The St. Marys Area Auxiliary High School

An Accredited High School Diploma Program

A New Opportunity For Basic Education

The St. Marys Area School District has always had a strong tradition of developing programs, which meet the needs of its diverse student population. Examples of such programs currently in place are:

Extended Day Kindergarten
Developmental 1st Grade
Middle School Adaptive Class
Instructional Support Team
Student Assistance Program
Tech Prep
School-To-Work
Career Exploration

In an effort to continue this progressive and effective approach to education, your school district is proud to offer selected students the opportunity to achieve their High School Diploma through a self-paced program called "The St. Marys Area Auxiliary High School".

Who Is Eligible To Apply For Placement In The SMA Auxiliary High School?

 Age 16 or older prior to September 10th of the opening year.

 Completed 9th grade.

 Have parental permission to enter the program if under 18 years of age.

 Have agreed to abide by the student contract for SMA Auxiliary High School.

 Candidates for this program will have demonstrated proof of past background situations that would inhibit their attendance and success at St. Marys Area High School. Criteria that may merit acceptance into the program are:

 

1. Unable to complete regular school program during the next two years due to course failure.

    

    

2. Current high school dropouts who have not had their 21st birthday prior to the start of the school year.

    

    

3. Evidence of family or personal hardship that precludes regular school attendance.

    

    

4. Past school background indicates that the students is habitually disruptive to both themselves and others.

    

    

5. Past attendance records demonstrate that the student has a chronic attendance problem.
   
    

    

What will be the daily schedule of SMA Auxiliary High School?

The general schedule of students will allow for individual flexibility but will have weekly time requirements.
The school will be open from 2:00pm to 9:00pm each day or 35 hours per week. Students will be required to have accumulated 20 hours of weekly attendance along with demonstrated academic progress.

Attendance is monitored on a two-week basis, with an average of 20 hours required per each week. Deadlines for mandatory attendance are posted on the bulletin board at the beginning of each semester.

At the conclusion of the two-week attendance period, students who have not attended a minimum of 20 hours per week will be placed on probation and will have one additional week in which to make up their hours. If, after the probationary week, a student has not made-up his or her hours, they will be suspended for a minimum of thirty (30) days at the discretion of the principal. Re-admittance after program suspension will require approval from the principal.

If a student is placed on probation three times within any school year, they will be required to meet with the principal for counseling and may incur a 30-day suspension.

 

What should the student do if he/she can not attend class for the day?

The student must call (814) 781-2129, the Auxiliary High School classroom, to call off for the night or he/she will be marked absent with an illegal excuse.
 

Where should students report when coming to the Auxiliary High School?

Students must report directly to their lockers and the classroom. When they arrive they must sign-in and prior to leaving, the must sign-out and exit the school building.

 

What course work will be offered and how many credits will be needed to graduate from the SMA Auxiliary High School?

An individually credit program will be structured to the needs of each participant. It will be based on the number of credits that the student has already earned along with a current assessment of the student's capabilities. Strong components of computer based instruction in the following required courses for graduation.

English - 4 Credits
Mathematics - 3 Credits
Science - 3 Credits
Social Studies - 4 Credits
Physical Education/Health* - 1.5 Credits
Vocational Preparation - 2 Credits
Work/Service Experiences - 1 Credit
Computer Literacy - .5 Credit
Total Credits - 21



**Career Exploration will be offered to students in the Auxiliary High School during their senior year. Requirements for the career exploration will follow guidelines designed by the St. Marys Area School District.

** To meet graduation requirements, students must participate in the "School-To-Work" program, which is implemented by the St. Marys Area School District.

*Physical Education/Health Credits may be contracted out to appropriate agencies and individuals.

Supportive counseling and "School-To-Work" services will also be available to students.


 

Who will be instructing this coursework?

Two staff members, one a Pennsylvania state certified teacher and the second a secondary education aide, will provide the instruction and mentoring for the above listed offerings. Counselors from the St. Marys Area School District and other community services are available to the students during regular school hours.

 

What will be expected of the student?

Academic expectations are: Student will be expected to demonstrate work habits that will allow satisfactory progress toward the completion of their individual plan. Completion of 1.75 Credits...per each 60 days of school on a self-paced schedule is also an expectation the student must meet. The teacher will regularly assess the progress of the student's work. Appropriate support services will also be provided to the student as needed to help promote academic progress.

 

Behavioral expectations are:

1)Students maintain a positive attitude toward school.

2)The St. Marys Area School District discipline code will be adapted by the SMA Auxiliary High School and is expected to be followed by the student.

3)It is expected that no more than 2 illegal absences be accrued by the student annually.

4)It is expected that the student not incur more than 2 minor discipline actions against him/her while in the program.


If the student is not meeting the above levels of either and/or both academic or behavior achievement, he/she will be withdrawn from the St. Marys Area Auxiliary High School for a minimum of 30 days, after which the student may reapply and be readmitted as space becomes available.

St. Marys Area School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the bias of race, color, national origin, sex, and/or handicap in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title I, and Section 504.

For information regarding civil rights and grievance procedures, contact Cindy Green, Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator, 977 South St. Marys Road, St. Marys, PA 15857 (814) 834-7831.