How is My School Doing?
The public now has access to a great website offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Follow the link below to discover how the North Schuylkill School District is doing in regards to the following areas: Academic Data and School Report Cards, Graduation Rates, Drop Out Rates, Student Progress, Average daily Attendance by School, and general contact information for schools.
PSSA Performance
North Schuylkill students have scored consistently well above the state averages on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams which are administered to students in grades 3-8and 11 as required under federal legislation and No Child Left Behind.
Administrators and staff work diligently to ensure that classroom instruction is aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards. We seek to provide support and guidance to our students to ensure that students earn proficient or advanced status on these high stakes tests.
Six Key Elements of North Schuylkill's Curriculum
The District's curriculum is aligned with supporting the Pennsylvania Department of Education's State Learning Standards in various disciplines. It is our main objective to prepare our students to compete successfully for admission to higher education institutions, to enable them to secure employment and succeed in the global marketplace, and to demonstrate the skills, attitudes, and ethics which will allow them to become lifelong learners.
Through our research we have identified six key elements which will drive the North Schuylkill educational program in the 21st Century:
Mastering Core Subjects
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which re-authorized the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965, identifies the core subjects as English, Reading or Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Languages, Civics, Government, Economics, Arts, History and Geography. North Schuylkill's students will master the core subjects by using learning and thinking skills, making their education truly rigorous.
Mastering 21st Century Content
We believe several significant emerging content areas are critical to success in communities and workplaces. North Schuylkill's students will master 21st Century content that is relevant in the world today. These content areas are: global awareness; financial, economic business and entrepreneurial literacy; civic literacy; health and wellness awareness.
Mastering Learning and Thinking Skills
As much as students need to learn academic content, we believe they also need to know how to keep learning- and make effective and innovative use of what they know- throughout their lives. North Schuylkill's students will develop learning and thinking skills comprised of: Critical thinking and problem-solving skills; Communication skills; Creativity and innovation skills; Collaboration skills; Contextual learning skills; Information and media literacy skills; and Team building skills.
Acquiring ICT Literacy
Information and communications technology (ICT) literacy is the ability to use technology to develop 21st century content knowledge and skills, in the context of learning core subjects. North Schuylkill's students will use technology to learn content and skills- so that they know how to learn, think critically, solve problems, use information, communicate, innovate and collaborate.
Mastering Life Skills
Good teachers have always incorporated life skills into their pedagogy. The North Schuylkill School District will incorporate these essential life skills into our schools deliberately, strategically and broadly: Leadership; Ethics; Accountability; Adaptability; Personal productivity; Personal responsibility; People skills; Self-direction; and Social responsibility.
21st Century Assessments
Assessments must measure core subjects, 21st Century content, learning and thinking skills, ICT literacy and life skills. A balance of assessments, including high-quality standardized testing, along with effective classroom assessments, will offer North Schuylkill's students a powerful way to master the content and skills central to success in meeting real-world challenges.
North Schuylkill School District Strategic Plan
The North Schuylkill School District will incorporate all six elements into our curriculum, thus providing our students a rigorous, meaningful and relevant education. Curriculum development is an ongoing process which addresses the changing needs of all students. To this end, North Schuylkill's curriculum is evaluated, adapted and developed on a continuing basis.
Shared Values Which Drive North Schuylkill's Curriculum
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Our students are our purpose.
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Our district focuses on our students and recognizes that each person has the ability to learn.
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Our students are entitled to a safe, caring, learning environment.
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All students want to succeed in some way and want to feel good about themselves.
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All students should have the opportunity to learn using the most current material and technology available, in order to compete with the rest of the world.
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All students should be encouraged to discuss their ideas and the ideas of others in the classroom instead of just rote memorization of facts.
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The advancement of society depends on the development of individual talents, and that each student should be given the opportunity and resources to develop his/her talents to the utmost of their potential.
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Our learning environment develops values of service, pride, excellence, and integrity.
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Our students are encouraged to contribute to the community.
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Our district strives for pride, excellence, and integrity.
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Our heritage provides a foundation for good citizenship.
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The role of all in the school community is to work cooperatively to support the needs of the students.
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The family is the foundation for a successful community.
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Education of our youth is the shared responsibility of everyone: the home, the school, and the community.
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Each individual is important and entitled to respect, understanding and appreciation of his/her uniqueness.
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Each person is responsible for his/her own actions.
North Schuylkill School District Strategic Plan
The strategic plan helps the district to define and address the most important issues the district will face over the next three years. The strategic plan serves as a road map that will provide direction to the district’s educational efforts. We invite comments and input from all of the district’s citizens. We are currently planning a series of meetings and developing survey instruments to evaluate the current strategic plan and make the necessary modifications. Please feel free to “get involved” and provide constructive commentary to help shape the future direction of our schools.
The North Schuylkill School District is not responsible for information contained on linked sites.