Pennridge School District

The district

Pennridge School District, covers approximately 95 square miles (250 km²) with a total population of 45,000 and encompasses eight municipalities, including the boroughs of Dublin, Perkasie, Sellersville, and Silverdale. Bedminster Township, East Rockhill Township, Hilltown Township, and West Rockhill Township also are included.

Foundations and current schools

Pennridge was founded in 1952 by combining the resources of several small municipal school districts, including Sell-Perk School District. The former Sell-Perk High School had been converted to its present use as South Middle School. Today, the district operates 11 schools:

7 elementary schools (of which four are named for past principals):

3 middle schools:

1 high school:

Right now there are approximately 7,200 students enrolled in the entire district. The district employs 478 teachers and over 450 additional staff, including part-time members.

Athletics

All Pennridge School sports compete in the Suburban One League - Continental Conference using the ram as a mascot and green, white and occasionally black for colors. The Varsity Football team historically plays all of their home games at Poppy Yoder Field, a stadium on the grounds of South Middle School. South was formerly known as Sell-Perk High (before Pennridge was formed) and still has its roots embedded in the community. Since October 2008, a turf field has been in use on the grounds of the high school. Lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, track and field, and JV and freshmen football use the turf field. However, the Varsity Football team continues to play at muddy Poppy Yoder in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. There have been talks to renovate Poppy Yoder and possibly complete the stadium at the high school. In recent years, many of the sport teams have had great success. The women's soccer team was conference and District 1 champions in 2011. They were also PIAA Class AAA State Runners-up. In 2009 they were District 1 Champions. The boys' volleyball team was also conference champions, District 1 champions, and PIAA Class AAA State Runners-up.

Growth and development

Pennridge’s administration has had to be very adaptable in recent years as the Pennridge area population continues to grow as an ongoing effect of urban sprawl from Philadelphia. In 1996 the new Central Middle School was added to accommodate rising enrollments and since then, most of the district's elementary schools have undergone expansion and renovation projects. Pennridge has recently built a multimillion-dollar expansion to the current building on the high school campus, which includes a new gymnasium, a natatorium, and cafeteria. Construction of a new auditorium, seating approximately 1200, and renovation of the school's older sections, followed, being completed February 2007. Demolition of the oldest building on campus, the Lower House, began on August 15, 2006 due to the futility of renovation. The building that was the Freshman Center became North Middle School after the High School construction was completed.

Notable alumni