CORNELL SCHOOL DISTRICT
1099 MAPLE STREET  CORAOPOLIS, PA 15108
Administration:
Ms. Donna Belas, Superintendent
Mr. Aaron Thomas, High School Principal
Mr. Christopher Very, Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Carla Antoniades, Special Education Supervisor
Mr. Patrick Berdine, Business Manager
DISTRICT PROFILE
Community
The
Cornell School District, comprised of the communities of Coraopolis and Neville
Island, is located approximately ten miles west of downtown Pittsburgh. Situated along the
Ohio River, near Interstate 79, and in close proximity to the Pittsburgh International
Airport, the school district has an excellent transportation network via bus, rail, boat, and air
transportation.
The population of the two communities is just over 9000 residents. Coraopolis is mainly a
residential community with a business district of family-owned stores and shops, plus newer
businesses and small companies that take advantage of the excellent transportation network
and low property tax rate. Although once a heavy industrial-based township, Neville Island
is increasingly made up of a variety of new business ventures and opportunities. A low
millage rate and excellent modes of transportation make the Cornell School District an
attractive community for business and manufacturing development.
School District
Cornell School District Grades K-12 is located on one campus in Coraopolis with separate
wings for elementary and secondary instruction. The climate-controlled building includes a
gymnasium, fitness center, auditorium, and pool. A media center fulfills the different needs
of elementary and secondary students. The elementary and secondary cafeterias serve both
breakfast and lunch.
Approximately 675 students attend kindergarten through grade 12. The professional staff
has an average of 8.4 years teaching experience, and 40 percent of the teachers have
advanced degrees. With class sizes averaging about 20 students and a staff/pupil ratio of 14
to one, students who attend the Cornell School District find that they are never “lost in the
crowd.” They are offered numerous opportunities to learn and grow in an environment that
promotes great expectations and high achievement.
Honors and Awards
Students participate in a variety of district, regional, state, and national academic, vocational,
artistic, and athletic competitions and win numerous awards and championships annually.
Each year our students are selected to attend the summer Governor’s Schools in the Arts,
Sciences, International Studies, Agriculture, Education, Information Technology, and Health
Care. They also participate in the A.I.U. Apprenticeship Programs and Gifted and Talented
Enrichment activities.
Cornell School District
Mission Statement
Cornell
School District will provide a comprehensive education to all students that will
enable them to achieve maximum potential as lifelong learners.
Vision Statement
The
education of the students of the Cornell School District will be achieved in a
cooperative partnership and commitment with students, teachers, parents, and community in
a positive, supportive, and caring school environment that promotes the development of
responsible citizenship and the dignity of all individuals.
Beliefs
We believe that…
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All children have the right to equally access educational opportunities.
An ever-changing society necessitates that education be a life-long learning process.
The community, families, students, and staff share the responsibility for education.
All students can learn.
Pride and self-esteem are essential to personal development and achievement.
Effective teachers supported by a constant and ongoing commitment to staff
development are the most critical elements in the educational process.
High expectations that challenge the students result in high performance.
The community and school have an obligation to create and maintain a safe, healthy,
and secure environment in which every individual can develop to his or her fullest
potential.
The whole child should be developed: academically, socially, emotionally, and
physically
Curriculum
The Cornell School District offers a comprehensive program providing college preparatory,
business, general, and vocational- technical courses to approximately 675 students in grades
K-12. The largest percentage of students is enrolled in the college preparatory program.
Special curriculum offerings include the following: University of Pittsburgh College in the
High School Program, Robert Morris University College in the High School Program and
LaRoche College Scholars Program.
Honors: These are rigorous courses that demand a high level of analytical reading ability
and challenge students at a very high level of cognitive thinking. Students may also elect to
take AP courses in English, Dual Enrollment courses in math, science, American
Government, Spanish, French and Accounting.
In the elementary school we successfully implemented a Quality Change Program with a
focus on math, reading, and behavior during the 2002-2003 school year. This program is
now in Phase VII of implementation. During the 2004-05 school year, an inclusion model
was implemented in grades 4-6 utilizing a co-teaching model. This program has been
modified to suit the needs of the student population. The technology curriculum has also
been enhanced in grades K-6.
Vocational-Technical Training is provided to our senior high students in Grades 9-12 at
Parkway West Career and Technical School.
The Cornell Alternative Program services students who have not been successful in the
regular classroom setting or who have not been successful following the Student Code of
Conduct. It provides an educational setting for remediation and rehabilitation. It is the
intent of this program to provide students with appropriate academic and social skills for
their successful return to the regular high school educational setting. Students who are
assigned to this program must participate in educational goal setting that will be established
through a Student Educational Plan.
Academic services will be provided five days a week in the areas of English, Math, Science,
Social Studies, Technology, Physical Education and Health. Students also have the option to
participate in a Work-Study Program or Parkway West Career and Technical Center classes.
Special Education
The
Cornell School District offers a full continuum of special education programs and
services to all eligible for such services. Special Education programs and services are
available for all eligible students between the ages of three (3) and twenty-one (21). The
following types of services are offered by the Cornell School District either through the
district, placements in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, or in Approved Private Schools:
Developmental Delays (Preschool Only), Deaf or Hearing Impaired Support, Multiple
Disabled Support, Autistic Support, Physical Support, Speech and Language Support, Life
Skills, Blind or Visually Impaired Support, Neurologically Impaired Support, Learning
Support, Emotional Support, Other Health Impaired Support. Students in grades K-12
receive services via an inclusionary model.
Gifted education at the elementary program is provided via a pullout program and
enrichment in the structured groups. At the secondary level, the students’ GIEP goals are
achieved through accelerated courses, AP courses, Dual Enrollment Programs, and
enrichment activities. All district GIEP students have the opportunity to participate in AIU
and Western Pennsylvania academic competitions.
Grading System and Credits
Twenty-four credits are required for graduation from Cornell School High School.
Grades in each subject area are based on the following symbols:
LETTER
GRADE
A
B
C
D
F
PERCENT
92-100
83-91
74-82
65-73
64-Below
GRADE
POINT
4
3
2
1
0
Athletics and Activities
Our interscholastic athletic program provides high-level competition in both team and
individual sports. Interscholastic sports are those in which students compete against teams
or individuals from other school districts.
Athletic activities are offered at the junior high school, 9th grade, junior varsity, and varsity
levels. Some sports do not offer competition in all four levels.
Our district currently offers the following interscholastic sports:
Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Country, Football, Golf, Swimming, Track, and
Soccer.
Girls: Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Track, and
Volleyball.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (P.I.A.A.) governs high school
interscholastic sports programs in Pennsylvania. As a member district, we follow the policies
and regulations formulated by the Association. Additional information regarding the athletic
program is available from the Athletic Director. Students are offered a number of
extracurricular experiences. Students can participate in the band beginning in seventh grade.
The athletic program includes football, basketball, softball and baseball, swimming, and golf
teams. There are also intramural programs in both the junior and senior high school levels.
Other activities include a student newspaper, yearbook, Key Club, National Honor Society,
junior high and high school student councils, and class plays.
Cornell School District Highlights
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Cornell School District made AYP for ten consecutive years.
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Cornell Elementary School received a National Blue Ribbon School Award
(November 2010).
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Cornell School District was ranked 8th in the PA Business Times out of 501 schools
in Pennsylvania for overachievement.
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Cornell School District recently received $20,000 in funding from the Highmark
Healthy 5 Grant for additional equipment in the Fitness Center.
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Cornell School District offers district-wide after-school tutorial sessions.
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Cornell High School students were awarded the Horatio Alger Scholarship Award in
2010 and 2011.
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Nearly 87% of graduating seniors go on to higher education each year.
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Cornell School District partners with Robert Morris University, the University of
Pittsburgh and LaRoche College to offer dual-enrollment programs for senior high
students to acquire college credits.
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An elementary school Quality Change Program was successfully implemented during
the 2002-2003 school year.
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Gifted and Talented Education programs are offered district wide. Students also
participate in the AIU sponsored Apprenticeship Program, History Bowl, CalcuSolve, Science Bowl, Future Problem Solving, and Invention Convention.
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Teachers have been recognized for outstanding accomplishments for their academic
endeavors. Some of the organizations include: Teachers of Excellence, VFW
Teacher Leadership Awards, University of Pittsburgh All-Star Educators, Wal-Mart
Teacher of the Year, Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year, Bayer’s Asset Science
Outstanding Educator, and Keystone Integrators. In 2011, Cornell High School
Spanish teacher, Mr. Steve Vayanos, was a PA Teacher of the Year finalist.
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Our District has five different state-of-the-art computer laboratories for our students
to utilize. Our library has a Media Center with 30 computers.
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Our District has a partnership with Robert Morris University, LaRoche College, and
Duquesne University for student teachers, interns, and tutors.
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Our district hosts an Annual Career Fair as a part of a Career Awareness Initiative.
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There is a district-wide Student of the Month Program and Character Education
Program.
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Cornell High School was a Pennsylvania Department of Education Classrooms for
the Future grant recipient. Students in grades 7-12 have access to laptops in Social
Studies, English, Math, and Science.