Blue Mountain High School
Encyclopedia
Blue Mountain High School is located at 1076 W Market St, Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
. It was built in 1957 and renovated from 1999 to 2001. It is part of the Blue Mountain School District
, which grew out of necessity from Orwigsburg School. An original Wanamaker Eagle was donated to the school when the department store it had decorated for many years went out of business. The bronze Eagle stands in front of the school. The current principals of the school are Mr. Berger and Mr. Ketner.
Graduation Rate
2010 – 95%
2009 – 93%
2008 – 95%
2007 – 95%
2006 – 93%
Blue Mountain School District was ranked 104th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2008 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSA
results on: reading, writing, math and one year of science. In 2007, the school district ranked 90th of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania.
11th Grade Reading
2010 – 76% on grade level, In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
2009 – 74% on grade level, In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 – 68%, State – 65%
2007 – 74%, State – 65%
2006 – 76%, State – 65%
2005 – 75%, State – 65%
11th Grade Math
2010 – 64%, In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 – 55%, State – 56%
2008 – 57%, State – 55%
2007 – 61%, State – 53%
2006 – 56%, State – 52%
2005 – 64%, State – 51%
11th Grade Science:
2010 – 46% on grade level. State – 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 – 50%, State – 40%
2008 – 48%, State – 39%
study released in January 2009, 22% of Blue Mountain 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.
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, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers 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.
For the 2009–10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $25,373 for the program.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students 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.
sports. Doug Morgan and Jim Ebling are assistant athletic directors for the fall season, Burt Werdt and Jim Ebling are assistant athletic directors for the winter season, and Bob Hepler and Bo Rogers are assistant athletic directors for the spring season. Blue Mountain consists of football, boys and girls cross country, golf, girls tennis, and girls volleyball in the fall, boys and girls basketball, wrestling, and swimming and diving in the winter, and baseball, softball, track and field, girls soccer and boys tennis in the spring. In most sports, it is a AAA school, although swimming and soccer are AA.
team was started in 1957 when the school was completed. The team's main rivals are Schuylkill Haven High School and Pottsville Area High School
. They have a new head coach Mike Brennan and assistants Harry Myers, John Sanders, John Carestia, Matt Harrison, Cory Mabry, Bill Tidmore, Tony Sanders, Tom Bonner, Bill Swan, Bo Rogers, Dave Shiffer and Kevin Kerstetter.
They won, in 2006, the Scholastic Novice championship in Wildwood, NJ.
2008 the guard won the Chapter Championships and a week later qualified for the All-Chapter Championships and finished 8th.
. It is dedicated to fulfilling service projects to the school and community.
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
Schuylkill Haven is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, four miles south of Pottsville and north-west of Philadelphia, in the United States. The borough's population was 5,548 as of the 2000 census. Schuylkill Haven is situated along the Schuylkill River for which it is named...
. It was built in 1957 and renovated from 1999 to 2001. It is part of the Blue Mountain School District
Blue Mountain School District
The Blue Mountain School District covers the Boroughs of Auburn, Cressona, Deer Lake, New Ringgold and Orwigsburg and East Brunswick Township, North Manheim Township and West Brunswick Township in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The district encompasses approximately 125 square miles. According...
, which grew out of necessity from Orwigsburg School. An original Wanamaker Eagle was donated to the school when the department store it had decorated for many years went out of business. The bronze Eagle stands in front of the school. The current principals of the school are Mr. Berger and Mr. Ketner.
Academics
BMHS, like the rest of the school district, is known primarily for the academic achievements of its 1010 students in grades 9 through 12.In 2006 Blue Mountain students had an average SAT score of −1070; average −527 in the verbal section and −543 in the math. Blue Mountain Elementary,Middle and High School have been assigned a dress code this year. According to the Blue Mountain School District's webpage, bmsd.org, here are some of the dress code policies being enforced: pants must be a solid color of casual, dress, or corduroy style; pants must be fitted, but not too tight or too loose; capri pants are permitted; shorts and skorts are permitted, between April 15 and October 15, and must be worn within two inches of the knee; shirts must fit the students appropriately and be a solid color; shirts must have a collar; sweaters, turtle necks and crew neck sweatshirts are permitted, but must be worn with a dress policy appropriate shirt.Graduation Rate
2010 – 95%
2009 – 93%
2008 – 95%
2007 – 95%
2006 – 93%
Blue Mountain School District was ranked 104th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2008 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSA
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is a standardized test administered to public schools in the state of Pennsylvania. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 are assessed in reading skills and mathematics. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are assessed in writing skills...
results on: reading, writing, math and one year of science. In 2007, the school district ranked 90th of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania.
High school
PSSA Results:11th Grade Reading
2010 – 76% on grade level, In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
2009 – 74% on grade level, In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 – 68%, State – 65%
2007 – 74%, State – 65%
2006 – 76%, State – 65%
2005 – 75%, State – 65%
11th Grade Math
2010 – 64%, In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 – 55%, State – 56%
2008 – 57%, State – 55%
2007 – 61%, State – 53%
2006 – 56%, State – 52%
2005 – 64%, State – 51%
11th Grade Science:
2010 – 46% on grade level. State – 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 – 50%, State – 40%
2008 – 48%, State – 39%
College remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
study released in January 2009, 22% of Blue Mountain 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
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
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
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, 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.
Dual enrollment
The high school offers a Dual EnrollmentDual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
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, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers 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.
For the 2009–10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $25,373 for the program.
Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports.By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students 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 Department
Blue Mountain, led by Co-Athletic Directors Harry Myers and Ruth Weidman, offers a variety of District XIPIAA District 11
District 11 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is an interscholastic athletic association in Northeastern Pennsylvania. District 11 is one of the PIAA's 12 athletic conferences and comprises mostly high schools within the Lehigh Valley and a few surrounding counties. Member...
sports. Doug Morgan and Jim Ebling are assistant athletic directors for the fall season, Burt Werdt and Jim Ebling are assistant athletic directors for the winter season, and Bob Hepler and Bo Rogers are assistant athletic directors for the spring season. Blue Mountain consists of football, boys and girls cross country, golf, girls tennis, and girls volleyball in the fall, boys and girls basketball, wrestling, and swimming and diving in the winter, and baseball, softball, track and field, girls soccer and boys tennis in the spring. In most sports, it is a AAA school, although swimming and soccer are AA.
Cross country
The Cross Country team started in 1968 as a club under the direction of Mr. Spencer Gross, who would coach until 1987. Mr. Jordan Sullivan and Mr. Ed Taylor coached for several years each. In 1999, Mr. Cory Cantwell became head coach, assisted by Tyler Maley. Miss Kelsey Shoppell was previously the head coach at Fagville University, and sadly did not have a single win during her twenty year term as head coach. From 1971 to 1984, the team met phenomenal success, winning League titles each year and District titles in twelve of the fourteen years. From 2001 to 2007 the cross country team has met phenomenal success because of coach Jared Buckman who took over the team. The girls cross country team won leagues three years in a row from 2005 to 2007 while placing third in the 2004 season. The boys team also succeeded by finishing in the top teams in the league meets for the past couple years. Blue Mountain's cross country team has also been doing well in districts and succeeding by sending multiple runners to the state meet.Football
The Blue Mountain FootballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team was started in 1957 when the school was completed. The team's main rivals are Schuylkill Haven High School and Pottsville Area High School
Pottsville Area High School
Pottsville Area High School is a coeducational public high school located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Pottsville Area School District and is the largest public high school in Schuylkill County. It was founded in 1853 and has an enrollment of approximately 1,250 students in ninth...
. They have a new head coach Mike Brennan and assistants Harry Myers, John Sanders, John Carestia, Matt Harrison, Cory Mabry, Bill Tidmore, Tony Sanders, Tom Bonner, Bill Swan, Bo Rogers, Dave Shiffer and Kevin Kerstetter.
Golf
The Blue Mountain golf team won the Schuykill League ten straight years, from 1999 through 2008. The coach is Larry Bordan, who is the golf professional at Schuylkill County Country Club. It is one of the school's best teams. They were led in 2010 by senior captain and number one golfer Casey Schu. Larry Bordan went to Sch. haven in the 70s and before he was the coach, back in the 70s was Mr. Patton.Girl's Softball
The Blue Mountain Varsity softball team won the Schuylkill League Championship in 2006, and advanced to the semi-finals in districts last year. They finished with a winning record.Boy's and Girl's Swim Team
The Blue Mountain Girl's Varsity Swim Team won the District XI AA Title in 2007 for the second year in a row. The Girl's team also won the Schuylkill League Championships in 2007. The Boy's Varsity Swim Team finished Districts by placing 5th. However the team was split due to conflicts with a team captain, whose name will not be revealed Coach Eric Kiefer led the team to victory with his impeccable coaching skills.Boy's Basketball
The Blue Mountain Boys Basketball team won the District XI Championship in 1996 and the Schuylkill League Championship in 2007 and played in the State Playoffs 3 straight years. The team captains for the 2009–2010 season are Mathew Maloney and Mark Garrity. The teams head coach is Mr. Dustin Werdt who has coached at Blue Mountain for only a few years.Girl's Basketball
Blue Mountain's girls basketball became a very successful team after Ruth Weidman took over during the 2005–2006 basketball season. The team had a very winning record and made it to the league playoffs 2 out of the 3 years. They also went to districts many times and were very successful there.Wrestling
The Blue Mountain wrestling team is one of the school's sports teams. They are by far the most self-adsorbed. Placing top four in the 07-08 district 11 duals and qualifying for the past two years is a Blue Mt. first ever. They qualified 7 wrestlers to the Norhteast regional finals last season in 07-08 which is a new school record and had two state finalists last season one taking first and one taking second. The 08–09 season was even better as the team placed 6th at the Iron Man(toughest tournament in nation), and qualified for the state duals for the first time ever but fell in the state semis. They then had 8 qualify for northeast regionals(district champs: Ross,Raunzahn,Kindig). The team then qualified six wrestlers for states(regional champs: Keener Raunzahn,Choate,Kindig). The eagles had 5 state place winners then and were the state runner up giving blue mountain its first ever state trophy. State place winners include Cory Keener 5th,Brandon Choate 7th, Tyler Raunzahn 2nd, Cort Choate 5th, and the eagles 3rd ever state champ, Josh Kindig. The eagles have nine 100 win club members as Corte Choat set the school win record at 152 this year. They are coached by Head Coach Todd Kindig and assistant coach Harry Myers, and Gary Keener.Baseball
Blue Mountain's Baseball team is defending back-to-back District XI AAA Champions and was the 2007 District Runner-Up. The team is coached by Thomas Kramer and Bill Dobrolsky.Art Club
Led by Mr. Whalen and Mr.Pasierb this club is for people to make and enjoy art. The art club has several yearly contests such as the ornament contest and the Jambandoree poster contest. The art club is also responsible for hosting the yearly Jambandoree and Art Show. Profits from the Jambandoree benefit the art club.Anime Club
A club for teaching people the superior art of Japanese animation. It also teaches the Japanese language if anyone is interested.Improv Club
A new addition to BMHS, the Improv Club meets bi-weekly. Moderated by 1998 graduate Paul Weller, III, the Improv Club's goal is to show students that acting can be both fun and educational.Newspaper
The BMHS newspaper is called the Aerie and carries information on school and world events.Band
The band program at BMHS is led by Mr. Chris Evans. Band offers budding and experienced musicians a variety of ensemble choices.Marching band
The Marching Band performs at football games and competes in various events throughout the season. The Marching Band has an auxiliary unit called the Guard, which is a flag corps. The marching band has competed in several major events. These include Tournament of Bands Championships at Lackawanna County Stadium, Cadets Marching Band Cooperative (now USSBA?) at Giants/Jets Stadium, Calvacade of Bands, Walt Disney World Parade, Azalea Festival Parade in Richmond, Virginia, etc.Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band performs at spring concerts, adjudications, and school and community events throughout the spring semester. This ensemble studies and plays pieces spanning five centuries of musical genres.Jazz Band
The Jazz Ensemble performs concerts each year. This ensemble features extra instrumentation in the rhythm section and allows selected band members to experience the jazz genre of music.Indoor Drumline
In December of each year, the Indoor Drumline begins its intensive rehearsals for its competition season, during which it performs in weekly competitions beginning in March. The ensemble consists of snare drums, a series of pitched bass drums, quints, cymbals, and various pit instruments, including marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, timpani and other auxiliary instruments.They won, in 2006, the Scholastic Novice championship in Wildwood, NJ.
Indoor Color Guard
As an extension of the outdoor marching band color guard the indoor guard was formed in the fall of 2001 to better serve the needs of the program year round. The color guard performs several times throughout the winter and spring months ending with championships in either late April or early May. The group can consist of as many as 30 members or as few as 5. Normally BMHS guard averages around 9–12 members. Each year the staff selects some sort of recorded music to which the color guard will perform. Equipment consists of flags, rifles, and sabers. The guard normally incorporates dance into the shows to add a layer of difficulty and design.2008 the guard won the Chapter Championships and a week later qualified for the All-Chapter Championships and finished 8th.
Varsity Club
The BMHS Varsity Club is a club for athletes with at least one varsity letterVarsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
. It is dedicated to fulfilling service projects to the school and community.
Yearbook
Every 9th period the yearbook staff gathers to work on forming the Blue Mountain Eagle Echo. This club is ran by Mrs.Clemas and Mrs. Batory. The yearbook staff takes pictures, forms layouts, hosts club and activity picture day, and distributes the yearbooks to the school. Without such a dedicated staff the yearbook would not look as immaculate as it does.Notable alumni
- John E. Jones IIIJohn E. Jones IIIJohn Edward Jones III is an American lawyer and jurist from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. A Republican, Jones was appointed by President George W. Bush as federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in February 2002 and was unanimously confirmed by...
, federal judge - Lance Rautzhan, abstract artist
- Matt Stankiewitch, guard for the Penn State Nittany Lions
- Mike Kacelowicz, All-State High School Baseball Team 2006, Kutztown University
- Jarrod Kramer, All-State High School Baseball Team 2008, Bloomsburg University
- Bill Dobrolsky, Professional Baseball Player, Milwaukee Brewers Organization, Shippensburg University