West Jefferson Hills SD Enjoys Year Filled with Record Student Achievement and Continued Academic Growth 

JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa.; July 11, 2024 – West Jefferson Hills students were responsible for a plethora of outstanding accomplishments, accolades and highlights during a record-setting 2023-24 for the school district.

In the May 2024 Pittsburgh Business Times annual rankings of school districts, West Jefferson Hills moved up from No. 22 to No. 18 among the 130-plus regional districts included in the rankings. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranked Thomas Jefferson High School No. 13 among Pittsburgh area high schools and No. 40 (out of 740) among all Pennsylvania high schools, continuing its significant rise from No. 69 in 2023 and No. 96 in 2000.

Data over the past year shows that WJHSD is the fastest-growing district in Allegheny County, ranking No. 16 in growth in the Commonwealth, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The district's enrollment increased to 3,426 in 2023-24, a rise of 134 students from the previous year. A demographic study completed in Spring 2023 projected the district will add 400–500 new students over the next 10 years.

Located in the South Hills and Mon River Valley area of suburban Pittsburgh, WJHSD is comprised of five schools: Thomas Jefferson High School, Pleasant Hills Middle School, Jefferson Hills Intermediate School, Gill Hall Elementary School and McClellan Elementary School.

Under the direction of Superintendent Dr. Janet Sardon, the 2023-24 school year included continued academic growth and record-setting achievement and on-going success and accomplishments across the district in arts, athletics and other extracurricular activities. The district's theme for this past year was, "Teamwork is the Heart of Achievement."

District

-In addition to conducting regular fire, security, and bus training drills in all buildings and holding its annual safety and security meeting with first responders and administration, the district implemented these additional security measures in 2023-24:

- Hired new School Police Officers and security personnel;

- Installed additional cameras throughout the district;

- Held a Safety and Security Symposium for the community with 18 available sessions;

- Formulated district and building threat assessment teams at levels in case of emergency;

- Implemented a Carina Box project at Pleasant Hills Middle School for additional security and communication;

- All members of the administrative team and school counselors took Comprehensive Threat Assessment Training;

- Implemented online tracking for threat and suicide assessments for record keeping;

- Additional staff training on Navigate 360;

- Expanded the partnership and service with the Elizabeth Police Dept. for emergency coverage in West Elizabeth;

- Made updates on the progress of the District Comprehensive Plan and five-year working plan to guide decision making over the next five-year period;

-Implemented Apple devices in all classrooms for students and staff in Grades K-5; provided training for integration and management into the curriculum;

-Approved the transition of Chromebooks to iPads for Grades 7-8 for use on a 1:1 initiative. In 2024-25, all district K-8 students will have their own iPad for school use;

-For the second consecutive year, assisted Elizabeth Forward High School musical theater students after a devastating fire at EFHS in 2023;

-Hosted the first Pennsylvania Science of Reading Educator Summit, with 400-plus attendees;

-Inducted 24 individuals and two teams into the District's Hall of Fame, Academics, Arts or Athletics.

-Held the district's first official Alumni Association event, a Homecoming Tailgate;

-Met with an additional 10 school districts about the successful CKLA curriculum implementation,

40 school districts from eight states have visited with WJHSD to learn more about CKLA;

-Working with an Architect of Record on a feasibility study to be completed by Winter 2025 that will develop a sound capital project plan for the District;

-Demolition of the old TJHS began and is expected to be completed by late Summer;

-Purchased a van for the district to assist with smaller field trips and save money in transportation costs;

-Increased hourly rates for school bus drivers to incentivize additional community members to apply for the positions, while rewarding those drivers who have been committed to the district;

-Received a grant for $20,000 from Clearview Federal Credit Union to update the AHN Chill Room at PHMS, part of the AHN Chill Project.

-The WJHSD Board of School Directors received the Richard D. Wynn Distinguished School Board Award;

- Held an activity/meeting in partnership with the United Way and district staff to gain a better understanding of the poverty spiral;

-Held parent and family engagement events with district personnel and BCAP to allow for a smooth transition of families and students into the district;

-Hosted a WJH Chamber of Commerce breakfast with local business partners on the state of the economy and business development in the South Hills and Mon Valley.

Academics

- In its third year using Amplify's Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA, K-5) and English Language Arts (6-8) curriculum, district students continued to thrive:

-Among the 42 school districts served by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3, WJHSD ranks in the top 10 in the Average Growth Index in:

- Reading, 1st; Literature, 1st; Math, 2nd; 8th grade Science, 4th; Algebra I, 7th; Biology, 8th. WJHSD ranks in the top 50 statewide in Reading (37th), Literature (37th) and Math (43rd);

-Pleasant Hills Middle School ranked No. 1 in Keystone Biology achievement across all 693 Pa. tested schools;

-The 2023 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test results showed that the percentage of WJHSD students who were advanced or proficient in Math and Reading in grades 3-8 was significantly higher than the state averages:

-The PSSA results showed that the percentage of WJHSD students in grades 3-8 who were advanced or proficient in Math achievement were at least 10 points higher than the state average for each of the six grades. Among the district's third grade students, 84% were advanced or proficient in Math, 32.3 points higher than the Pa. average for third graders.

-The PSSA results showed that the percentage of WJHSD students in grades 3-8 who were advanced or proficient in Reading achievement were at least nine points higher than the state average for each of the six grades. Among the district's third grade students, 82% were advanced or proficient in Reading, 28 points higher than the Pa. average. Among WJHSD's eighth grade students, 78% were advanced or proficient in Reading, 25.3 points higher than the Pa. average.

-WJHSD's 4th grade and 8th grade PSSA Science scores also were at least 10 points higher than state averages, with (85%) of JHIS students and (76%) of PHMS students advanced or proficient in Science;

-A school record 290 TJ students were enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses this spring, an increase of 34% from the 191 students in 2018;

-A school record 208 TJ AP students earned 3 scores (may qualify for college credits) on 2024 AP exams, up from 189 in 2023 and 162 in 2022;

-A school record 257 TJ students took AP exams this spring, well above the 239 students who did so in 2023.

-The 257 Jaguar students took a total of 514 AP exams this spring, just under the record total of 519 in 2023, and a 42% increase since 2018;

- A school record 44 TJ students earned AP Scholars distinction, up from 19 in 2020, and 71 seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society;

-A total of 161 TJ seniors were recognized at the Senior Honors Ceremony for posting a 3.2 grade point average or higher, representing 66.5 percent of the 242 seniors who graduated;

-A total of 69 TJ seniors earned Highest Honors (4.0 GPA or higher), an increase of 11 over the past two years.

-The WJHSD Foundation for Education distributed 10 grants totaling nearly $10,000 to district teachers to be used for school-related projects that are consistent with the curriculum and goals established by the district;

-The district held its first "Camp Jaguar," with five three-day sessions held in Summer 2023. Camp Jaguar will return in July 2024 for its second installment.

Arts

- Thomas Jefferson's spring musical, "Beauty and the Beast," won five Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards in the highest budget category (IV). For the second time in three years, TJ's musical theater students earned Best Musical honors in their budget category.

-Beauty and the Beast also won Best Vocal Ensemble and Best Crew/Technical Execution for the third consecutive year. TJ also won Best Lighting Design, an area that included senior Brady Bandik, who was selected the Outstanding Student Artist among the six finalists from all participating schools.

-Beauty and the Beast was nominated in all eight Gene Kelly Awards ensemble categories for the second consecutive year, including earning a third straight Best Musical nomination;

-TJ's Fall play, "Trap," was nominated for Best Overall Production and TJ students were nominated in 11 categories at the Prime Stage Theatre Drama Awards, with wins in three categories:

- Brady Bandik won for Best Student Lighting Design for the second consecutive year;

- Lauren Mutmansky & Jeremy Thompson won for Best Sound Design & Direction;

- Alec Mahathey & Maddie Potts won for Best Stage Management.

- The 50th Anniversary of TJ's International Thespian Society (ITS) Troupe (2333) was celebrated with a showcase that included performances from current and former TJ drama students.

- The PHMS PTO's 31st Annual "Shower of Stars" Talent Show was held in January;

- A pair of students earned an "Award of Merit" at the Pennsylvania State PTA Reflections Awards ceremony. The honorees were Jefferson Hills Intermediate School students Sadie Johnson and William Taylor.

- WJHSD hosted the PMEA District I Elementary Band Festival at TJ;

- Area senior citizens were invited to attend a free breakfast and preview of the TJ holiday chorus concert;

- The TJ A Cappella Choir won a contest sponsored by Q 92.9 FM to perform on stage with Foreigner on July 31. The choir will sing, "I Want to Know What Love Is" with the band.

Athletics

-The TJ Softball team (16-8) captured the program's first PIAA 5A State Championship with a thrilling 2-1 walk-off win over Pittston Area HS. The team became the first TJ girls squad to win a PIAA team title. The Jaguars were 9-7 in the regular season and the No. 10 seed in the WPIAL playoffs, but advanced to the championship game. The team then won four consecutive PIAA contests, traveling more than 1,300 miles in 11 days, capped by the dramatic victory at Penn State's Nittany Lion Softball Park.

-The gymnastics squad earned the Gold Medal with a first-place finish in the Silver Division at the PA Classic State Gymnastics Championships. The Jaguars previously won PA Classic state titles in 2018 and 2019.

-Eight TJ teams won Section/Division Championships: girls soccer, girls volleyball, boys basketball, boys bowling, hockey, boys swimming and diving, girls swimming and diving and baseball.

-For the second time in three years, TJ hockey (21-3) won the PIHL 2A Penguins Cup! The Jaguars defeated Penn-Trafford, 8-4, in the title game. TJ was edged by Pennridge in the 2A state championship game.

-It was a historic season for the wrestling squad, as a trio of Jaguars won WPIAL 3A titles and Maddox Shaw became TJ's second PIAA Champion. Juniors Shaw (139 lbs), Bode Marlow (160) and Shep Turk (285) all won WPIAL crowns, boosting TJ to second place in the team standings, the program's highest finish. Shaw became TJ's first two-time WPIAL champ and the Jaguars had multiple WPIAL titlists for the first time.

-At the PIAA Wrestling Championships, Shaw completed a 43-3 campaign with an overtime takedown. He has a school record 127 victories entering his senior season. Marlow placed third at 160 lbs.

-The girls volleyball team (18-3) advanced to the WPIAL 3A semifinals and to the PIAA Tournament quarterfinals;

-The girls soccer team (17-2) captured its second consecutive Section championship;

- The boys basketball squad (21-6) won its first Section crown since 2014 and advanced to the WPIAL 5A semifinals and PIAA Tournament. Senior Evan Berger became the TJ career scoring leader among boys and girls players, finishing with 1,610 points. Karri (Miller) Lockhart is next with 1,357.

- The TJ girls swimming and diving team won its third consecutive Section championship. Junior Genevieve Cody placed second in the 50 Free and fourth in the 100 Free at the PIAA 2A Championships. The Jaguars' 200 Free Relay placed 7th and became the first TJ relay to medal at PIAAs. The TJ Girls team finished 14th of 68 teams and broke four school records at the state meet.

-The boys swimming and diving team was unbeaten in Section competition to earn its first Section championship. Gage Derrick broke the school record in the 200 Free, placing 6th at the WPIAL Championships and qualifying for the PIAA Championships.

- TJ's boys bowling team won the WPIBL South section championship for the third consecutive year and advanced to the WPIBL Western Pennsylvania Regional Championships;

- Laekyn Flinn became the ninth TJ girls basketball player to eclipse 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,019.

-The baseball team posted a 9-1 Section record to earn a share of its first Section title since 2019. The Jaguars (19-5) advanced to the WPIAL semifinals and earned their second PIAA Tournament berth in three years.

-Junior Sylvia Kashak was second in the WPIAL 800-meter run, breaking the school record three times, en route to PIAA Championships berth.

- In its second season, the TJ Unified Bocce team earned its first berth in the Three Rivers Region South Allegheny playoffs. The Unified Bocce program is sponsored by Special Olympics PA and the PIAA.

- The TJ Cheer squad was third in the WPIAL Class 3A Competitive Spirit Small Varsity Championship and qualified for its fifth consecutive PIAA Championship;

- At least 20 TJ athletes plan to continue their academic and athletic careers in college in 2024-25.

Activities

-TJ's Chick-fil-A Leader Academy organized a 5K run to benefit senior Cassidy Hummer, who is battling brain cancer. More than 300 runners and walkers raised $10,879.32 to support Cassidy.

-One year after holding its first Career Fair, Thomas Jefferson held its first Job Fair, with 35-plus vendors attending the highly successful event that all TJ students could attend;

- The PHMS annual Thanksgiving Food Drive again was a tremendous success; the drive has been a tradition for more than 20 years. All items collected during the PHMS Thanksgiving Food Drive were donated to the food bank at the Olivet United Presbyterian Church in West Elizabeth in time for distribution prior to Thanksgiving;

-The TJ National Business Honor Society hosted a Dodgeball Tournament, raising more than $3,000 for the Four Diamonds Childhood Cancer Research Fund;

-The G.O.L.D. program continued to expand in Grades 5-12, providing opportunities for student leadership and mentoring;

- Nearly 150 students from Gill Hall and McClellan Elementary Schools and Jefferson Hills Intermediate School trained for, and participated in, the Kids of Steel one mile race as part of Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend;

- McClellan Elementary students and staff raised $18,000 at their Fun Run for events and playground equipment.

- PHMS 7th grade archaeology students' plans for the Century III Mall were featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and on KDKA-TV and WTAE-TV.

-TJ's International Club hosted the highly successful Culture Fest that was open to the public for a second consecutive year.

-Approximately 25-30 TJ students worked the polls during the November election and April primary and were featured on KDKA and WTAE.

- Remake Learning activities were held in the district as part of a countywide effort to increase experiences and learning in a new way. McClellan Elementary hosted a "Bee the Change" event at TJ that was open to the public.

Achievements

-Stephan Mirtchev was selected National Merit Scholarship Commended Student;

-Two PHMS teams took first place in their division at the Pa. Future Problem Solving State Bowl and advanced to the International Competition at Indiana University in June.

-For the second consecutive year, a team of TJ students won the Allegheny County Envirothon, sponsored by the County's Conservation District. The students - Reagan Sanderson, Lukeman El-Hajj, Hunter Houk, Kamryn Mull and Connor McCann - earned the opportunity to participate in the Pennsylvania Envirothon;

-Tyler Harrington was selected for the Steel Center CTE's Outstanding Senior Award for Electrical Construction. He also received the West Jefferson Hills Chamber of Commerce's Steel Center scholarship;

- Brody Pava was selected Steel Center's Outstanding Senior in Automotive Technology;

- Freshman Sarah Greenblatt earned first place at Pa. Junior Academy of Sciences state competition.

She presented her behavioral science research questioning a human's ability to discern text written by Artificial Intelligence (AI) vs human authors.

- Julie Evanchak, was the recipient of the Christopher Rawson Kelly Critics Award and spoke at the Gene Kelly Awards.

- Douglas Martinez and Kamala Subedi were recognized with TJ's SHASDA Student Awards.

-TJ student Connor Garden was part of the Steel Center CTE team that took second place in the National Association of Home Builders International Builders' Show national student competition.

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