Susquehanna Township High School is a public high school

High school

High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....

 located in Harrisburg

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...

, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

 serving students from Susquehanna Township

Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 24,036 at the 2010 census. This represents a 9.8% increase from the 2000 census count of 21,895. Susquehanna Township has the postal ZIP codes 17109 and 17110, which maintain the Harrisburg place...

.

Graduation Rate

In 2011, the graduation rate was 91%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Susquehanna Township High School's rate was 87% for 2010.

Calculated under former formula:

• 2010 - 97%
• 2009 - 98%
• 2008 - 94%
• 2007 - 94%

Academic achievement

In 2011 the school declined to Warning status due to lower student achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status.

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 65% on grade level, (16% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 73%, State - 67%
• 2009 - 65%, State - 65%
• 2008 - 77%, State - 65%
• 2007 - 73%, State - 65%

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 57%, on grade level (23% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 61%, State - 59%
• 2009 - 60%, State - 56%
• 2008 - 68%, State - 56%
• 2007 - 54%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 32% on grade level (23% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 39%, State - 39%
• 2009 - 35%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 34%, State - 39%

College Remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 44% of Susquehanna Township School District 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 program

The high school offers a Dual Enrollment 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 at their high school. 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 $37,971 for the program.

Similar to Dual Enrollment, the high school also offers seniors the chance to enroll at Capital Area School for the Arts

Capital Area School for the Arts

The Capital Area School for the Arts is an arts magnet school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 2001 as a partnership between the Capital Area Intermediate Unit and Open Stage of Harrisburg. After first moving through several sites in downtown Harrisburg, the school now...

 for half of the day. Credits earned at the CASA program transfer to the high school transcript.

Graduation requirements

The board requires that each candidate for graduation shall have earned 25 credits including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Mathematics 3 credits, Health & Physical Education 2 credits, Careers 0.25 credits, Information Literacy Skills 0.17 credits, and Elective & Major Sequences 8.58 credits.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.

Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in Literature and Algebra 1.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policies. Susquehanna Township does not charge a fee for participation in extracurriculars.

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.

Notable Alumni

Marques Colston

Marques Colston

Marques Colston is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft as a supplemental compensatory pick. Following the trade of receiver Donté Stallworth, Colston was inserted into the starting lineup for week 1 of...

, wide receiver

Wide receiver

A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...

 for the New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

 of the NFL