Sto-Rox High School
Encyclopedia
Sto-Rox High School is a high school
located in the West Park
neighborhood of Stowe Township, Pennsylvania. It is the only high school of the Sto-Rox School District
, which educates the children of Stowe Township and the borough of McKees Rocks.
It is a three-story, yellow brick building, housing grades 9-12. Formerly, it was the Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School, until, in 2002, the Sto-Rox Middle School was erected in Kennedy Township.
Since it was built, numerous additions have been added to the building, though none in recent years. A few years ago, the high school underwent a partial renovation.
High School
Graduation Rate:
2010 - 90%
2009 - 79%
2008 - 80%
2006 - 91%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 37% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
2009 - 46%, State - 65%
2008 - 44%, State - 65%
2007 - 44%, State - 65%
2006 - 33%, State - 65% Sto-Rox High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2006
2005 - 39%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 39% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 41%, State - 56%
2008 - 30%, State - 56%
2007 - 34%, State - 53%
2006 - 21%, State - 52%
2005 - 15%, State - 51%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 12% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 24%, State - 40%
2008 - 22%
College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education
study released in January 2009, 53% of the Sto-Rox 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.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $1,898 for the program.
The school board determines eligibility to participate in extracurriculars and athletics. Expectations include attendance at school and academic achievement.
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....
located in the West Park
West Park, Stowe Township
West Park is a residential and commercial neighborhood located in Stowe Township, Pennsylvania, United States, and partially in the borough of McKees Rocks...
neighborhood of Stowe Township, Pennsylvania. It is the only high school of the Sto-Rox School District
Sto-Rox School District
The Sto-Rox School District is a diminutive, suburban, public school district in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The youth of the borough of McKees Rocks and Stowe Township are educated by the district. Sto-Rox School District encompasses approximately 3 square miles. According to 2000 federal...
, which educates the children of Stowe Township and the borough of McKees Rocks.
The building
The current building of the Sto-Rox High School was erected in 1926. At that time, it was only the Stowe Township High School, until it merged with the McKees Rocks School District in 1966, thus forming Sto-Rox.It is a three-story, yellow brick building, housing grades 9-12. Formerly, it was the Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School, until, in 2002, the Sto-Rox Middle School was erected in Kennedy Township.
Since it was built, numerous additions have been added to the building, though none in recent years. A few years ago, the high school underwent a partial renovation.
Academic achievement
Sto-Rox High School's 11th grade was ranked 111th out of 123 Western Pennsylvania High School in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 1 year of science. In 2008, the school ranked 490th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts.High School
Graduation Rate:
2010 - 90%
2009 - 79%
2008 - 80%
2006 - 91%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 37% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
2009 - 46%, State - 65%
2008 - 44%, State - 65%
2007 - 44%, State - 65%
2006 - 33%, State - 65% Sto-Rox High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2006
2005 - 39%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 39% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 41%, State - 56%
2008 - 30%, State - 56%
2007 - 34%, State - 53%
2006 - 21%, State - 52%
2005 - 15%, State - 51%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 12% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 24%, State - 40%
2008 - 22%
College remediation: According to a 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...
study released in January 2009, 53% of the Sto-Rox 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
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, 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 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. 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 $1,898 for the program.
Famous alumni
- David Cercone (1970) U.S. District Court Judge
- Chuck FusinaChuck FusinaCharles Anthony Fusina is a former professional American football quarterback. He played in both the National Football League and United States Football League and was an All-American and Maxwell Award winner at Penn State University in 1978.-Professional football:At 6'1" 195-lb., Fusina was a...
(1975) - Quarterback at Pennsylvania State University from 1975-1979; drafted into the NFL by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 133rd overall in 1979 - Billy MaysBilly MaysWilliam Darrell "Billy" Mays, Jr. was an American television direct-response advertisement salesperson most notable for promoting OxiClean, Orange Glo, and other cleaning, home-based, and maintenance products on the Home Shopping Network, and through his company, Mays Promotions, Inc...
(1976) - Television pitchman, best known for OxiCleanOxiClean-History:It was originally marketed through infomercials in the U.S. and Canada with Billy Mays, as a "miracle cleanser". Church and Dwight acquired the OxiClean brand through its acquisition of Orange Glo International in 2006. Endorsed by Mays until his death in 2009, the product is now seen...
, died of heart disease in June 2009. - Bob LigasheskyBob LigasheskyBob Ligashesky is an American football coach. He is currently the special teams assistant for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League.-Coaching career:...
(1981) - College and NFL football coach - Adam DiMicheleAdam DiMicheleAdam DiMichele is a professional quarterback who is currently a member of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
(2003) - Winnipeg Blue BombersWinnipeg Blue BombersThe Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
quarterback - Kathy Collins (1968) - Silver medal winner in Racewalking at Canadian Masters National Track and Field Championship
- Dennis Lebec (1968) - Assistant Professor of Communication at Mercyhurst CollegeMercyhurst CollegeMercyhurst College is a Catholic liberal arts college in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.-History:On September 20, 1926, Mercyhurst College opened its doors just a few blocks away from the city's southern boundary. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy of the Erie Diocese, who were led by Mother M. Borgia...
- Myron BrownMyron BrownJulian Myron Brown is a retired American basketball player, formerly in the NBA and the Italian basketball league. At 6'3" and 180 lb , he played as a shooting guard.-College:After a stellar high school career at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr...
(1987) - Former Slippery Rock University basketball standout and professional basketball player in the NBA, CBA and Italy.
Athletics
Sto-Rox is known for its outstanding boys basketball and girl's softball programs. The girl's softball team has won a district record 10 titles since 1985. The title years are (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993, 2000, 2001-2004 and 2006). They have also played in the PIAA state title game 4 times (1989, 1993, 2001, 2004) winning it once (1989). The only coach in the program's history is Bill Palermo who started in 1979. The wins/loss total for the team is 509-114.The school board determines eligibility to participate in extracurriculars and athletics. Expectations include attendance at school and academic achievement.
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.