Elizabeth Forward High School

Elizabeth Forward High School is a midsized suburban, four-year comprehensive public high school located in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, as part of the Elizabeth Forward School District. There are over 80 faculty members including a School Psychologist, three Guidance Counselors, and a full-time School Nurse on staff. The Assistant Principal is Mr. Anthony Pascarella, and the Dean of Students is Ms. Mary C. DeFrancesco.[2]

Elizabeth Forward High School
Location
1000 Weigles Hill Rd.
Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
Information
Teaching staff53.09 (FTE)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment704 (2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio13.26[1]
Campus typeRural
Color(s)    Red and Black
MascotWarrior
WebsiteWebsite

Location

Elizabeth Forward School District is composed of the Borough of Elizabeth, and the townships of Elizabeth and Forward. Located just south of the city of Pittsburgh, the district lies between the Youghiogheny River and Monongahela River valleys in the southernmost region of Allegheny County.[3] Communities of Elizabeth Township include Greenock, Mount Vernon, Central, Boston, Buena Vista, Industry, Blaine Hill, Blythedale, Smithdale and Victory. Communities of Forward Township include East Monongahela, Bunola, Sunny Side, River Hill, 51 Estates, and Axelton. Bordering areas include McKeesport, Pleasant Hills, Belle Vernon, Monongahela, West Mifflin, Jefferson Borough, West Elizabeth, and Versailles.

Graduation rate

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Elizabeth Forward School District's rate was 93% for 2010.[4]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

  • 2010 - 95% [5]
  • 2009 - 91%
  • 2008 - 94%
  • 2007 - 94% [6]

Graduation Requirements

The Elizabeth Forward School Board has determined that a student must earn 26 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Science 4 credits, Technology .5 credits, and Health 0.5 credit, Freshman Seminar 0.5 credits, Senior Project 1 credit, Physical Education 1 credit includes swimming, Arts/Humanities 3 credits, and 3.5 electives.[7]

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.[8]

According to Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.[9]

Academic Achievement

In 2010 the high school improved to achieving AYP status. In 2009, the school was in Warning status due to low student achievement.[10] According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 41% of Elizabeth Forward High School's 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.[11] 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.

The high school ranked 61st out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2011, for academic achievement as reflected by five years of 11th grade results on: math, reading, writing and three years of science PSSAs.[12]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
  • 2010 - 74% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders are on grade level.[15]
  • 2009 - 66% (11% below basic), State - 65% [16]
  • 2008 - 64% (16% below basic), State - 65% [17]
  • 2007 - 71% (18% below basic), State - 65% [18]
11th Grade Math:
  • 2010 - 69%, on grade level (16% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[19]
  • 2009 - 59% (19% below basic). State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 55% (23% below basic), State - 56%.
  • 2007 - 49% (26% below basic), State - 53%.
11th Grade Science:
  • 2010 - 74% on grade level (10% below basic). State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
  • 2009 - 66% (11% below basic). State - 40%.[20]
  • 2008 - 24% (12% below basic), State - 39%.

Dual enrollment program

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 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.[21] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[22] The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.[23]

In 2010, the Elizabeth Forward School District High School received a state grant of $20,272.00 to assist students in paying for tuition, books and fees.[24]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs and activities. Eligibility to participate is determined through school board policies.[25][26]

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.[27][28]

Marching band

The school has a marching band that competes regularly. There is also an Indoor Color Guard. The Indoor Percussion Ensemble finished its season by winning gold in the Scholastic A Percussion Standstill Division at the Tournament Indoor Association Championships in 2011. Additionally, the school's Indoor Majorettes. The group took first place and was named Scholastic A Class Champion at the 2011 Tournament Indoor Association Chapter 8 Championships. The booster group is extensive and very active in fund raising.

Athletics

School sponsored athletics include [29]

Fall Sports

  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Golf
  • Marching Band
  • Color Guard

Winter Sports

  • Basketball
  • Hockey
  • Indoor Track
  • Indoor Color Guard
  • Indoor Percussion Ensemble
  • Swimming/Diving
  • Wrestling
  • Hockey
  • Skiing/Snowboarding

Spring Sports

  • Baseball
  • Track & Field
  • Softball

Rivalries

Elizabeth Forward has several rivalries with other local school districts. The most notable rivalry is with Thomas Jefferson High School. This rivalry is fueled through nearly every sport. Another major rivalry is with Belle Vernon Area High School. Another minor rivalry that has died down is West Mifflin Area High School.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Elizabeth Forward SHS". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  2. "E. F. High School". Archived from the original on 2007-12-22. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  3. "About E.F". Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  4. Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented". Archived from the original on 2010-09-14.
  5. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Elizabeth Forward School District AYP Report Card 2010 data table". Archived from the original on 2012-09-30. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  6. Pennsylvania Partnership for Children (2008). "PA High School Graduation Info by School District 2007".
  7. Elizabeth Forward School Board. "Elizabeth Forward High School Program of Studies 2011-12 - Graduation Requirements" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  8. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  9. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  10. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "ELIZABETH FORWARD SCHOOL - School AYP Overview". Archived from the original on 2012-09-30. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  11. Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report".
  12. Pittsburgh Business Times (2011). "2011 Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools - School District Information".
  13. Pittsburgh Business Times (October 16, 2010). "2010 Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools - School District Information".
  14. The Rankings: 11th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009
  15. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  16. The Times-Tribune. (September 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results,".
  17. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  18. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
  19. Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 2011). "Elizabeth Forward High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010" (PDF).
  20. The Times-Tribune. (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results,".
  21. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines". Archived from the original on 2014-10-17.
  22. "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement". March 2010.
  23. Pennsylvania Department of Education (April 29, 2010). "PA College Credit Transfer System Makes Higher Education More Affordable, Accessible,". Archived from the original on September 6, 2012.
  24. Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 2009). "Dual Enrollment Fall Grants 2009-10".
  25. Elizabeth Forward School Board (February 25, 2009). "ExtraCurricular Activities Policy 122".
  26. Elizabeth Forward School Board (February 25, 2009). "Interscholastic Athletics Policy 123". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  27. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities,". Archived from the original on October 23, 2014.
  28. Elizabeth Forward School Board (April 30, 2009). "EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION BY HOME EDUCATION STUDENTS Policy 137.1" (PDF).
  29. "Athletics". Archived from the original on 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  30. "Anthony Rubino". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  31. Elizabeth Forward Alumni and Friends Association
  32. New Hall members deserve the honor - PittsburghLIVE.com
  33. Emert, Rich (July 23, 2003). "Where are they now? Pete Rostosky". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  34. Brian Holton Statistics - The Baseball Cube
  35. Kovacevic, Dejan (November 10, 2009). "Post-Gazette's Molinari enters Hockey Hall". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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