Education

Pocono Mountain School District is a diverse school district in Pennsylvania and is located in Northeastern PA, within the heart of the Pocono resort and recreation area. The district spans 305 square miles and serves a population of approximately 55,000 within seven municipalities and one borough in Monroe County including the Borough of Mount Pocono, and the Townships of Barrett, Coolbaugh, Jackson, Paradise, Pocono, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock. Much of the growth is due to its location near Philadelphia and New York City, both of which are approximately 100 miles away.

Townships that comprise the EAST side of the district are Jackson, Pocono, Paradise, Barrett and Mount Pocono Borough. The WEST side of the district is made up of Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock and Coolbaugh Townships. Note: The small area east of Route 380 that is Coolbaugh Township is also part of the East side of the district.

Pocono Mountain School District (PMSD) is the public school system that serves Tobyhanna Army Depot. The district is comprised of 2 High Schools (Grades 9-12), 1 Academy (alternative) High School (Grades 9-12), 2 Junior High Schools (Grades 7-8), 2 Intermediate Schools (serving a combination of Grades 3-6), & 3 Elementary Schools (serving a combination of Grades K-6).

The Pocono Mountain School District (PMSD) serves Tobyhanna Army Depot. The district is comprised of 2 High Schools (Grades 9-12), 1 Academy (alternative) High School (Grades 9-12), 2 Junior High Schools (Grades 7-8), 2 Intermediate Schools (serving a combination of Grades 3-6), & 3 Elementary Schools (serving a combination of Grades K-6).

Enrollment Requirements

To register for school, students need the following: current immunization records, school transcripts, and proof of residency. Special needs students, supply a current individualized education program (IEP), psychological evaluation, and medical records, if applicable. Please forward these records to the appropriate school as soon as possible to expedite the registration process.

Student-Teacher Ratio

Student-Teacher Ratio:

• School district enrollment (2009-2010) 9293 students K-12
• Classes with less than 20 students: 25.5 percent
• Classes with more than 30 students: 1 percent
• Students receiving Special Education services: 15 percent
• Students receiving Gifted Education services: 2.92 percent
• Diversity of Student Body: 47.19 percent White, 26.05 percent African-American, 24.09 percent Hispanic, .18 percent Native American, 2.47 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, and .01 percent multi-racial.

Grading System

The Pocono Mountain School District believes that every student should be provided as many opportunities as possible to demonstrate achievement each marking period both formally and informally. The assessments both formal and informal are what collectively contribute to the formation of a grade for each individual student.

Assessments should be made in multiple formats and may include homework, tests, quizzes, class work, center work, lab work, final exams, project completions, paper and pencil activities, notebooks, portfolios, participation and verbal presentations. Each student is assessed eight times per school year. Every 45 days a formal report card is issued to the students, 4 per year, as well as every mid-quarter a mid-marking period progress report is sent home, 4 per year. Assessment information can be sent home eight times per year and parent conferences may be scheduled based on need. Student grades can be viewed on our web based Home Access Center. This program can be accessed from our school web site. Login and passwords will be mailed to parents. Various grade levels reflect student achievement differently, but all grades are based on the scale of 0 - 100.

The scale and designation of alpha and numeric is as follows: A (93-100) Distinguished Honors; B (85-92) Honors; C (76-84) Acceptable Work; D (70-75) Marginally Passing; and F (0-69) Failing Work. O is Outstanding work; G is Good work; S is Satisfactory work; N is Needs Improvement and U is Unsatisfactory work.

Graduation Requirements

28 courses for the Applied Academic and Academic programs and a comprehensive research project. All students are required to take at least 1 mathematics course each year, grades 9-12.

Applied Academic Program course requirements include:

4 Language Arts
4 Mathematics
3 Science
3 Social Studies
1 Arts and Humanities
4 Courses in the Block
8 Electives

Academic Program course requirements include:

4 Language Arts
4 Mathematics
4 Science
3 Social Studies
6 Arts and Humanities
3 Electives
4 Courses in the Block

Special Education Services and Assistance

According to Chapter 14, Pennsylvania State Board of Education regulation for Special Education Services and Programs, "Each school district's long range plan shall include procedures for the education of all exceptional students and early intervention for eligible young children who are residents of the district, including those attending nonpublic schools and those placed in approved private schools."

Pocono Mountain School District (PMSD) complies with all state and federal mandates. Special education services are provided directly by PMSD and through various education agencies. Programs and services include learning, sensory, emotional, speech and language, physical and autistic support, to name a few.

If your child has an IEP or receives any special education services such as reading support, math support, or speech/language support, or has a 504 Plan requiring accommodations for Health/Physical needs, you are required to meet with an educational consultant to ensure proper placement. Please contact the Student Registration Center for an appointment – (570) 839-7121, Ext 40400.

Day Care

Pocono Mountain School District does not provide extended day care services. See Child and Teen Services for information about day care facilities on the installation. See the Pocono Mountain School District Web site for day care facilities off the installation where school bus service is provided.

Accreditation

PMSD is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is provided by the school and comes on-post through the Family Housing Area and to the Child Development Center, Bldg 335.

Meal Program

Full lunch cost at the intermediate and secondary schools is $2.40. Full lunch at the elementary school level is $2.00. Breakfast is also available at the cost of $1.40. Families can apply for free or reduced priced meals.

Gifted Support Program

The Gifted Support Program is tailored for individual student needs and program implementation differs for elementary, intermediate, and high school grades. At the request of the district administration, please contact the individual schools for more information.

There are a few alternatives to public education for those assigned to/residing on Tobyhanna Army Depot. There is one charter school located within 15 miles of the installation. Evergreen Community Charter School is approximately 15 miles from the installation. Please contact the School Liaison Officer for more information regarding private schools. Should you reside outside the Pocono Mountain School District, the School Liaison Officer at the installation will be happy to assist you with locating a private/alternative educational environment for your family members.