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About Leechburg Area School District
The mission of the Leechburg Area School District shall be to teach, challenge, and support every student to realize his or her maximum potential and to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be a productive member of a global society in the twenty-first century.
The Leechburg Area Jr.Sr. High School consists of Grades7 through 12 and has an estimated enrollment of 470 students. The Jr. High School makes up Grades 7 and 8 while the High School comprises Grades 9 through 12. The Jr. High School curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all our students including special needs students. Each student is given the opportunity to succeed to the maximum of his / her capability. High achieving students have the opportunity to accelerate in the areas of math by taking pre-algebra in Grade 7 and by starting their foreign language program in Grade 8. All students at this level are afforded the opportunity to enhance their computer skills with scheduled classes that include keyboarding, computer programming and Internet / Microsoft Word. Students round out their educational experience by participating in Art, Music, Family and Consumer Sciences, Industrial Arts and Physical Education classes. Students in Grades 9 through 12 have the opportunity to enhance their education by taking courses in the areas of Science, Mathematics, English, and Social Studies. In addition, there is a variety of honors classes offered to those students who wish to enhance their educational opportunities. Additional classes, such as Advanced Art, AutoCAD, Child Care, and Computer Technology, supplement the students’ course of study. Students may also elect to pursue a technical education by attending Lenape Area Vocational-Technical School during their 11 th and 12 th grade years. The needs of secondary learning support students are addressed with an inclusion program and a resource room. The Leechburg Area Jr./Sr. High School curriculum has been aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards and the district’s strategic plan. It is our goal to educate all of our students to their fullest potential and prepare our students for their next step in life.
The David Leech Elementary School encompasses Grades K through Six and has an enrollment of 400 students. The elementary curriculum includes reading, English, spelling, mathematics, science, social studies, health, music, art, French, computers, physical education and library science. Technology is an integral part of the curriculum. Each first through fifth grade classroom has 4-6 networked computers and a TV monitor that are used to supplement the curriculum. Additionally, the school has a 25-station computer laboratory that is used for computer classes and for computer assisted instruction through “Classworks Gold” software.
Curriculum adoption cycles have exposed David Leech Elementary students to updated materials on a yearly basis. Each year a different area of the curriculum is reviewed and new materials are purchased. Staff development opportunities are also provided on a regular basis so the staff is kept current on new trends, programs and instructional strategies and techniques.
Students at Leechburg are encouraged to be involved in the various extra-curricular activities that are available to them. The activities range from being a member of STUCO, SADD, Minetas staff, Quiz Bowl, prom committee to clubs such as science, art, Spanish and French. Students also have the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports such as football, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball.
All students are afforded the opportunity to participate in a variety of visual and performing arts programs. Art is a required course in grades 7 and 8. Students in grades 9 through 12 may elect to take additional Art classes emphasizing techniques and concepts that help the develop expressive control in creating art works. Art history and aesthetics are also components of these classes. For those students interested in the performing arts, Leechburg offers music classes including Band, Chorus, and Choir ensemble. Students demonstrate their skills through concerts, plays and competitions. Leechburg also has a drama club, which performs an annual musical.
The Leechburg Area School District provides a high-speed computer network, which serves the entire district. Starting with the 2005-2006 school year there will be 6 networked computer labs available to students and teachers for educational instruction. The district also provides a dedicated data T1 line for safe and secure Internet access. In grades K through 6 classrooms are equipped with (5) computers each and are utilized by all students in reading and writing activities. The district has 450 computers available for educational instruction. The district also has mobile smart boards available for teacher use in the classroom.
The total annual budget for the Leechburg Area School District is approximately $11,118,952. Funding is derived from Local (51.2%), State (46.4%) and Federal (2.4%) revenue sources. Since the district is across county lines, the local tax burden is shared accordingly with residents in Armstrong and Westmoreland counties.
Leechburg Area School District is located in southwestern Pennsylvania along the Kiskiminetas and Allegheny rivers. The community straddles the southern border of Armstrong County and the northern border of Westmoreland County. Pittsburgh and Monroeville are within convenient proximity. The school district is comprised of Gilpin Township, Leechburg Borough and West Leechburg Borough. The population totals approximately 6,000 residents. The major employer in the community is Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation. Other occupations include light manufacturing, professional and nonprofessional employment throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley and Pittsburgh Area. Geographical proximity to Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland counties provides numerous resources for residents. Shopping areas, hospitals, and churches of most denominations are located in and around the community. Nearby recreational facilities include the Leechburg Area Park and Pool, Crooked Creek State Park and Northmoreland Park. There are numerous colleges/universities within commuting distance of the Leechburg Area School District. The school district is associated with ARIN intermediate Unit #28 and the Strongland Chamber of Commerce.
The elementary school has a strong PTA organization that provides many opportunities for out students. Reading is Fundamental, field trips, assemblies, banquets, memory books, classroom materials, and playground equipment are provided to our school through their efforts. Parents also participate in Kindergarten Registration, PSSA Snacks, First Grade Orientation, Book Fairs, Boxtops for Education, Campbell Soup Label projects, Family Reading Night, Open House, Family Literacy PACT program, Santa's Secret Shop, Title I Workshops, Music Class Visitation, Grandparent Reading, Parent Lunches, and Breakfast With the Principal. |
