Plum High School
Encyclopedia
Plum High School is a public high school
and the only high school in Plum Borough School District
located at 900 Elicker Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15239. It has approximately 1,478 students enrolled for the 2007-2008 school year and serves grades nine through twelve. The current principal is Ryan Kociela with vice-principals Mr. Michael Loughren, and Mr. Justin Stephans. The school's colors are purple and gold.
Test in May. For instance, T. Edward Staines III, who teaches Pre-calculus with Trigonometry, as well as Advanced Placement Calculus AB, has on average 60% of his test takers receive scores of 5. Plum is well known for their success and high acclaim in academic competitions such as the Science Olympiad
and University of Pittsburgh's Integration Bee, as well as such events as the Future Problem Solvers of America Competitions, Propaganda Bowls, and Robotics tournaments. Plum Senior High's Robotics Teams won first and fifth place at the 2009 North American National Robotics Competition.
2009 - 97%
2008 - 96%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2009 - 74% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 70%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2009 - 63% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2008 - 60%, State - 56%
11th Grade Science:
2009 - 45% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2008 - 41%
study released in January 2009, 32% of Plum Borough 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. 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.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,647 for the program.
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.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
and the only high school in Plum Borough School District
Plum Borough School District
The Plum Borough School District is a public school district serving the Pittsburgh suburb of Plum, Pennsylvania. The district features seven schools, including Plum High School , Oblock Junior High School , and five elementary schools serving grades K-6th: Adlai Stevenson, Center, Holiday Park,...
located at 900 Elicker Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15239. It has approximately 1,478 students enrolled for the 2007-2008 school year and serves grades nine through twelve. The current principal is Ryan Kociela with vice-principals Mr. Michael Loughren, and Mr. Justin Stephans. The school's colors are purple and gold.
Academics
Plum High School offers a wide array of classes including a large selection of music, technology, and art classes on top of a solid foundation of core curriculum. Plum has several faculty members that teach Advanced Placement courses and produce very high proportions of students who pass the APAdvanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
Test in May. For instance, T. Edward Staines III, who teaches Pre-calculus with Trigonometry, as well as Advanced Placement Calculus AB, has on average 60% of his test takers receive scores of 5. Plum is well known for their success and high acclaim in academic competitions such as the Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is an American elementary, middle, or high school team competition which tests knowledge of various science topics and engineering ability. Over 6,200 teams from 49 U.S. states compete each year. Most teams compete in three levels of competition: regionals, states, and nationals...
and University of Pittsburgh's Integration Bee, as well as such events as the Future Problem Solvers of America Competitions, Propaganda Bowls, and Robotics tournaments. Plum Senior High's Robotics Teams won first and fifth place at the 2009 North American National Robotics Competition.
Academic achievement
Graduation Rate:2009 - 97%
2008 - 96%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2009 - 74% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 70%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2009 - 63% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2008 - 60%, State - 56%
11th Grade Science:
2009 - 45% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2008 - 41%
College Remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
study released in January 2009, 32% of Plum Borough 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
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
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
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, 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 project
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.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 both: high school graduation requirements and towards a college degree. The students continue to have full access to all clubs, activities and programs, at their high school including the graduation ceremony. 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. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,647 for the program.
Extracurriculars
The school offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Plum is known for its robust music program, boasting 5 bands, 5 choirs, and 3 orchestras.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.
Mission statement
Plum Borough School District, a large, growing suburban area, in partnership with students, parents and community, will strive to achieve excellence in education by preparing all students to take their place in the diverse and changing world of the 21st century. The District will provide a safe and stimulating environment that will promote and support critical thinking and life-long learning.bbv
Notable alumni
- Pat McAfeePat McAfeePatrick "Pat" McAfee is an American football punter for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was a placekicker, punter, and soccer player at West Virginia.-Freshman season:...
, place kicker for the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... - RJ Umberger, center for the Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
did not graduate from Plum High School. - Bill WilmoreBill WilmoreBill Wilmore is an IFBB professional bodybuilder.-Contest history:*1989 NPC Pennsylvania Championships, Teen, 2nd*1995 NPC Junior Nationals, Heavyweight, 2nd*1995 NPC USA Championships, Heavyweight, 11th*1996 NPC Nationals, HeavyWeight, 13th...
, Professional bodybuilder - Graduated 1990 - Mike Miller, Offensive coordinator for The Arizona Cardinals- Graduated 1988
- Steven Fabian, Channel One NewsChannel One NewsChannel One News is a 12 minute news program for teens broadcast via satellite to middle schools and high schools across the United States. Channel One is owned by Alloy Media + Marketing and based in New York City.-Program History:...
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