West Scranton High School
Encyclopedia
West Scranton High School, is a community-based school in the "West Side" neighborhood of Scranton, Pennsylvania
opened to the public in 1935, first as a junior high facility and later as a high school. One of the oldest schools in the area, it has about 32 clubs and 17 sports. It hosts grades 9 through 12. Rose Sember is the school's current principal, the first female principal in the school's history. The school colors are royal blue
and white
and the school's mascot is the Invader. West Scranton is the only high school in the United States with the Invader as its mascot. It is a public school hosting approximately 1,300 students, with the average number of students in each grade being about 300.
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
In 2008, a study was conducted of public schools in Lackawanna County and Luzerne County. It found that of the 10 public school districts in Lackawanna County, Scranton School District academic achievement ranked 7th in math and 9th in Reading. In 2004 the district was in School Improvement Level 1 AYP status. In 2005 the district was in School Improvement Level 1 AYP status. In 2006 and 2007, the district made AYP. In 2008 the district declined to Warning status.
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 home schooled, 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.
The school's biggest athletic rival is the Scranton High School Knights, who share a football stadium - Memorial Stadium, located outside Scranton High School - with the Invaders. Each year, the two teams meet in "The Bell Game," usually in late October. The winner of the football game takes a large bell, to remain in the victor's school until the following meeting.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
opened to the public in 1935, first as a junior high facility and later as a high school. One of the oldest schools in the area, it has about 32 clubs and 17 sports. It hosts grades 9 through 12. Rose Sember is the school's current principal, the first female principal in the school's history. The school colors are royal blue
Royal blue
Royal blue describes both a bright shade and a dark shade of azure blue. It is said to have been invented by millers in Rode, Somerset, a consortium of which won a competition to make a dress for the British queen, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz....
and white
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
and the school's mascot is the Invader. West Scranton is the only high school in the United States with the Invader as its mascot. It is a public school hosting approximately 1,300 students, with the average number of students in each grade being about 300.
Academics
The West Scranton High School Curriculum allows students to take classes which correspond with their learning interests by offering academic, vocational, or business learning tracks. The school offers specialized courses for Honors and AP. The Advanced Placement classes include: Chemistry, U.S. History, European History, Calculus, English, and Physics and Biology. The high school also offers Vo-Tech classes, held at another location.Achievement
In 2010, West Scranton High School is in Making Progress School Improvement level I - AYP status due to chronic low achievement of its pupils. In 2009, the school was in School Improvement level I - AYP status.PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 62% on grade level (19% below basic). State - 67%.
- 2009 - 70%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 66%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 74%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 60% on grade level (24% below basic). State - 59%.
- 2009 - 48% (26% below basic), State - 56%
- 2008 - 52%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 55%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 23% on grade level (23% below basic). State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 23% (25% below basic), State - 40%
- 2008 - 17% (40% below basic), State - 39%
In 2008, a study was conducted of public schools in Lackawanna County and Luzerne County. It found that of the 10 public school districts in Lackawanna County, Scranton School District academic achievement ranked 7th in math and 9th in Reading. In 2004 the district was in School Improvement Level 1 AYP status. In 2005 the district was in School Improvement Level 1 AYP status. In 2006 and 2007, the district made AYP. In 2008 the district declined to Warning status.
Extracurriculars
Scranton School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. 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 home schooled, 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.
Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball (boys and girls)
- Bowling (co-ed)
- Cheerleading (Football and Basketball)
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer (boys and girls)
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis (boys and girls)
- Track and Field
- Wrestling
- Step Team
The school's biggest athletic rival is the Scranton High School Knights, who share a football stadium - Memorial Stadium, located outside Scranton High School - with the Invaders. Each year, the two teams meet in "The Bell Game," usually in late October. The winner of the football game takes a large bell, to remain in the victor's school until the following meeting.
Famous alumni
- Cosmo IacavazziCosmo IacavazziCosmo Iacavazzi was an American college and professional football player. A fullback, he played college football at Princeton University and was a member of the Tiger Inn Eating Club. After graduating from Princeton, he played professionally in the American Football League for the New York Jets...
- College Football Hall of Famer - Don JonasDon Jonas-Sources:* Bob Gill, “The Best Little Quarterback You Never Heard Of” on the Professional Football Researchers Association website.-References:...
- former Penn State running back - Marc SpindlerMarc SpindlerMarc Spindler is a former American football player who was a defensive tackle and defensive end who played nine seasons in the National Football League. Since retiring from football, Spindler has worked for both WDFN and WXYT, two Detroit area sports talk radio stations.In 1986, Spindler was...
- former Pitt Panther and NFL football player - Bill FerrarioBill FerrarioWilliam James Ferrario is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League primarily with the Green Bay Packers.-Early years:Ferrario graduated from West Scranton High School...
-former NFL player with Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers - Matt McGloinMatt McGloinMatthew James "Matt" McGloin is an American football quarterback for Penn State University He is the first former walk-on quarterback to start at Penn State since scholarships were reinstated in 1949...
- Penn State Football