Latest news with #McDowellHighSchool
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 northwestern Pennsylvania high schools ranked among best in state by Money Inc
Millcreek's McDowell High School is among Pennsylvania's top high schools, according to a 2025 Money Inc ranking. McDowell ranks 27th in the online finance site's list of the "30 Best High Schools in Pennsylvania." The rankings are based on graduation rate, advanced course participation, standardized test scores, career and technical education, and other academic indicators. Rankings also considered student support services and extracurricular opportunities. Titusville High School in Crawford County also made the top-schools rankings, at No. 20. The McDowell High School ranking includes McDowell Intermediate High School. McDowell High School serves students in grades 11 and 12. McDowell Intermediate serves students in grades nine and 10. "The school has established a reputation for academic excellence and comprehensive educational programs," including a variety of Advanced Placement courses and a S.T.E.M. program preparing students for science and technology careers, Money Inc. said in its report. Also according to the ranking, the school offers personalized instruction; has a well qualified staff, including many teachers with advanced degrees in their field; and has a number of students accepted at prestigious colleges and universities. Extracurricular activities, including strong football, basketball and swimming programs, a nationally recognized debate team and award-winning music department also contributed to the ranking. "This recognition exemplifies our commitment to academic excellence, college and career readiness, active community engagement, and a diverse range of extracurricular activities for students," Millcreek Township School District Superintendent John Cavanagh said. "Such an achievement is made possible through the dedication of our outstanding students, committed educators, supportive families, strong leadership, and a school board that champions the initiatives contributing to our success." The ranking will encourage educators to continue to meet and exceed standards, Cavanagh said. "We are genuinely honored to be included on this list, and recognition such as this motivates us to continue our ongoing efforts toward continuous improvement." Almost 2,200 students attended McDowell/McDowell Intermediate in 2024-25, according to Pennsylvania Department of Education data. The school's No. 20 ranking is based on strong personalized education through a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, Advanced Placement and dual enrollment opportunities and strong extracurricular programs, including an acclaimed robotics program. The school's career education programs also figured strongly in the school's ranking. Dual enrollment: PennWest offering more low-cost courses to high school students "The school prides itself on its community involvement and career preparation programs. Students benefit from partnerships with local businesses that provide internship and mentorship opportunities," according to the Money Inc report. It's an honor to be included in the ranking, Titusville schools Superintendent Stephanie Keebler said. "I am proud of the work our high school does, especially in preparing our students to succeed in whatever path they choose, whether it's post-secondary education, the military, technical school or simply being an effective employee in a work setting," Keebler said. "Our high school is a very small rural school, and we do a lot for our students, including providing as many resources as possible to help students succeed." About 580 students were enrolled at the school in 2024-25. "It's great to see both Titusville and McDowell honored in northwestern Pennsylvania," Keebler said. Erie County Technical School: $400,000 grant will help fund solar field Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDowell, Titusville ranked among state's best high schools
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 northwestern Pennsylvania high schools ranked among best in state by Money Inc
Millcreek's McDowell High School is among Pennsylvania's top high schools, according to a 2025 Money Inc ranking. McDowell ranks 27th in the online finance site's list of the "30 Best High Schools in Pennsylvania." The rankings are based on graduation rate, advanced course participation, standardized test scores, career and technical education, and other academic indicators. Rankings also considered student support services and extracurricular opportunities. Titusville High School in Crawford County also made the top-schools rankings, at No. 20. The McDowell High School ranking includes McDowell Intermediate High School. McDowell High School serves students in grades 11 and 12. McDowell Intermediate serves students in grades nine and 10. "The school has established a reputation for academic excellence and comprehensive educational programs," including a variety of Advanced Placement courses and a S.T.E.M. program preparing students for science and technology careers, Money Inc. said in its report. Also according to the ranking, the school offers personalized instruction; has a well qualified staff, including many teachers with advanced degrees in their field; and has a number of students accepted at prestigious colleges and universities. Extracurricular activities, including strong football, basketball and swimming programs, a nationally recognized debate team and award-winning music department also contributed to the ranking. "This recognition exemplifies our commitment to academic excellence, college and career readiness, active community engagement, and a diverse range of extracurricular activities for students," Millcreek Township School District Superintendent John Cavanagh said. "Such an achievement is made possible through the dedication of our outstanding students, committed educators, supportive families, strong leadership, and a school board that champions the initiatives contributing to our success." The ranking will encourage educators to continue to meet and exceed standards, Cavanagh said. "We are genuinely honored to be included on this list, and recognition such as this motivates us to continue our ongoing efforts toward continuous improvement." Almost 2,200 students attended McDowell/McDowell Intermediate in 2024-25, according to Pennsylvania Department of Education data. The school's No. 20 ranking is based on strong personalized education through a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, Advanced Placement and dual enrollment opportunities and strong extracurricular programs, including an acclaimed robotics program. The school's career education programs also figured strongly in the school's ranking. Dual enrollment: PennWest offering more low-cost courses to high school students "The school prides itself on its community involvement and career preparation programs. Students benefit from partnerships with local businesses that provide internship and mentorship opportunities," according to the Money Inc report. It's an honor to be included in the ranking, Titusville schools Superintendent Stephanie Keebler said. "I am proud of the work our high school does, especially in preparing our students to succeed in whatever path they choose, whether it's post-secondary education, the military, technical school or simply being an effective employee in a work setting," Keebler said. "Our high school is a very small rural school, and we do a lot for our students, including providing as many resources as possible to help students succeed." About 580 students were enrolled at the school in 2024-25. "It's great to see both Titusville and McDowell honored in northwestern Pennsylvania," Keebler said. Erie County Technical School: $400,000 grant will help fund solar field Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDowell, Titusville ranked among state's best high schools
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
McDowell celebrates 10 students embarking on military careers
McDowell High School celebrated its first Military Signing Day, honoring 10 students for their commitment to serve in the military. The event took place in McDowell's North gym, traditionally used for athletic recognitions, but this time it was dedicated to students embarking on military careers. The ceremony included traditional elements such as the color guard and the national anthem, underscoring the significance of the students' decision to serve their country. Erie law enforcement express importance of new Paul Miller law 'It means a lot because I haven't really gotten recognized much for my commitment,' said Josh Fairfield, who enlisted in the United States Air Force. 'People tell me congratulations, but this really brings it over the top. I appreciate this a lot.' Megan Boesch, a school counselor at McDowell High School, highlighted the diverse interests of the students, noting, 'They all have different jobs that they're interested in too, and it's fun, kind of highlighting the things that they're good at.' Korasch Weitzer, who enlisted in the Army National Guard, shared her motivation, saying, 'My grandfather served in the Army during Vietnam and I am one of the very few women in my family who have served in the military. I wanted to make a statement and show others that you can be a leader while going to school and earning a degree.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Among the honored students, Ayden Kinnear signed on to be in the United States Army Infantry, expressing his desire to make a tangible difference. 'I felt like with the infantry I'd be causing a tangible difference and I feel like I'd feel proud of it,' he said. The ceremony not only celebrated the students' commitment but also their future roles in the military, with some pursuing specialized careers such as engineering and the medical field. The event marked a significant moment for the students and their families, as they were recognized for their dedication and readiness to serve their country. Presque Isle beaches named among most underrated in the US The Military Signing Day at McDowell High School highlighted the dedication of young individuals ready to serve their country, reflecting their diverse interests and future aspirations within the military. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Military enrollment on the rise, local ROTC program reflects on increase in recruits
Military enrollment is on the rise nationwide. The trend of increased interest in military service is reflected in the McDowell High School Air Force Junior ROTC program, which has seen a significant increase in student participation. The Director of McDowell High School's Air Force Junior ROTC says he works with military recruiters who say a recent surge in enrollment numbers follows a previous decline. 'A handful of years ago, their numbers were way down and they're going up very noticeably,' said Major John Nygaard, Director of McDowell High School's Air Force Junior ROTC. The ROTC program at McDowell High School currently has 80 students enrolled, with expectations to grow to 120 students next year. City of Erie Police highlight crisis unit during Mental Health Awareness Month The increased interest in military careers is evident as four graduates have already enlisted, and three others are entering college ROTC programs or service academies. Caleb Vough, one of the students, has enlisted in the United States Air Force and is set to become an Aerospace propulsion specialist, working on jet engines. Danika Bierer, another student, is enrolled in the Merchant Marine Academy, where she plans to study marine engineering or transportation. Students like Caleb Vough see the military as a practical path to gain education and skills with minimal debt, while Danika Bierer appreciates the job security that comes with her career choice. 'It has to be taken seriously' — New PA law will soon impact drivers Major Nygaard attributes the increase in enrollment to students' desire to join a force focused on readiness and lethality, which resonates with many young people today. The surge in ROTC enrollment at McDowell High School highlights a growing trend among students to pursue military careers, driven by both practical considerations and a sense of purpose. All facts from this article were gathered by WJET/WFXP journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by WJET/WFXP staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Schools across Erie celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
Teachers throughout the United States are getting extra praise this week during Teacher Appreciation Week. The Millcreek Township School District has been showing its gratitude for teachers. Penn State Behrend turns trash into treasure They've had raffles, food deliveries throughout the week, and have gotten plenty of kind notes from students and parents giving thanks to the work that they do. One teacher explained that they truly care about the growth of their kids. Orphan Angels offers new services thanks to HQ remodel 'The thing that makes me feel most appreciated is when the students are engaged and can demonstrate what they're learning, especially in a real-world situation,' said Kevin Jefferys, an English teacher at McDowell High School. 'Teachers are here because we want to be here. This is our profession and calling. It's important to us, and we wouldn't be here if we didn't want to be here. It's a good message for anyone about why we do what we do. We're here for students,' said Laura Oathoute, special education teacher at McDowell High School. Students even decorated the sidewalk of the school with chalk, sharing kind words for teachers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
