Chartiers Valley High School

Chartiers Valley High School (Established in 1959) is a public school physically located in Collier Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,^[2] USA.^[3] The school's post-office address is Bridgeville, PA however.

The school district serves Collier Township, Bridgeville Borough, Scott Township and Heidelberg Borough.

A new high school and middle school complex is being considered at the same site. The new complex would retain its gymnasium, pool and auditorium.^[4]

The school has an olympic-sized indoor swimming pool^[5] which is open to the public three evenings a week. A small fee is charged to district residents and non residents.^[6]

The school's on-site stadium was home to the professional soccer team Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2008-2012).^[7][8]

The school district is named after Pierre Chartiers.

Graduation rate

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Chartiers Valley High School's rate was 96% for 2010.^[9]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

• 2010 - 98%^[10]
• 2009 - 96%^[11]
• 2008 - 97%
• 2007 - 97%^[12]

Academic achievement

State Academic Rankings

• 2015 - 173rd out of 681^[13]
• 2014 - 202nd
• 2013 - 170th
• 2012 - 244th
• 2011 - 156th
• 2010 - 160th
• 2009 - 257th
• 2008 - 42nd
• 2007 - 167th
• 2006 - 109th

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 32% of Chartiers Valley 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.^[14] Neighboring high schools range from 17% (Upper St. Clair School District) to 53% (City of Pittsburgh School District). 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.^[15] 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.

Dual enrollment

The 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.^[16] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[17]

For the 2009–10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $14,519 for the program.^[18]

Grants

In 2010, the high school received a grant of $9,801, from Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge, which was used to purchase the SPARK Physical Education curriculum and training for grades 9–12.^[19]

Classrooms for the Future Grant

Chartiers Valley School Board received a grant from the PA Department of Education to purchase equipment to help reform the high school's core subjects instruction and to prepare students for future employment by using cutting-edge equipment and software. The district used the funds to purchase laptops for students, laptops for teachers, laptop carts and other digital equipment. The grant provided additional funding for a technology coach to instruct teachers in using the equipment to improve instruction. In 2006–07 and 2007–08 the district applied for, but was denied Classroom for the Future funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2008-09, the district received $172,705.^[20] Beginning in 2006, Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future program distributed more than $150 million for laptops, interactive boards and other high-tech tools to 543 Pennsylvania high schools. In 2009, the Classrooms For the Future funding program was terminated due to a deep state revenue shortfall.^[21]

Awards and recognition

In 2007, Chartiers Valley High School's Art Program was awarded the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association's Silver Globe Award. The School had previously been awarded a Bronze Globe Award in 2005.^[22]

Also in 2005, Chartiers Valley's musical "Beauty and the Beast" won 5 awards at the 15th annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre.^[23]

Student body demographics

As of 2005:^[24]

Athletics

The Chartiers Valley Colts football team is now involved in WPIAL Class AAAAA (5-A) football. The largest statewide classification is (6-A).^[25]

State Championships

Ice Hockey: 1986 victory over Warminster Archbishop Wood 7-2 (AA).^[26][27]

State Finals Appearances

Basketball (boys): 2010 loss to Philadelphia Neuman-Goretti 65-63 (AAA). 1998 loss to Harrisburg Steelton-Highspire 69-45 (AAA).^[28]

Baseball: 2009 loss to Clarks Summit Abington Heights 3-2 (AAA).^[29]

Soccer (boys): 2002 loss to West Chester Henderson 2-1 (AAA). ^[30]

Notable alumni

• Tino Coury, pop singer
• Adam Gazda, soccer player for Pittsburgh Riverhounds
• Gregg Gillis, (stage name, Girl Talk) musician
• Dave Kasper, general manager of D.C. United^[31]
• Eric Kush, football player^[32]
• Travis MacKenzie, soccer player for Pittsburgh Riverhounds
• Joseph Markosek, representative for Pennsylvania's 25th Representative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.^[33]
• T. J. McConnell, NBA player
• Bill Peduto, mayor of Pittsburgh ^[34][35]
• Ray Ventrone, football player for the NFL.^[36]
• Ross Ventrone, football player for the NFL
• Tom Wallisch, professional skier

References

External links

• Chartiers Valley High School