Lower Moreland Township School District

Updated on Oct 30, 2023

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Type Public CEEB code 390303 Mascot Lion Number of students 2,182 Colors Blue, Gold		Superintendent Dr. Marykay Feeley Grades K-12 National ranking 478 Founded 1850

School district Lower Moreland Township School District Oversight Pennsylvania Department of Education Headquarters Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, United States Motto "Expanding horizons... individualizing excellence" Similar Lower Merion School District, Methacton School District, North Penn School District, Central Bucks School District

The Lower Moreland Township School District is a public school district in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The school district serves the Township of Lower Moreland, a Philadelphia suburb of about 11,000 people. There are three schools: Pine Road School (elementary school), Murray Avenue School (middle school), and Lower Moreland High School.

Map of Lower Moreland Township School District, PA, USA

Administration

Superintendent: Marykay Feeley

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development: Julien Drennan

Director of Special Education: Frank Giordano

Business Manager: Mark McGuinn

Director of Technology: Sue Casagrand

Director of Maintenance and Operations: Mark Sufleta

Lower Moreland High School

Principal: William Miles, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director: Mark Mayson, Assistant Principal: Anthony Veneziale.

School mascot: Lion

School rival: Various – Springfield Township, Holy Ghost Prep, New Hope-Solebury, Bristol

The Lower Moreland High School houses approximately 750 students in grades 9 through 12.

Lower Moreland High School THON is a non-profit organization where the students of Lower Moreland High School come together to raise money for the four diamonds fund, a fund that sponsors a four diamond family who has a child fighting cancer, so they never have to see a bill in the child's' medical treatment. The LMHS THON is a smaller version of the dance marathon at Penn State. Most of the money comes from students raising it or companies that have donated it. Lower Moreland High School THON started in 2008. THON lasts for 12 hours or more, (since it is consistently changing and improving) where the students constantly are standing and are kept occupied by games and competitions so that the time goes by quickly. In 2010 they raised $47,553.28.

Music program

The Lower Moreland Music High School band program has grown and flourished under the direction of Erin Stroup and Sarah Gulish. Four different bands, orchestras, and choirs exist at Lower Moreland High School.

Concert Band: Concert band generally consists of all 9th grade students, and competes separately from the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.

Symphonic Band: Under the conduction of Erin Stroup, the Symphonic Band consists of all band students in grade 10 through 12.

Wind Ensemble: The Lower Moreland Wind Ensemble is a tryout group that plays grade 5 and 6 literature.

Jazz Ensemble: The Lower Moreland Jazz Ensemble is a tryout ensemble at LMHS. In 2011, the LMHS Jazz Ensemble participated in the Disney Honors Festival, where they placed 2nd overall. In 2012, the LMHS Jazz Ensemble participated in the Swing Central Jazz Festival, in Savannah, Georgia, and worked with renowned musicians such as Wycliffe Gordon, Rodney Whitaker, Sean Jones, Herlin Riley, Jeff Clayton, and more. The LMHS Jazz Ensemble has worked with other renowned musicians such as Jeff Coffin, Tom "Bones" Malone, Felix Pastorius, and many more. For the second year in a row, the Jazz Ensemble has been selected to compete in the 2013 Swing Central Jazz Festival. They will travel to Savannah, Georgia, in late March to participate in workshops and clinics. There is only one Jazz Ensemble at the high school, and it is directed by Stroup.

Baseball

They have produced some notable players such as: Shane Barrett-Class of 2007-Shippensburg University, Gary Mitchell-Class of 2007-Minor Leaguer for LA Angels, Jerry Dougherty-Class of 2008-LaSalle University, Dan Cataline-Class of 2008-Philadelphia University, Dave Byck-Class of 2008-West Chester University, and Jake Madnick-Class of 2011-Philadelphia University.

Basketball

Both boys' and girls' teams have been successful recent years. The boys' team was coached by John Conrad from 2004 to 2011, but he accepted a job at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Seth Baron is now the coach and in his first year won the boys’ team first league title in school history, which resulted in the winning of Coach of the Year. The boys' all-time leading scorer is Louis Sarris-Grau(class of 2008). He played at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.

The girls’ team won the Bicentennial Athletic League title four straight years (2006–2009). The girls’ leading scorer is Heather Weindorfer(class of 1993). Weindorfer continue her career at the University of Hartford.

Cross country

Led by long-time head coach Dick Rapson, the cross-country team has always been competitive winning numerous district and league titles.

Football

Head coach Mark Mayson and assistant coach Timothy Reilly have coached for Lower Moreland going on 30 years. The Lions have made three appearances in the state playoffs in the past decade, losing the first round game every time. Some notable teams include: 2006 team (7-4) v. Lansdale Catholic lost 21-28 at Wissahickon High School, Captains-Shane Barrett, Tom Burke, Kiki Javardian, Gary Mitchell, Pat McGarry and Anthony Trentalange; 2008 team (8-3) vs. Ben Franklin lost 6-20 at Lower Moreland High School, Captains-Mike Clauss, Frank McGarry, Brendan Norton and Rob Schulgen; 2009 team (7-4) v. Bok Tech lost 0-42 at South Philadelphia Super Site, Captains-Ryan O'Connell, Steve Turetsky, Nick Grimaldi and Tyler Saitta.

Tennis

In 2007 and again in 2008, the boys' tennis team won the PIAA (AA) state championship. These were the first and second team state championships in the history of Lower Moreland High School athletics. They were led by coaches Jeanette Hausman and Seth Baron and singles players Taylor Cohen, Samuel Harmatz, and Drew Hoffmann. Some notable championships include: 2006: Taylor Cohen/Samuel Harmatz - state doubles champions, 2007: state team champions; Taylor Cohen - state singles champion, 2008: state team champions; Taylor Cohen - state singles champion; Samuel Harmatz/Drew Hoffmann - state doubles champions.

Murray Avenue School

Principal: Ms. Jennifer Dilks, Assistant Principal: Mr. Michael Bourdreau
The Murray Avenue School houses students in grades 6 through 8. At the end of the 2009–2010 school year, upon the retirement of Assistant Principal Mr. Ewart, the Lower Moreland Township School District hired Charles Hurst as their assistant principal. At the beginning of the 2010–2011 school year, Hurst was arrested on charges of corruption of a minor and possession of a controlled substance and was placed on administrative leave.

Pine Road School

Principal: Mr. Brian Swank, Assistant Principal: Mrs. Sharon Franciosa

The Pine Road School houses students in grades Kindergarten through 5. The fourth and fifth grades were transferred from the crowded Murray Avenue School to the Pine Road School at the end beginning of the 2010–2011 school year after the completion of the construction of a new wing.

Notable alumni and staff

Valerie Plame, CIA operative and wife of U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson whose identity was released by White House officials.

Jill Kelley, Lebanese-American socialite, who previously served as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Korea, and was formerly designated as Honorary Ambassador to the U.S. Central Command Coalition. She is currently a privacy and civil liberties Advocate.

William "Bill" Pezza, former Lower Moreland High School history teacher, author and self-publisher of the book Anna's Boys

Robert Wall, Class of 1967, Chairman Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rose Medical Center

Katie Walder is an American actress and Lower Moreland alumna. Walder is known for her roles in Gilmore Girls, How I Met you Mother, and Supernatural. She has also guest-starred in several other television shows such as New Girl and The Good Wife.

Rod J. Rosenstein is the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and a former nominee to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. President Donald Trump nominated Rosenstein to serve as Deputy Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice on January 13, 2017.