Submission: October Letter from North Penn School District Board of School Directors

(The following is part of a series of monthly submissions from the North Penn School District (NPSD) Board of School Directors. This month’s submission was authored by North Penn School Board Director Elisha Gee. The views expressed within are her own.)

Dear North Penn,

Student success is measured by many things, from individual academic achievement and test scores to extracurricular activities and community service. As an educator for over 25 years, I know that a student's report card or a school district’s ranking can never fully capture the range of knowledge, skills, and qualities that contribute to success or academic excellence. 

Here are some ways in which academic excellence can be measured more comprehensively than just through test scores:

• Rigorous Coursework: Academic excellence can be evaluated by looking at the rigor of their coursework and student achievement. The opportunity to enroll in challenging courses, especially in advanced or honors classes, is a hallmark of an exceptional academic program. Last school year alone, 744 NPHS students took Advanced Placement Exams for a total of 1,446 AP Exams, and 83% scored thee or higher (out of five).

• Research and Independent Projects: Academic excellence can be demonstrated through the completion of independent research projects that showcase students’ ability to conduct in-depth research. One great example of this is the capstone course of the Engineering Academy at NPHS. All year long, students work in small research teams to tackle an engineering challenge. The program includes cutting edge nanotechnology research endeavors where the students look toward developing solutions to current global issues within the healthcare, environment, and energy sectors. 

• Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in extracurricular activities such as academic clubs, debate teams, science competitions, or arts organizations can provide evidence of a well-rounded academic profile. There are currently more than 90 student clubs at NPHS and many at the middle and elementary school level as well. This is in addition to athletic opportunities. And I am especially proud that in the 2022-2023 school year, the NPHS Key Club volunteered more than 7,700 hours. Thank you, Key Club!

• Post Secondary Pursuits: One of a school district’s many responsibilities is to prepare graduates for life after high school. Out of the 1,047 graduates in the Class of 2023, 835 pursued post-secondary education and 25 joined the military. The remaining students joined the workforce. 

Of course, these four areas do not encompass all the attributes of academic excellence, but are just a snapshot of North Penn’s success. And yes, school rankings should be considered. North Penn High School is in the top 10% of high schools and NPSD is in the top five percent of school districts in the state as ranked by Niche. But the educators of NPSD believe the full child must be taken into account when assessing success, and that this goes far beyond test scores and data points.  

As a community member, educator, and parent of North Penn students, I am proud of the work that our students and staff do and that we are able to see the fruit of this effort through these achievements. Each fall, NPSD produces an annual report that is a more in-depth look at our successes. Look to your mailboxes at the end of October for this year’s report. I know you will take much pride in our accomplishments.

Signed,

Dr. Elisha Gee
North Penn Board of School Directors
Term Expiration: 2023

See also:

Submission: June Letter from North Penn School District Board of School Directors

Submission: May Letter from North Penn School District Board of School Directors

Submission: April Letter from North Penn School District Board of School Directors

Submission: March Letter from North Penn School District Board of School Directors

Submission: February Letter from North Penn School District Board of School Directors