About Us
The Montrose Area School District is comprised of the northwestern portion of Susquehanna County in Northeast Pennsylvania. The district covers 228 square miles and is primarily rural with no cities or boroughs exceeding 2,500 in population. Montrose is the county seat of Susquehanna County.
Montrose Area School District serves a rural community of approximately 11,600 persons. The median housing value (2010 census data) is $87,200 and the median household income is about $45,196. About 8.9% of district families are below the poverty level. The community has historically been agricultural, with a diminishing degree of manufacturing. However, with both agriculture and manufacturing declining significantly, the quarrying Industry appears to be the only consistent source of jobs.
The school district is comprised of two elementary schools and one junior-senior high school. Of 1,404 school children within district borders, 90% are enrolled in the Montrose public school system. Lathrop Street Elementary is located in the borough of Montrose and houses 427 students in grades K-6. Choconut Valley Elementary is a kindergarten through sixth grade building with approximately 277 students located in Choconut Township.
Approximately 150 professional staff throughout the district include principals, guidance personnel, full time nurses, special education teachers, reading specialists, speech therapists, and librarians providing a comprehensive program of support for all students.
The Montrose Area Junior-Senior High School is a seventh through twelfth grade building with approximately 700 students located in Bridgewater Township. Montrose Area School District is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and accredited by the Middle States Association of Secondary Schools. Students at the Montrose Area Jr/Sr High School are well-supported by a Principal and Assistant Principal as well as a three-member Guidance Department and a full-time School Nurse Practitioner.
A variety of outside agencies provide additional support, and the Director of Technology maintains state of the art technology tools, equipment and a robust network for students as well as faculty and staff who are supported by a full-time Technology Coach. All students take introductory courses in computer literacy and technology, and high school students are offered numerous electives in computer programming, graphic and web design. A state of the art graphics lab is available for students as are a variety of technical education classes including wood and metalworking, machining, mechanical and architectural drawing.
Four-year language sequences are offered in French and Spanish for all students in grades 9 through 12. Fine arts are an integral part of the district's curriculum, with multiple core courses and electives ranging from Introduction to Photography to Contemporary Art. General music education begins in 5 the primary grades, and instrumental and choral programs start in the fifth grade and continue into the junior-senior high school, supporting an award-winning music program.
Students can choose from General, College Preparatory, Honors and Advanced Placement courses, with seven Advanced Placement classes available. Multiple classes can be taken through dual enrollment, and the school has articulation agreements with Penn College of Technology, Keystone College and Luzerne County Community College. In addition to being offered a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum, students have the opportunity to participate in career/technical education through a partnership with the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center and cooperative vocational educational experiences with local businesses. Students may participate in their choice of over a dozen sports, with even more clubs and service organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Key Club, and Friends of Rachel for students to become involved in.
The above enrollment numbers are reflective of a significant reduction in enrollment over the past several years. Going back to 2004, the total enrollment has been reduced by almost 665 students and indicates a reduction in enrollment by roughly 32%.
The Mission of the Montrose Area School District is to:
- provide a challenging, comprehensive educational experience that recognizes and
accommodates students' individual abilities and differences; - encourage students to think logically and to learn cooperatively as well as independently;
- prepare students to take an active and responsive role in a global, technological society;
- promote a lifelong spirit of inquiry that addresses emotional, physical, social, and intellectual
growth; - encourage students' acceptance of themselves and others in a safe and nurturing environment; and
- encourage students to become active participants in the community, state and country in which they live.
Title IX, a clause of the 1972 Federal Education Amendments, signed into law on June 23, 1972, states that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.