1 ABOUT OUR SCHOOL Our History Commonwealth Connections Academy is an accredited, public school serving students in grades K-12 from across the state of Pennsylvania. Our students come from urban, suburban, and rural communities. The school was founded during the 2003 04 school year as a K-8 school. The school s first 12th grade class graduated in June 2009. Our Mission Through our individualized service, instruction, and dedication to achievement, we provide an opportunity for all students to competently meet personal and community goals, overcome challenges, and share their passion for success with future generations. OUR PROGRAM Commonwealth Connections Academy includes a four-year comprehensive high school program with an enrollment of over 4450 students. Here are some important facts about the program: Commonwealth Connections Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA). CCA has been conducting annual Graduation Ceremonies since 2009 for our graduating seniors. They are attended at locations throughout the state during the month of June. The school has 388 certified/ licensed professional staff. Of those, 210 have earned advanced degrees and all are highly qualified. School is in session 180 days between the months of September and June. Students are able to earn up to 8 credits during the school year. The typical course load is 6 classes per semester. One semester class equals one-half of a high school credit. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION: Chief Education Officer (CEO): Dr. Maurice Flurie III Chief Operations Officer (COO): Thomas Longenecker Principal: Anthony Rusnak Assistant Principal(s): Daniel Ladislaw (12), Sarah Rothermel (12), Tim Butler (11), Ken Grove (11), Jim Alex (10), Michael Schatz (10), Jeff Geisel (9), Kerry Wiest (9) Director of Pupil Services: Cheryl Frishmuth Manager of Career Guidance: Brian Comegna (12) Coordinator of College & Career: Kim Rogusky (12) Counseling Staff: Stacey Roman (10/11), Sarah Campbell (10/11), Meghan Tavani (10-12), Kristen DÁngelo (10), Emily Kreiger (9), Rachel Lavelle (9), Adrienne Underkoffler (9) Students who have taken high school level courses while in middle school may have been granted high school credit. Summer school is offered in a variety of subject areas for credit recovery and enrichment. CCA offers many clubs and activities, including Adventure Club, Lego Robotics, and National Honor Society. CCA sponsors the South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the Southern Pennsylvania Scholastics Writing Awards. CCA offers Conservatory Programs in STEM and Arts and Humanities. These programs provide individualized, hands-on career opportunities to high school students. CCA began an 8th-12th grade Career Planning course in 2013. The CCA Guidance Department hosted a Fall and Spring College Night Live program. Continued on page 3 Commonwealth Connections Academy CEEB Code #396082 ConnectionsAcademy.com 2015 Connections Education LLC. 1426 N. 3rd St., 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17102 Fax: 717-651-0670 717-651-7200
2 COURSE OFFERINGS Commonwealth Connections Academy s core curriculum is geared toward preparing students for college and beyond. Students have access to AP, Honors, College Preparatory, and Basic programs. AP course offerings include: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB and BC, Computer Science, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Spanish, Statistics, U.S. Government, and U.S. History. Honors course offerings include: Algebra I and II, American Government, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Earth Space Science, Marine Science, English 9 12, Geometry, Physical Science, Pre-calculus, U.S. History, and World History. GRADING SCALE Student transcripts reflect weighted grades if the student took Honors or Advanced Placement courses. The numerical grading scale is as follows: Grade Numerical Percentage Non- (Honors) A+ 98 100 4.00 4.50 5.00 A 92 97 4.00 4.50 5.00 A- 90 91 3.67 4.17 4.67 B+ 88 89 3.33 3.83 4.33 (AP) TESTING STATISTICS ACT school averages for 2014 15: Math... 21 Reading...24 English...23 Science...22 Writing... 7 Composite...23 SAT school averages for 2013 14: Math...481 Writing...470 Critical Reading... 515 Combined... 1466 AP results for 2013 14: 25 students took exams in 17 subjects. Students scored a 3 or higher on 72% of these exams. B 82 87 3.00 3.50 4.00 B- 80 81 2.67 3.17 3.67 C+ 78 79 2.33 2.83 3.33 C 72 77 2.00 2.50 3.00 C- 70 71 1.67 2.17 2.67 D+ 68 69 1.33 1.83 2.33 D 62 67 1.00 1.50 2.00 D- 60 61 0.67 1.17 1.67 F 0 59 0.00 0.00 0.00 Transcript Abbreviations CO Course completed EN Scheduled in section IP Active in section PC Student has completed course and teacher is finishing grading WF Failing grade at time of withdrawal from course WP Passing grade at time of withdrawal from course. Please view all of our high school courses
3 CLASS RANK POLICY Class rank is calculated twice each year, at the conclusion of each semester. Class rank is based upon the student s cumulative weighted G.P.A. for all high school courses, including transfer courses. HIGH SCHOOL VIRTUAL VISITATION College representatives are invited to connect with our students through web conferencing technology. Two weeks notice is greatly appreciated so that we have time to notify students. For more information about setting up a web conference session, please contact Kim Rogusky at krogusky@ccaeducate.me Continued from page 1 1st place for Best Cyber School, Best Charter School, and Best Academic Tutoring & 2nd place for Best Arts & Crafts Classes in 2015 by Central Penn Parent Magazine. Real World Design Challenge team has been a top 4 finisher in Pennsylvania every year since 2008. In 2011, finished in 1st place among 70 teams in Pennsylvania and won a national merit award. From 2012 through 2015 finished 1st in Pennsylvania and 2nd place nationally in 2012 and 2013. 12th grade students selected as one of the Best and Brightest during 2013 and 2015 school years. CCA took first place at the 76ers Sports Marketing Career 2013 Seminar. Three CCA students won Aspirations in Computing Award for Women during 2013 and 2014. French and Spanish Honors Society students placed 3rd in Lebanon Valley College s Foreign Language Competition. 9th grade student won first place in the 2013-14 SchmidtKramer Attitudes Essay Contest. 12th grade student awarded full scholarships to Ivy League schools. CCA senior named one of the top runners-up in the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community awards in Pennsylvania. 4 CCA high school students earned 2nd place in the Hershey Garden Design Challenge. CCA junior accepted to the National Aquarium Student Summer program. CCA student advanced to the Poetry Out Loud region semifinals. 2015 Graduate won the I m a Leader Contest and was recognized in Time News. Kurt Amen was selected as PublicSchoolOptions. org s 2015 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
4 SAMPLING OF UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES Students in the Class of 2015 earned total college scholarship awards in the amount of $2,966,331.00 and were accepted to the following colleges: Albright College, Allegheny College, Alvernia University, Arcadia University, Art Institute of Philadelphia, Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division, Baptist Bible College, Bard College, Belmont University, Berry College, Blinn College, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, Bridgewater College, Brigham Young University, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, California State University: Fresno, California State University: Los Angeles, California University of Pennsylvania, Catholic University of America, Cedar Crest College, Cedarville University, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clark University, College of Charleston, College of St. Scholastica, Colorado College, Columbia College, Concordia College, DeSales University, Drexel University, Duquesne University, D Youville College, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, Eastern University, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Elizabethtown College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- Daytona Beach, Evangel University, Fashion Institute of Technology: State University of New York, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Full Sail University, Gannon University, George Mason University, Goldey- Beacom College, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Hilbert College, Hofstra University, Houghton College, Immaculata University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana Wesleyan University, Johns Hopkins University, Kaplan University: Cedar Falls, Kent State University, Keystone College, King s College, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, La Roche College, La Salle University, LaGrange College, Lancaster Bible College, Lasell College, Lebanon Valley College, Lee University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Liberty University, Lincoln University, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Loyola University in Maryland, Lynchburg College, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Marist College, Mary Baldwin College, Marymount Manhattan College, Messiah College, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Millikin University, Monmouth University, Mount Aloysius College, Mount St. Mary s University, Neumann University, Northwestern University, Oberlin tcollege, Old Dominion University, Pace University, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Penn State Hazleton, Penn State University Park, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Pensacola Christian College, Philadelphia University, Point Park University, Regent University, Rhode Island School of Design, Robert Morris University, Saint Joseph s University, Salisbury University, Sarah Lawrence College, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Seton Hill University, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, St. John s University, St. Peter s University, St. Vincent College, State University of New York at Purchase, Suffolk University, Susquehanna University, Temple University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, The Crown College of the Bible, Towson University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Tufts University, University of Bridgeport, University of California: Irvine, University of Delaware, University of Harrisburg, Philly Campus, University of Hartford, University of Kentucky, University of Mary Washington, University of Miami, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh, University of Rochester, University of Scranton, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ursinus College, Vassar College, Virginia Commonwealth University, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington College, Wesley College, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Virginia University, Wilson College, Word of Life Bible Institute, York College of Pennsylvania
5 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 24 Carnegie units of credit are required for graduation. Specific requirements include: Area/Subjects # Units for Graduation Language Arts 4 Math 3 Science 3 Social Studies 3 Health 1 Physical Education 1 Technology 1 Humanities & Arts 2 Other Electives 6 Total 24 FUTURE PLANS FOR THE CLASS OF 2015 Plan % Two-year college 21.3 Four-year college 19.9 Employment 22.1 Vocational training 14.3 Military 3.3 Other 0.1 Unknown 1.3 Gap Year 17.2 Mission Work 0.5 Total 100