• Advanced Placement Courses

• College in High School Courses

• Dual Enrollment Program

• Modern Languages

• Accelerated Courses

• Grading Scale

• Class of 2009 Profile

• Standardized Testing Program

• PSSA Test Results

• SAT Mean Scores / ACT Mean Scores / PSAT Mean Scores

• Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center

• Extracurricular Activities

• Graduation Policy

Advanced Placement Courses (AP)

Students at the high school can select from twelve (12) AP classes:

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Modern Languages
Students may choose from four (4) different Modern languages, each available for four (4) years:
SPANISH	GERMAN
FRENCH	JAPANESE
Students may receive special instruction if they are identified as learning support or gifted support.

 

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Accelerated courses

Accelerated courses are available at the High School for students who qualify to accept the challenge of higher level thinking and the increased difficulty of work involved. In order to compensate for these accelerated learning levels, an additional percentage is awarded.

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Grading Scale

The student grading scale for all secondary students is:

A = 92% AND ABOVE

B = 82% - BELOW 92%

C = 70% - BELOW 82%

D = 60% - BELOW 70%

F = BELOW 60%

Grades are reported on a percentage basis.

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Class of 2009 Profile

As a comprehensive high school, Norwin prepares students for a variety of endeavors. The Class of 2007 profile exemplifies this.

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Standardized Testing Program

A comprehensive standardized testing program exists at the secondary level in coordination with the overall curriculum. The tests administered include:

Vocational Career Inventories COIN - Grades 7 & 8 PSSA Reading and Math - Grade 7 PSSA Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science - Grades 8 and 11 4Sight Math and Reading - Grades 7-11

In addition, such national tests as PSAT, SAT, and ACT are offered for those students who wish to take them. Individual tests may be administered by the school district psychologist as needed. All these tests help the district professionals better understand each student's individual abilities and needs and function accordingly.

 

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2009 PSSA RESULTS BY SCORE

The results of the 2008 administration of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) demonstrates that 7th, 8th and 11th grade students in the District scored well above the state average in both reading and mathematics.

 

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SAT Mean Scores 2008-2009

	# TEST TAKERS	CRITICAL READING	MATHEMATICS	WRITING
NORWIN	269	509	529	497
PENNSYLVANIA	105,066	493	501	483
TOTAL GROUP	1,530,128	501	515	493

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ACT Mean Scores 2008-2009

	TOTAL TESTED	ENGLISH	MATHEMATICS	READING	SCIENCE	COMPOSITE
NORWIN	53	22.1	23.0	23.9	22.8	23.0
PENNSYLVANIA	21,199	21.7	22.2	22.4	21.5	22.1

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PSAT Mean Scores 2008-2009

	# TEST TAKERS	CRITICAL READING	MATHEMATICS	WRITING
JUNIORS	177	50.9	51.4	47.6
SOPHOMORES	178	48.8	49.7	45.8

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Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center

The Norwin School District cooperatively participates in the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center (CWCTC) located in New Stanton. Norwin students receive instruction at Norwin High School for half of the day and instruction at CWCTC for half of the day. Because of the large numbers of students desirous of attending CWCTC, Norwin students, like all others, must meet the necessary selection requirements established by CWCTC in order to be admitted to any of the numerous programs available.

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Extracurricular Activities

The secondary schools in the Norwin School District offer a variety of extracurricular activities to develop the total student. From twelve-time state champion girls' volleyball and soccer, playoff football and champion boys' basketball teams, and a nationally recognized marching band, Norwin students have the opportunity to participate and succeed in numerous areas outside the curriculum at the varsity level and the middle school level. Nineteen (19) varsity level sports are available for students to select including:

 

BASEBALL	LACROSSE - BOYS
BASKETBALL - BOYS & GIRLS	SOCCER - BOYS & GIRLS
BOWLING (CLUB)	SOFTBALL
CROSS COUNTRY - BOYS & GIRLS	SWIMMING - BOYS & GIRLS
FIELD HOCKEY - GIRLS	TENNIS - BOYS & GIRLS
FOOTBALL	TRACK - BOYS & GIRLS
GOLF / BOYS & GIRLS	VOLLEYBALL - BOYS & GIRLS
ICE HOCKEY (CLUB)	WRESTLING

 

Please refer to the District's Athletic Procedures brochure for more information about Athletic Guidelines.  (Adobe Acrobat is required to view this brochure.)

 

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Graduation Policy

It is the policy of the Norwin School District that in preparation for graduation: (1) Students must earn at least 25.5 credits in grades 9 through 12 in order to graduate from      Norwin High School at the conclusion of grade 12. (2) These credits must be divided as follows: English 4.5 credits; Social Studies, 4 credits;      Math, 3 credits; Science, 3 credits; Arts/Humanities, 2 credits; Health and Physical      Education, 2.5 credits; Electives, 5 credits; Graduation Project, .5 credit; PSSA, 1 credit. As a public school system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Norwin School District adheres to all the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the State Board of Education.

 

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College in High School Program

The College in High School Program is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh and Seton Hill University. This program allows students to earn college credits and a transcript from the University of Pittsburgh and/or Seton Hill University while taking classes in the Norwin High School. The College in High School classes have a minimal tuition fee which is payable to the respective university. University refund and withdraw policies apply to these courses.  Listed are the University of Pittsburgh and Seton Hill University College in High School Classes offered at Norwin High School.

University of Pittsburgh

Argument Rhetoric and Communication (3 credits)

Basic Applied Statistics (4 credits)

Computer Science Intermediate Programming Using Java (4 credits)

Intermediate College French I (3 credits)

Web Site Design and Development (3 credits)

Seton Hill University

General Biology with Laboratory (4 credits)

General Chemistry with Laboratory (4 credits)

Calculus with Analytic Geometry (4 credits)

Pre-Calculus (3 credits)

Calculus 2 with Analytic Geometry (4 credits)

Calculus 3 with Analytic Geometry (4 credits)

Basic Composition (3 credits)

Elementary Spanish and Culture (3 credits)

 

Upon successful completion of the Norwin course the partnering university will issue a transcript to the student.  When the student is ready to transfer the credits earned through the College in High School program he/she will need to request that an official transcript be sent from the institution that issued the credit to institution at which the student is enrolled.  All transcript procedures, timelines and fees are established by the institution that issued the credits. Seton Hill transcripts can be requested by clicking here. University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg campus) transcripts can be requested by clicking here.

 

 

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Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment, funded through a grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is a locally administered program that allows students to concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses and receive both high school and college or university credit for the coursework.  The intent of the program is: 1. To increase academic rigor for students. 2. To offer students opportunities to get a jump start on college. 3. To increase the numbers of students electing postsecondary education. 4. To decrease the number of students who need remediation courses at postsecondary institutions.  For the 2009-10 school year Norwin has Dual Enrollment agreements with Penn State University - Greater Allegheny, Seton Hill University, The University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg, and Westmoreland County Community College. To learn more about Dual Enrollment review the materials below and contact the High School Guidance Office. (724-861-3002). Dual Enrollment Brochure (Requires Adobe Acrobat to view) Dual Enrollment Application (Requires Adobe Acrobat to view)   Upon successful completion of the university course the partnering university will issue a transcript to the student.  When the student is ready to transfer the credits earned through the Dual Enrollment program he/she will need to request that an official transcript be sent from the institution that issued the credit to institution at which the student is enrolled.  All transcript procedures, timelines and fees are established by the institution that issued the credits. Penn State University transcripts can be requested by clicking here. Seton Hill transcripts can be requested by clicking here. University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg campus) transcripts can be requested by clicking here. Westmoreland County Community College transcripts can be requested by clicking here.

 

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Updated 1/20/2010