Principal's Message

The School
Penn-Trafford High School is a comprehensive four-year high school enrolling 1569 students in grades nine through twelve. The administration consists of one principal, one assistant principal and one assistant principal/athletic director. The faculty is compromised of 85 certified teachers, three counselors, one nurse, and one librarian.

The Curriculum
Classes are scheduled over eight 41-minute periods. Students may carry a maximum load of 8 credits per year and a minimum of 7 credits per year.

A minimum of 25 credits is required for graduation. 1 credit = 2 semesters; 1/2 credit = 1 semester. Graduation requirements include: 4 credits (4 years) English; 3 credits (3 years) Mathematics; 3 credits (3 years) Science; 4 credits (4 years) Social Studies; 2 credits of Humanities; 1 credit Physical Education; 1/2 credit Health; and 1 credit from PSSA assessments administered in 11th grade.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in U.S. History, Government and Politics, Biology, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature. College courses are offered through the University of Pittsburgh in Calculus, Business Calculus and French. College Spanish is offered through St. Vincent College. Students must meet prerequisites to enroll in AP and college courses. In 2004-2005, 175 student enrolled in AP courses; 97 students sat for 127 exams. Of the 127 exams taken, 61% received scores of 3, 4 or 5.

Honors Courses are offered in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, French, German and Latin.

Grading and Ranking
Penn-Trafford assigns letter grades using a 4.0 system. Letter grades are assigned as follows:

A = 90% - 100%; B = 80% - 89%; C = 70% - 79%; D = 60% - 69%; F = 59% and less.

Advanced Placement courses are weighted on a 5.0 scale. Honors courses are weighted on a 4.5 scale. Grades from each quarterly marking period along with midterm and final exams are used in calculating grade point average and class rank. Grades are recorded on the transcript; class rank and grade point average are computed after each quarterly grading period.

Post Graduation Statistics
382 students graduated in the Class of 2006.
4-year college (66%), 2-year college (24%) or other (4%), joined the armed services (6%)

Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
Penn-Trafford offers 25 varsity team sports to both boys and girls. The following sports are offered: baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross-country, field hockey, football, golf, hockey, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling.

The following Clubs/Organizations are also offered: Student Union, Varsity Club, Christian Youth Group, Drama Guild, Spanish Club, French Club, Latin Club/JCL, National Honor Society, Encore, Yearbook, School Newspaper, Interact, Ski Club, Office Aides, Future Business Leaders of America, Stage Crew, SADD, Community Action Program, Traces, Supply Crew, Young Democrats and the Conservative Club.

- Mr. Scott Inglese, Principal