Secondary

Norwin High School provides students with six (6) distinct preparation paths leading toward graduation:

These curricula are flexible and permit students in one path to select subjects that might normally be carried by students in a different curricular area.

Calculus	Government and Politics
Statistics	Psychology
Biology	Studio Art
Chemistry	Music Theory
English Literature	U.S. History
English Grammar

Students may choose from four (4) different Modern languages, each available for four (4) years:

Spanish	German
French	Japanese

or receive special instruction if they are identified as learning support or gifted support.

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.

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.

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

65%		4 Year College
17%		2 Year College
7%		Business, Technical & Trade School
1%		Armed Forces
6%		Employment
4%		Other

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

In addition, such national tests as PSAT and SAT 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.

The results of the 2006 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.

	Grade 7				Grade 8
	Mathematics		Reading		Mathematics		Reading
	District	State	District	State	District	State	District	State
Advanced	63	37	51	35	63	36	67	44
Proficient	25	29	37	33	24	26	22	27
Basic	7	16	7	17	8	19	5	13
Below Basic	5	19	5	15	5	19	6	16

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.

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:

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

It is the policy of the Norwin School District that in preparation for graduation:

(1) Students must earn at least 24.5 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.

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.