Cheltenham High School

Graduation rate

In 2012, Cheltenhem Township School District graduation rate was 89.92%. In 2011, the graduation rate was 93.97%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Cheltenham High School's rate was 82.37% for 2010.

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

2010 - 89.92%

2009 - 97.82%

2008 - 96.7%

2007 - 96.6%

Adequate Yearly Progress history

In 2012, Cheltenham High School declined again to Warning AYP status due to low graduation rate and poor mathematics achievement. In 2012, the School achieved AYP status.

2010 - Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement

2009 - Achieved AYP status

2008 - Warning AYP status

2007 - Achieved AYP status

2006 - Warning AYP status

2005 - Warning AYP status

2004 - Achieved AYP status

2003 - Warning AYP status

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading:

2012 - 79% on grade level, (8% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.

2011 - 78% (8% below basic). State - 69.1%

2010 - 75% (15% below basic). State - 66%

2009 - 82% (7% below basic). State - 65%

2008 - 60% (19% below basic). State - 65%

2007 - 69% (16% below basic). State - 65%

11th Grade Math:

2012 - 69 on grade level (13% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.

2011 - 72% (13% below basic). State - 60.3%

2010 - 65% (21% below basic). State - 59%

2009 - 72% (11% below basic). State - 56%

2008 - 56% (24% below basic). State - 56%

2007 - 63% (18% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

2012 - 46% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.

2011 - 39% (27% below basic). State - 40%

2010 - 39% (20% below basic). State - 39%

2009 - 54% (11% below basic). State - 40%

2008 - 34% (20% below basic). State - 39%

Science in Motion High School did not take advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate. Ursinus College provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 47% of the Cheltenham High School 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.

Graduation requirements

Four years of English, four of Physical Education, three of Social Studies, three of Mathematics, three of Science, one of Economics, one of Health, Completed Graduation Project.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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. 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 2017, 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 exam. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate. For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will 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.

Administration

In September 2004, newly appointed principal Elliott Lewis announced that he would begin to strictly enforce rules against clothing that is too oversized as well as clothing that is too tight. The former was done in order to improve safety, as clothing that is too loose may obscure student identity cards, and therefore make it easier for intruders to enter the building.

Dual enrollment

Cheltenham 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 offered 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. Under state rules, other students that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are homeschooled are eligible to participate in this program. In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.

For the 2009-10 funding year, the Cheltenham Township School District received a state grant of $11,657 for the program.

SAT scores

In 2012, 294 Cheltenham High School students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 514. The Math average score was 515. The Writing average score was 515. 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 2011, 301 Cheltenham High School students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 513. The Math average score was 520. The Writing average score was 505. 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.

Advanced Placement courses

Cheltenham offers 29 AP courses, ranging from math to art. They are: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB & BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP English, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French, AP German, AP Human Geography, AP US Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Latin Literature, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics B, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP United States History, AP World History.

Students must achieve a minimum of a 3 out of 5 on the final exam to be eligible for college credits. The amount of credits awarded for a specific course is at the discretion of the university the student attends. Many universities require at least a score of 4 to be considered for credits.

Classes

Cheltenham High School provides a wide range of classes for students, allowing them to customize their curriculum to their interests and future endeavors.

English

English is taught through all four years of high school. Students learn new vocabulary, study poetry and Shakespeare plays, discuss grade appropriate reading material, and are taught the correct way to write analytical essays, in preparation for college.

Social Studies

Social Studies has an assigned curriculum every year, broken down as follows: 9th grade: World Cultures, 10th grade: World History, 11th grade: American History, 12th grade: Economics.

There are AP courses that can be taken in place of or in addition to these requirements.

Mathematics

Math varies for each student depending upon which level they have tested. Typically students take Algebra I in 9th grade, Geometry in 10th grade, Algebra II in 11th grade, and Pre-Calculus in 12th grade. Some students start 9th grade at Geometry, and then finish with Calculus. Advanced students start 9th grade with Algebra II, and take Calculus II as a senior.

Science

For Science, all 9th graders are assigned Biology, 10th graders, Chemistry. 11th graders and 12th graders have choices such as Marine Biology, Physics, Microbiology, Anatomy, and other AP level courses.

World Languages

CHS offers four languages: Spanish, French, Latin, and German. Languages are initially introduced at Cedarbrook Middle School in 7th grade. Each language has 5 levels of curriculum, and while not mandatory, some students opt to advance to the highest level, focusing on one language.

Unified Arts

Unified Arts is a collection of courses revolving around fine arts and other types of vocations. These courses include Art (I, II, III), Choirs (including an award-winning Honors Choir program), Technical Drawing, Photography, Architectural Drawing, Building Structures, Woodworking Technology (I, II, III), Jewelry, Culinary Arts, TV Production, Graphic Arts, Pottery, et al.. These courses can be taken as majors or minors.

Physical Education

Freshmen are assigned gym classes all four marking periods, but 10th, 11th, and 12th graders can select which gym activity they want to participate in. During the 4th marking period, students have a series of Physical Fitness Tests, to see if they qualify for the National Physical Fitness Award or the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. The Cheltenham Township School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the high school received $100,000. The High School received $187,351 in 2008-09, yielding a total funding of $287,351. Among the public school districts in County the highest award was given to area School District which received . The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

Extracurriculars

Cheltenham Township School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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.

Athletics

CHS is a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), and in the Suburban One American Conference (SOL). It was one of the founding members of the SOL in 1922, and is one of 4 of the remaining original schools. Cheltenham Athletics promote sportsmanship above self, and therefore, consistently receive the SOL Sportsmanship Award. Cheltenham offers a variety of sports for its students. Asterisk designates available to both boys and girls.

Girls Basketball Team

The Cheltenham Girls basketball team by far has had more success than any other team in the school. The team won the PIAA AAAA state championship in 2000, and again in 2007. They have also won numerous PIAA District 1 titles, and also have won the Suburban One American Conference 23 times. Coach Bob Schaefer won his 700th game on February 5, 2010, and has proudly coached the Panthers for 30 years. He has coached numerous 1000 point scorers, and also the WBCA All-American Forward, Laura Harper, who currently plays in the WNBA. Harper scored 2007 points during her Cheltenham Career. In 2007 (their 2nd championship year), the Panthers were honored by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame with the "Pride of Philadelphia Award," along with Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies. The award is given to individuals or teams who have "represented the Philadelphia area with dignity, determination, and class through athletic achievement. " On Tuesday March 27, 2012, the end of an era was announced when coach Bob Schafer resigned from his 31-year post as the Lady Panthers head coach. He finished with a 757-163 record, 2 PIAA AAAA state titles, 2 state runner-up, 4 District I Championships, and the Suburban One League champions 24 out of the last 26 years. Schaefer, a West Hazleton native, was inducted into the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame in September, 2012.

Cheltenham–Abington rivalry

The Cheltenham–Abington rivalry, also known as "The Turkey Bowl", is a football game played between the Cheltenham Panthers and the Abington Galloping Ghosts. It has been played annually on Thanksgiving Day since 1915, unless one of the teams has conflicts with PIAA playoffs. The rivalry is the fifth-oldest public high school rivalry in Pennsylvania, and the seventh-oldest including private schools. The schools are less than 2 miles apart. Despite not being in the same conference, the rivalry is prevalent in other sports, mainly basketball. In some sports, the teams do not play each other at all. Abington leads the overall series 55–34-6. Below is a chart of the all-time games of the rivalry.

Media

Cheltenham High School publishes a school newspaper "The Cheltonian," the school yearbook "El Delator," and various interviews, polls, and student work aired on Comcast channel 42, which is the township channel.

Theatre

Cheltenham hosts an annual Music Theatre production, which occurs annually on the week preceding Spring Break.

Outstanding Educator of the Year Award

At every graduation ceremony from 2008 to 2011, an Outstanding Educator of the Year Award was presented to a Cheltenham High School teacher. The award was based on a student vote. The following is a list of all the winners.

Notable alumni

The Cheltenham High School Hall of Fame was established to "acknowledge the achievements of our alma mater's most remarkable graduates". The first class was in 1981, and have had inductions in 1984, 1987, 1993, 1996, 1999, and 2002. Hall of Fame inductees have a HoF next to their name.

Candace Allen, '01 Miss District of Columbia USA 2006

Michael Baylson '57 Federal Judge for United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania HoF

Brandon Bing, '07 Professional Football Player for the New York Giants

Michael Brecker, '67 Grammy Award-winning Jazz Artist HoF

Randy Brecker, '63 Grammy Award-winning Jazz Artist HoF

Michael S. Brown, MD, '58 1985 Nobel Prize in Medicine HoF

David Burd, '06 Rapper, known as Lil Dicky

Laurie Colwin, '62 Author and Columnist HoF

Rebecca Creskoff, '89 Actress

Josh Fattal, American hiker detained in Iran from 2009–2011

Tom Feeney, Member of Congress, R-FL

Stuart F. Feldman (1937–2010), co-founder of Vietnam Veterans of America.

Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General, United States Department of Justice HoF

Wilmot E. Fleming, '35 State Senator HoF

Jon D. Fox, '65 U.S. Congressman HoF

Patricia Greenspan, '62 Philosopher

Robert Greenstein '63 founder and President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities HoF

Laura Harper, '04 Professional Basketball Player

Trina Schart Hyman, '56 Artist & Illustrator HoF

Reggie Jackson, '64 Professional Baseball Player HoF

Maxine Kumin '42 Poet and Novelist HoF

Mark Levin, '75 Conservative Talk Radio Host & Attorney

Richard Levinson, '52 Emmy Award-Winning Writer & Producer HoF

Chad Levitt (b. 1975), '93 American NFL football player

Franz Lidz, '69 Journalist whose memoir, Unstrung Heroes, became a 1995 feature film directed by Diane Keaton

William Link, '52 Emmy Award-Winning Writer & Producer HoF

Craig Littlepage, '69 College Administrator & Educator HoF

Jeff Lorber, '70 Musician HoF'

Mary Ellen Mark, '58 Photojournalist HoF

Robert J. Myers, '29 Co-creator of United States Social Security program HoF

Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, '67 Prime Minister of Israel HoF

Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu (1946–1976), '64 Israeli military hero HoF

Ronald Perelman, '60 billionaire, philanthropist

Brad Raider, '93 Actor

David Saxon, '37 Physicist, Educator & Administrator HoF

Norma Shapiro '45 U.S. District Court Judge HoF

Ronald M. Shapiro, '60 Notable Sports Agent, Corporate Attorney, New York Times Best Selling Author HoF

Robert C. Solomon, PhD, '60 Author & Educator HoF

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld Senior Associate Dean for Executive Programs and Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management at Yale

Wallace Triplett, '45 Professional Football Player HoF

Kate Vrijmoet, '84 Artist

Chris Williams, '02 Professional Soccer Player for Miami FC

Notable faculty

Paul Westhead Former Cheltenham Boys Basketball Coach, current Oregon Ducks women's basketball coach; also coached the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, and La Salle Explorers, among others.