Central Dauphin East High School

History

Central Dauphin East High School opened in 1961. Central Dauphin School District was created in 1954, and this merger of several school districts was completed by the opening of Central Dauphin High School.

In the late 1990s, overcrowding in the Central Dauphin School District resulted in a proposal to merge Central Dauphin East High School with nearby rival Central Dauphin High School. The proposal was opposed by Central Dauphin East High School and was later voted down by the school board (after its removal in the election the week before). In 2000, the school board voted to build a third high school, but in a sudden turnaround by the school board, it was decided that the district would have only two high schools.

Since 1961, the yearbook has been called the Oriens. The school newspaper is called the Panther Print.

In 2010, the Central Dauphin School District applied for and was awarded a $2,099,888 grant, by the state and federal government. The money had to be used to transform the high school. The Transformation process specifies that the administration use of rigorous, transparent, and equitable evaluation systems for teachers and principals, high-quality professional development and design and development of curriculum with teacher and principal involvement. The school qualified for the grant due to the chronic low student achievement.

Graduation rate

In 2015, Central Dauphin east Senior HIgh School graduation rate was 87.36%.

Academic achievement

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale reported that four schools in the District are among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The schools are: Rutherford Elementary School, Chamber Hill Elementary School, Swatara Middle School and Central Dauphin East Senior High School. DiPasquale also reported that the Pennsylvania Department of Education failed to take any action to remediate the poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.

Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program In 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014–15 and 2015–16, Central Dauphin East High School was listed among the 15% lowest achieving schools in the Commonwealth. Three other Central Dauphin District Schools were also on the list including: Tri Community Elementary School, Swatara Middle School and Central Dauphin East Middle School. Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012. The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district. Sixteen public schools in Dauphin County were among the lowest-achieving schools in 2012 and 2013. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District. In 2014, Monessen City School District had all three of its schools added to the list. Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

2015 School Performance Profile

Central Dauphin East High School achieved 63.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement.The PDE reported that just 47% of the High School’s students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 47.6% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 32% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. Statewide, 53% of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.

2014 School Performance Profile

Central Dauphin East High School achieved 59.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 54.9% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 48% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 34.7% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged. Compared with last year, the percentage of schools that earned below 60 declined by nearly 1 percent per Secretayr of Education Carolyn Dumaresq. She reported that this is an indication that student achievement is improving as school resources are being used better.

2013 School Performance Profile

Central Dauphin East High School achieved 68.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 70.99% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 54.27% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 31.42% showed on grade level science understanding. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

AYP History

In 2012, Central Dauphin East High School declined further to Corrective Action II 6th Year due to persistent, low student achievement. The school achieved 2 out of 10 academic metrics measured. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the District. Additionally the school administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students. The High School is eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.

PSSA history

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.

In 2010, Local School Directory.com ranked Central Dauphin East High School 560th out of 639 Pennsylvania public high schools for student academic achievement.

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 37% of Central Dauphin School District 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.

SAT Scores

In 2014, 204 Central Dauphin School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 445. The Math average score was 472. The Writing average score was 431. Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.

In 2013, 186 Central Dauphin East High School students took the SAT exams. The School's Verbal Average Score was 459. The Math average score was 462. The Writing average score was 436. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.

In 2012, 209 Central Dauphin East High School students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 449. The Math average score was 454. The Writing average score was 433. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In June 2011, 237 Central Dauphin East High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 449. The Math average score was 459. The Writing average score was 419. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.

Dual enrollment

The Central Dauphin East 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 $15,027 for the program.

AP Courses

In 2013, Central Dauphin East High School offered 13 Advance Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Central Dauphin East 22.32% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.

In 2014, Central Dauphin East High School offered 13 Advance Placement courses, with 37% earning a 3 or better on the AP exams. In 2015, Central Dauphin East High School offered 12 Advance Placement courses, with 28% of the students who took the course earning a 3 or better on the College Board AP exams.

Graduation Requirements

The Central Dauphin School Board has determined that a high school student must earn 24 credits in order to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Health 0.5 credit, Arts and Humanities 1 credit, Graduation project 0.5 credit and 6 elective credits.

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. At Central Dauphin graduation projects require a portfolio which includes: research, an activity log, a reflection paper, and a final presentation of the project. The project may focus on career options, service options or academic options which are all described in the graduation project manual for students. Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2018, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams. The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.

Students have several opportunities to pass the exams. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate. For the class of 2019, a Composition exam is to be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements. In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

School safety and bullying

The Central Dauphin East High School administration reported there were zero incidents of bullying in the District in 2014. There were 11 thefts. Additionally, there were four assaults on pupils and no sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in forty-seven incidents at the schools, with 44 arrests. Each year the school safety data is reported by the District to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online. Nationally, nearly 20% of pupils report being bullied at school.

The Central Dauphin East High School administration reported there were three incidents of bullying in the District in 2013. There were 63 reported thefts. Additionally, there were thirteen assaults on pupils and four sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in 208 incidents at the schools, with 38 arrests.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act established the Unsafe School Choice Option. Each state that receives federal funds was mandated to establish a statewide policy requiring that a student at a “persistently dangerous” public school be allowed to transfer/enroll in a safe public school. The policy permitted a student who becomes the victim of a violent criminal offense, while in or on the grounds of any public school that he or she attends, to transfer to a safe public school. Each year since 2006, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has released a list of Persistently Dangerous Schools. Area School District schools have not been on the lists.

Central Dauphin School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.

Wellness policy

Central Dauphin School Board established a district-wide Student Wellness policy in 2006. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Central Dauphin High School offers both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals. The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandates that Districts raise their full pay lunch prices every year until the price of non-subsidized lunches equals the amount the federal government reimburses schools for free meals. That subsidy in 2013-2014 was $2.93.

In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day. The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.

Central Dauphin School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance. Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Music program

Central Dauphin East's music program consists of five bands, five choirs, and two orchestras. Bands include the wind ensemble, symphonic, concert, jazz, and marching band. The choirs include EHS Choraliers, Women's Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Varsity Choir. Each part of the music department holds several concerts throughout the school year, including the annual spring musical, and seasonal concerts held in the auditorium. The arts are supported through the fall play.

In 2010, two of their students received individual awards as well as one honorable mention at the Hershey Theater Apollo Awards. Jurdan Payne received one for "outstanding supporting actor in a play" for his performance in William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew in the school's 2009 fall play. Damon McToy tied with Jurdan Payne for "outstanding supporting actor in a musical" for the spring 2010 musical Urinetown. James Wright received an honorable mention from the Hershey Apoollo Awards for his performance as Gremio in Taming of the Shrew.

In 2011, Joy Christian won "Outstanding Actress in a Musical" in the Wiz. Benton Felty also won "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical" in the Wiz. The production also won an award for "Outstanding Song" for "Everybody Rejoice".

In 2012, Central Dauphin East received nominations for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Dance Number for The Wedding Singer, though they won neither. They also received nominations for their production of Inherit the Wind, including "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play" for Benton Felty's role as Matthew Brady, Sydney Harkelroad for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play" for Rachel Brown and for "Outstanding Play".

In 2013, Benton Felty won an award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play" for his role at Lord of the Underworld in Eurydice. East, for the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, won awards for "Outstanding Musical," "Outstanding Dance Number in a Musical" for the "More We Dance," "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical" for Benton Felty for his portrayal of Freddie Benson, and "Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical" to Savannah Moyer as Jolene Oakes. The show was also nominated for "Outstanding Student Orchestra".

Plays and musicals: (this list is incomplete)

Extracurriculars

Central Dauphin East High School offers a variety of extracurricular programs including: clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policy. The Board requires that athletes remain in good academic standing, attendance, and conduct within the district by passing four credits. Central Dauphin School District provides its athletics disclosure form on its web site. Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012-13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all non-school (booster club and alumni) contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.

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.

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.

Clubs

Central Dauphin East offers a number of clubs. Students can create new clubs with the principal's approval.

Sports

According to Pennsylvania’s Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.

The District funds:

According to PIAA directory October 2016

Notable alumni