Williamsburg Jr./Sr. High School has a rich history of fostering growth of the

“whole student” through its solid academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular

programs. Our mission statement is that “All students will be given the opportu-

nity to succeed in a changing world and become positive contributors to soci-

ety.” We believe that our small school setting provides students with individual-

ized learning experiences that best prepares students to be college and career

ready. Please review the information in this document to learn about the many

opportunities that WHS offers its students and the community of Williamsburg.

Academic Programming at WHS

FAST FACTS

Description: Six-year comprehensive junior/senior high school Grades 7—12 Student Population: Approximately 200 Programs:

College Preparatory

Vocational Agriculture

Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center (GACTC)

Graduation Credit Requirements:

W I L L I A M S B U R G C O M M U N I T Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

Extracurricular and Athletic Opportunities

Aevidum

Blue Pirate Network

Buccaneer-School Newspaper

Careers in Health Club

Concert Band and Marching

Band

Drama Club

FFA

Library Club

Majorettes and Silks

National Honor Society

PJAS

Scholastic Quiz Bowl

Speech Team

Ski Club

Sustainability Club

Student Council

Yearbook

Baseball

Basketball

Cheerleading

Cross Country

Football

Softball

Track and Field

Volleyball

Williamsburg Jr./Sr. High School

English 4

Mathematics 4

Science 4

Social Studies 4

Health/PE 2.6

Arts and Humanities 2

Electives 5.4

Total 26

MCL Consortium

During the 2014-15 school year, WHS joined the Pennsylvania Mass Custom-

ized Learning (MCL) consortium, in partnership with Intermediate Unit 8. The

school district is committed to enhancing and individualizing learning experiences

for students, and participating in the MCL partnership gives WHS the ability to

continue to tailor educational pursuits for students. Be sure to inquire about the

progress in implementing MCL for students at WHS! For additional information

about MCL, check out Inevitable: Mass Customized Learning—Learning for the

Age of Empowerment by Charles Schwahn and Beatrice McGarvey.

Average SAT

Scores are in

the 1450

range for

Reading, Math,

and Writing

Classes of 2014 and 2015

Post-Graduation Plans

Colleges and Technical Schools

Attended by Recent Graduates

Bloomsburg University

Blue Ridge Technical School

Clarion University

DeVry University

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Juniata College

Lee University

Lock Haven University

Messiah College

Mount Aloysius College

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Penn State University-University Park

Penn State University-Altoona

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pittsburgh Technical Institute

Shippensburg University

South Hills School of Business and Technology

St. Francis University

Triangle Tech

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Wyotech

YTI

WHS Graduates Have Promising Futures!

WHS strives to prepare students to be college and career-ready. Students

work closely with the school counselor throughout their time at WHS to deter-

mine which post-secondary path best suits their needs. The school emphasizes

and strongly encourages participation in job-shadowing experiences, post-

secondary presentations, school and campus visits, and career assessments and

writing in order to help students gain a better understanding of the world of

work and the training necessary to reach individualized goals. In addition, the

school promotes career and technical education through a partnership with the

Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center (GACTC). Approximately 40% of

senior high students attend a GACTC program. These students are often able to

directly enter the workforce using their specialized certification area. In addi-

tion, many of these students complete internships which lead to future employ-

ment.

As evidenced by the large percentage of WHS students attending post-

secondary education, and by anecdotal testimonies by former students, it is

obvious that WHS prepares students for life!

Dual Enrollment Opportunities

Four-year Degree 39%

Two-year Degree or

Certification

24%

Military 7%

Workforce 19%

Many students at WHS earn college credits as part of their regular education!

Through the College Academy Program (CAP), students can take courses taught

by WHS staff, can enroll in courses at a local college or university, can utilize

online learning opportunities, or may work toward agricultural credits through

an articulation agreement. Listed below are our college partners.

32% of Seniors and

39% of Juniors

earned College Credit

last year, for a

combined total of 249

credits earned!

The School Performance Profile is a state-created measure that provides demo-

graphic data, academic data, and an academic performance score for public schools

in the state. While Pennsylvania schools have previously received designations

under No Child Left Behind (e.g., Made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Making

Progress, Warning, School Improvement, Corrective Action), schools now receive

an academic performance score based upon test scores, progress in closing

achievement gaps, and degree of student growth over time. Also factored into the

score are graduation, promotion, and attendance rates along with evidence of rig-

orous course offerings.

When comparing schools using SPP scores, it is best to look at schools with simi-

lar demographics, SES status, and grade-level compositions (7-12 HS, 9-12 HS, MS,

etc.). The SPP score does not encompass all that goes into educating students, and

therefore, should be further scrutinized to assess a school’s performance. WHS is

proud of its student performance, though always strives for improvement. This

documents shows many of the positive programs and offerings that truly reflects

the success at WHS.

School Performance Profile (SPP)

13-14 SPP Information

SPP Score: 68.9 Proficient and Advanced Students Advanced Students Other Academic Indicators

14-15 SPP Information available

in the Fall of 2015

School Goals

Mathematics/Algebra I 77%

Reading/Literature 80%

Mathematics/Algebra I 48%

Reading/Literature 21%

WHS routinely sets student and performance goals and relies on the compre-

hensive planning process to make long-term educational decisions. The school is

currently working to enhance student writing by implementing the Collins Writing

Program across all content areas in Grades K-12. In addition, the school has im-

plemented the PA Core standards and aims to enhance these performance stan-

dards by focusing professional development around increasing the level of rigor

through concentrating on student depth of knowledge and understanding. These

skills are needed to fully implement PA Core English Language Arts (ELA) and

Mathematics standards, and our new math and ELA curricula reflect these expec-

tations.

Cohort Graduation Rate 94%

Attendance Rate 95%

AP/IB/College Credit 100

PSAT Participation 100

Technology Student Services

Student and guidance services are an integral part of the

program at WHS. The guidance department not only orches-

trates guidance around career opportunities and preparation,

but also provides programming to meet student social and

emotional needs. The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is one

service that is provided to help students overcome obstacles

that may be getting in the way of learning. In addition, the

guidance department works closely with academic advisors and

students on the student Graduation Portfolio. The portfolio

consists of a career paper, resume, cover letter, community

service hours, and student interview. In addition, students are

encouraged to participate in job-shadowing and to visit per-

spective post-secondary schools.

The guidance department also helps students register for the

SATs, provides FAFSA and PHEAA financial aid and financial

planning workshops, and helps to coordinate “Decision Day”

activities as they transition to life after school.

The high school has recently upgraded wiring throughout the

building and increased the wireless coverage. With many addi-

tional uses for technology, keeping the infrastructure up to

date is important, and is an area of concentration for the dis-

trict.

There are two dedicated areas for computer labs. The dis-

tance learning lab provides students with the opportunity to

participate in virtual field trips and, when applicable, corre-

spond with others for courses and meetings. This lab provides

PCs for a full classroom. The second dedicated lab is in the li-

brary. There is a full classroom set of laptop PCs available for

student use.

The school is also utilizing Chromebooks for educational pur-

poses. All students in Grades 9, 10, and 12 gain experience in a

blended learning environment but utilizing Chromebooks and

Blended Schools. The availability to use this technology pre-

pares students for future technology use expectations.

SCHOOL BOARD

Dr. Barry M. England, President

Janet S. Lee, Vice President

Patricia A. Kensinger, Treasurer

Kristina S. Bratton

Amy E. Hileman

Marion H. Pheasant

Benjamin C. Postles

Karyn S. Shaw

Julie R. Woodling

Brendan Moran, Solicitor

Kalie R. Zabrosky, Business Mgr.

ADMINISTRATION/

PERSONNEL

Acting Superintendent

Lisa M. Murgas

Secondary Principal

Travis R. Lee

Elementary Head Teacher

Jennifer Metzler

School Counselor

Carrie Loose

Athletic Director

Robert Hearn

The Building History of WHS

Williamsburg Community High School was founded in 1897. The current high

school building was built in 1918, with four original classrooms. The first addition to

the building was made in 1938, adding the auditorium/gymnasium, boiler room,

industrial arts shop, and five additional classrooms. The next addition took place in

1942, adding seven more classrooms. The third addition came in 1964, which

added the science rooms, guidance office, nurse’s suite, and the current distance

learning classroom and technology office. The final additions came in 1979, and

included the gymnasium, library, district office, and elevator. In 1999, major build-

ing renovations took place, mostly affecting building systems such as plumbing, elec-

trical, heating, windows, and the roof. As part of this renovation, several classrooms

were completely remodeled. The most recent building renovations, on a small-scale

effort, began in 2012. Since 2012, the district has refinished the hardwood floors in

the hallways, has made significant improvements to the gymnasium and auditorium,

has painted the hallways and has been committed to on-going technology infrastruc-

ture improvements.

Community and School Demographics

Williamsburg is a small community that is surrounded by picturesque dairy farms

in an area rich with historical heritage. Williamsburg Borough is located in northeast

Blair County along the Frankstown Brach of the Juniata River. Originally settled in

1790 by Jacob Ake, Williamsburg was the first borough incorporated in Blair County.

The town has a population of 1,345 (2000 census) while the school district popula-

tion is 3,740. Historically, the Williamsburg area has been famous for its iron fur-

naces, quarries, and canal. Today, Cenveo, Cove Forge Behavioral Healthy Systems,

and various farm services provide employment to area residents. The Lower Trail

and Riverside Park, along with youth sporting complexes, regularly bring visitors to

the area.

The Williamsburg Community School District encompasses all the area of Wil-

liamsburg Borough, Catherine Township, and Woodbury Township (64 sq. miles).

The district is bounded by six (6) neighboring school districts: Altoona, Hollidays-

burg, Spring Cove, and Tyrone in Blair County and Juniata Valley and Huntingdon

School Districts in Huntingdon County. Approximately 97% of students are White

(non-Hispanic) and approximately 48% of students that attend WCSD qualify for a

free or reduced-price lunch.

The administrative staff of WCSD includes the Acting Superintendent, Lisa M.

Murgas; High School Principal, Travis R. Lee; Elementary Head Teacher, Jennifer A.

Metzler; Business Manager, Kalie Zabrosky; Assistant Business Manager Shawna R.

Lynn; Administrative Secretary, Tina L. Bowmaster; Systems Administrator, Arianne

V. Waddington; Maintenance Supervisor, Glenn F. Kagarise; and Custodial Supervi-

sor, Michael Mingle. The district employs 36 professional teaching staff, all of whom

are highly qualified and have13 years of average teaching experience, and 18 sup-

port staff.

WILLIAMSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT

“All students will be given the opportunity to succeed in a

changing world and become positive contributors to society.”