Exeter Township Senior High School is a public secondary school located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school is part of the Exeter Township School District. In 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 1,435 pupils in grades 9â€"12. The current principal is William W. Cain.
History
The first students moved into the school building on a 19.22Â ha (47.5 acres) campus in September 1955. The Junior High School was opened in 1963, but the ninth grade pupils didn't move out of the senior high building until 1969. In 1980, a new library and science wing were added and the cafeteria and shop areas were enlarged. The school underwent major renovations in 2006, including the addition of a new cafeteria and new classroom wing. The school also renovated its football stadium, Don Thomas Stadium. In 2015, a new electronic, video accessible jumbotron scoreboard was installed in the stadium thanks to a $60,000 donation from Dairy Queen. Completion of the redevelopment saw the ninth grade move back to the senior high school.
Curriculum
In addition to the basic curriculum subjects of English, mathematics and science, Exeter Township Senior High School also offers courses in art, business, family & consumer science, fitness & wellness, music, social studies, technology education and world languages. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Calculus, AP Microeconomics, AP Biology, AP United States Government and Politics, AP Physics B, AP United States History, AP Computer Science, and AP Psychology. Students who pass the end of course exams have the potential to be awarded college credits when they score a 3 or better. The amount and type of credit awarded is at the discretion of each college or university. In 2015, 72% of the Exeter Township students who took the exams earned a 3 or better. Students who successfully complete the exam with a score of 3 or better have the exam fee refunded to them by the school district after the score reports are received. Students who want to take AP tests in non-offered AP course are also able to do so.
In 2015, the graduation rate in Exeter Township School District’s was 91.27%. Due to the low academic achievement, the high school is eligible for extra funding under School Improvement Grants, for which the school must apply each year.
Dual enrollment
The school offers a Dual Enrollment program with Reading Area Community College. This state program enables high school students to take courses at local higher education institutions. Students thus earn college credits whilst still enrolled at high school and having full access to activities and programs at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards a college degree, with college credits offered at a deeply discounted rate. Initially, the state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. but the grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell in 2010-11 due to state budget crisis. 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 Exeter Township School District received a state grant of $25,905 for the program. Students may also attend the Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC).
Graduation requirements
The Exeter District School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 28 credits to graduate including: a required class every year in math 3 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, plus one math or science credit, physical education (wellness and fitness/driver education/health) 2 credits, arts/humanities 2 credits and electives. A total of 30 hours of community service (for a non-profit organization) must be served in order to graduate.
Under Pennsylvania School Board regulations, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in algebra I, biology, English composition, and English literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.
Student assistance program
Exeter Township Senior High School provides a drug and alcohol abuse intervention program for students. It is the District’s policy to prevent and prohibit the possession and/or use, distribution, and/or intent of distribution of an illegal or controlled mood-altering chemical, medication, alcohol, or abused chemical not approved by the health office on school property, at school sponsored events, or school buses, and en route to or from school. The program has 3 facets: education, prevention and intervention
Classrooms for the Future grant
The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, science, history, math), and to provide teacher training on the effective use of the computers and white boards to improve instruction. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. The Exeter Township School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the Exeter Township Senior High School was denied funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, but received $188,223 in 2008-09. In 2010, the Classrooms for the Future funding program was curtailed by Governor Edward G. Rendell due to a massive state government financial crisis.
Tuition rates
Students living in a neighboring public school district and foreign exchange students may seek admission to Exeter Township School District. For such cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student who attends the charter school. This is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2016 tuition rates for Exeter Township Senior High School was $10,775.88.
Extracurricular activities
Exeter Township School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association regulations. Under State law, all K-12 students residing in the district (including those who attend a private school, cyber charter school, charter school and those home-schooled) are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including sports. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.
The extracurricular program includes choir, drama (the school produces a play and a musical each year), fine arts, marching band, mock trial, orchestra, quiz bowl and Science Olympiad. Students produce a newspaper, a literary magazine and a yearbook.
Notable alumni
- Betsy King, professional golfer
- A.S. King, award-winning author
- Michal Menet, Penn State football player
- M.J. Smith, author
- Taylor Bertolet, Los Angeles Rams Kicker
- Karina Dunbar, actress and model
- Austin DeSanto, PIAA Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion
References
External links
- Link to school web page