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Pennridge highlights rising AP pass rates, expanded internships and return of cyber students to the district
Summary
Administrators reported higher AP pass rates, a new cooperative program with Upper Bucks Technical School (six paid co-op positions), a completed STEM classroom and efforts to bring students back from cyber charter schools — changes administrators said saved the district over $400,000 this summer.
District leadership told the board the new school year opens with measurable academic and programmatic changes.
Board President and Superintendent briefed the board on AP participation and pass rates, saying the districts AP pass rate this year reached 93 percent compared with an average pass rate of 82 percent over the previous four years; staff reported participation and exam counts also rose and characterized the gains as contributing to higher school rankings.
Administrative priorities the board heard included standardizing data collection across schools to target supports, installing new audiovisual and pan-tilt-zoom cameras in the boardroom, finishing a new STEM classroom that replaces the former metal shop, and continuing efforts to reduce operating costs as enrollment declines.
The board approved a memorandum of understanding to start a paid cooperative education program with the Upper Bucks Technical School. The MOU creates six paid co-op placements for Tech School students to work in district departments two days a week; employee mentors will receive an extra $1.50 per hour when supervising a co-op student. The motion passed 9-0.
Administrators said the district also worked this summer to enroll students who had attended cyber charter schools into the districts cyber program and in-district options; the administration reported bringing back 24 students from cyber charters during the summer and estimated that produced savings to the district exceeding $400,000.
District technology and transportation updates included redistributed student laptops, upgrades to audio in the boardroom and route efficiency work by the transportation department led by Jessica Kraus. Leaders said routes were adjusted to improve efficiency for students, families and drivers.
