pathways program, meet the PennsylvaniaAcademic standards for Family and Consumer Science, Technology, and Career Education andWork.The District has offered dual enrollment opportunities since Spring 2000. Courses deliveredthrough distance learning, dual enrollment, both on our campus and at local colleges anduniversities, and Independent Study has allowed our students to pursue their career goals inelective courses that a school of our size could otherwise not offer. Our 2008 AYP has been metwith a 94.33% graduation rate, 99% participation in both Math and Reading, and 68.7% in Mathand 77.0% in Reading meeting proficient/advanced status. PSSA scores have increased in eachof the past three years. In 11th grade Math, the number of students scoring in theproficient/advanced range in 2006 was 62.3%, 56.7% in 2007 and 68.7% in 2008. In 11th gradeReading, proficient/advanced scores were 75.7% in 2006, 72.2% in 2007, and 77.0% in 2008.Writing scores show a similar pattern, with 93.5% in 2006, 91.7% in 2007, and 95.9% in 2008 ofstudents scoring in the proficient/advanced range. Additionally, the percentage of studentsscoring proficient/advanced in 11th grade Science in 2008 were the highest in our region at53.4%. 75% of the graduating class of 2008 continued in further education/vocation/militarytraining with 16% going directly to work. The remaining 9% graduated with undecided plans fortheir future.The strengths of our students and community are:
•
consistent improvement in test scores
•
students who are engaged and interested in their school experiences
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a variety of educational opportunities being utilized including dual-enrollment, on-linerecovery courses, career and technical education, independent study
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required courses to meet Career Education and Work standards
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participation in Lehigh County Pathways, High Schools that Work, and other careerfocused activities
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partnerships with higher education and business groups
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a supportive, involved, and educationally-minded communityOur needs include:
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improved academic proficiency as demonstrated in the PSSA exam scores in Readingand Math
•
improved proficiency on college placement exams and lowered percentages of studentsrequiring remedial college coursework
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more opportunities for personalized career counseling and courses to support careergoals (including dual-enrollment)
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more access to technology at the elementary and middle levels
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more opportunities for 21st century learning
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more opportunities for career-based learning such as job-shadowing and internships
•
a greater understanding of our changing technology-infused global society and the roleeach plays to contribute as an informed citizen
Mission
Our mission is to engage students, employees, and the community in a partnership to achieveexcellence through learning! Northwestern Lehigh.....Excellence through learning!
Vision
A look at the Northwestern Lehigh School District in 2012!
The Northwestern Lehigh School District is a place where learning is highly valued not only forstudents, but also for employees and community members. Students here are filled with “TigerPride” and are highly motivated learners spurred by rigorous curriculum that is aligned to the PAAcademic Standards and Assessment Anchors taught by highly qualified, caring, and well-trainedteachers. Our educational programs have evolved to prepare all students to live, work, and learnin a world driven by informational technologies. Our graduates communicate their appreciation forthe rich content knowledge, development of their thinking and personal skills to successfullynavigate the world around them.The key to our success has been continual learning about the best instructional practices andtechnologies, to examine the essential learning questions facing our students, and to couple ourlearning with our commitment and passion for each student’s success as a learner and as aperson.Our school day allows for flexible learning opportunities for all our students. Technology hasallowed us to expand the walls of Northwestern Lehigh to encompass the world. Teachers arecommunicating regularly around professional development topics, communicating with parentsabout the progress of their child, and reflecting on curriculum and essential questions all via theInternet and our web-based curriculum database. All this happens from home or school!Our students have multiple opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities that enhancetheir social, mental, and physical being. These activities are led by qualified and caring adultswho bring integrity and positive attitudes to the programs which help instill a strong sense of“Tiger Pride” and commitment to the Northwestern Lehigh family community.District employees are highly engaged in carrying out the mission, vision, and shared values ofthe District. A sense of pride, mutual respect, accomplishment, and a strong work ethic aretangible amongst employee groups who are all focused on moving the District forward. Visitors tothe District comment on the positive customer service, friendly environment, positive attitudes,and clear communication coming from the District. Our buildings are safe, clean, and well-maintained. Students, employees, and visitors feel welcome in our facilities because they areconducive to learning and our shared values.Residents of the Northwestern Lehigh School District are frequently engaged in District activities.Local, regional, and global businesses work collaboratively with the District providing learning and
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