Elmer L. Meyers Junior/Senior High School

Coordinates: 41°14′21″N 75°54′31″W / 41.239161°N 75.908629°W / 41.239161; -75.908629

Elmer L. Meyers Junior/Senior High School
Location
341 Carey Ave. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania United States
Information
Type	Junior-Senior High School
Motto	"Steadfast Forever, Meyers High"
Established	1937
School district	Wilkes-Barre Area School District
Dean	Mr. Peters
Principal	Mr. Schwab
Vice principal	Mr. Elias
Staff	67
Grades	7-12
Number of students	949
Color(s)	Royal blue and Gold
Mascot	Mohawk

Elmer L. Meyers Junior/Senior High School (commonly known throughout the area as 'E. L. Meyers' or 'Meyers') is an urban, public school located on 341 Carey Avenue, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It is one of three public high schools in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Meyers is both a junior and senior public high school, offering education to approximately 949 students (2010) in grades 7-12. The student to teacher ratio is approximately 14 students per teacher.^[1] Meyers' sports teams are called "Mohawks." Meyers and G.A.R High Schools have one of the longest standing sports rivalries in the Wyoming Valley.

History

Meyers opened in the 1930 and has survived the flood of 1972. It is currently undergoing construction to fix the roof. As of June 2011, the WBASD(Wilkes-Barre Area School District) members are currently debating continued renovation of the school.^[2][3][4][5] A projected decrease in population was lauded when the school was first proposed to be closed, though the school has since seen a stable population of students who often do not require public busing.^[6] Options include: #1 Close down and demolish Elmer L Meyers Junior/Senior High School, and rebuild the high school at a price of 65 million dollars or #2 Repair Elmer L Meyers Junior/Senior High School at a price of 85 million dollars. If #1 was picked, the students of the school woul be displaced for 1 to 2 years. All 7th and 8th graders would be sent to G. A. R. Memorial Junior Senior High School along with 30% of the 9th-12th graders. The 70% of the 9th-12th graders left will be sent to James M Coughlin High School. The students would return in the 2012-2013 or the 2013-2014 school year.

Awards

In 2010, E. L. Meyers JSHS achieved AYP. Additionally, the students had negative growth in academic achievement, in 2010. ^[7] In 2009 the school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I AYP status due to chronic low student achievement. ^[8] In 2008, the school was in School Improvement Level I.

In December 2008, Meyers received a bronze placing in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 "Best High Schools" list, which is given to schools that whose student body and lest-advantage students exceed performance expectations on the Pennsylvania high school test.^[9][10][11]

Graduation rate

In 2010, the high school's graduation rate declined to 89%. In 2009, the graduation rate was 95%. ^[12]

Requirements

In addition to completing course requirements, students are required by Pennsylvania law to complete a graduation project as outlined by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Students who fail to complete the requirements set for each year (10th and 11th) are denied participation in all activities from the first day of school in the following school year until the requirement is met. ^[13]

Academic achievement

In 2010, the school achieved AYP status. In 2009 the school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I status ^[14] Below are the grade level compared to the state levels.

11th Grade Reading 2010 - 61% on grade level (18% below basic), State - 66%[15] 2009 - 70% (19% below basic), State - 65% [16] 2008 - 56% (17% below basic), State - 65% [17] 2007 - 71% (10% below basic), State - 65% [18] 11th Grade Math 2010 - 52%, on grade level (27% below basic), State - 59%[19] 2009 - 50% (32% below basic). State - 56%. 2008 - 39% (38% below basic), State - 56% 2007 - 55% (24% below basic), State - 53% 11th Grade Science 2010 - 36% on grade level (17% below basic), State - 39% 2009 - 30% (20% below basic). State - 40% [20] 2008 - 28% (13% below basic), State - 39%

8th Grade Reading 2010 - 80% on grade level (8% below basic), State, 81% 2009 - 75% (13% below basic), State - 80% 2008 - 72% (14% below basic), State - 78% [21] 2007 - 84% (3% below basic), State - 75% 8th Grade Math 2010 - 52% on grade level (32% below basic), State - 75%[22] 2009 - 55% (22% below basic), State - 71% [23] 2008 - 49% (29% below basic), State - 70% 2007 - 65% (14% below basic), State - 68% 8th Grade Science 2010 - 50% on grade level (25% below basic). State - 57% 2009 - 50% (31% below basic), State - 55% [24] 2008 - 44% (37% below basic), State - 52% [25]

7th Grade Reading 2010 - 80% on grade level, 33% advanced (8% below basic), State - 73% 2009 - 75%, 45% advanced (9% below basic), State - 71% 2008 - 61% (18% below basic), State - 70% 2007 - 49% (18% below basic), State - 67% 7th Grade Math 2010 - 64% on grade level (19% below basic), State - 77% 2009 - 50% (18% below basic), State - 75% 2008 - 46% (25% below basic), State - 71% 2007 - 48% (31% below basic), State - 67%

Speech and Debate

E. L. Meyers High School is known across the country for its speech and debate team. Founded in 1997, Meyers hosts the Martin Luther King Open Speech and Debate Tournament every January. The team won a national championship in 2009 when it tied four other schools for the top spot at the National Catholic Forensic League championships held in Albany, NY.^[26][27][28]

Musical groups

• Chorus
• Concert Band
• Jazz Band
• Marching Band
• Orchestra
• Glee Club

Alma mater

From hall and class thy students come, From fields thy warriors bold To raise with honor glory love, The royal blue and gold So now, to dear ol' Meyers High We proudly stand and sing While clear against the azure blue, Thy honored named we fling.

CHORUS Loud and long, Let us raise the song of glory, As thy banners of truth, Proudly fly, On though life, in our hearts We will cherish STEADFAST FOREVER, MEYERS HIGH!

When we must leave thy guiding hand, To take our place in life, Then we must keep thy honor clear, Through all our joy and strife, And when the hand of memory, Rolls back times gathering haze, We'll pause once more as now we do, To sing again thy praise.

—Ellen Robert [Class of 1932]
Music by: Annette Gilbert Wiggins ^[29][30]

Fight song

The director of marching band obtained official copies of and permission to perform the Florida State Seminoles' War Chant.^[31] This song is used as a fight song for the school–especially during sporting events–and is often accompanied by the waving of a tomahawk or rigid arm (to signify the war axe).

Notable alumni

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

• Qadry Ismail – NFL Analyst, Former NFL wide receiver ^[31][32][33]
• Raghib Ismail – Former NFL wide receiver ^[32][33][34]
• Edward B. Lewis – Geneticist, Nobel Prize Winner (1995) ^[35][36]
• Paul K. Lott, Sr., Kn.R. – Harvard Alumni, Education reform advocate in sub-Saharan Africa ^[37][38][39]

References

1. ^ "Public School Profile". http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/71373. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
2. ^ By Andrew Staub (Staff Writer). "Wilkes-Barre Area deadlocks on budget - News". Citizens Voice. http://citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-area-deadlocks-on-budget-1.1168414#axzz1Qm0LTiAN. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
3. ^ Murdoch, Jim (2011-06-09). "Study May Determine Future of Meyers High". WNEP. http://www.wnep.com/wnep-luz-study-to-determine-future-of-meyers-high-20110609,0,6511078.story. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
4. ^ By Erin Moody (Staff Writer) (2011-06-09). "Wilkes-Barre Area to study repercussions of closing Meyers - News". Citizens Voice. http://citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-area-to-study-repercussions-of-closing-meyers-1.1159307#axzz1Qm0LTiAN. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
5. ^ Paul Golias (2011-06-14). "Some things at W-B Area never change - News". Citizens Voice. http://citizensvoice.com/news/some-things-at-w-b-area-never-change-1.1161239#axzz1Qm0LTiAN. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
6. ^ "Meyers’ fate rests in additional studies". Wilkes-Barre, PA: Timesleader.com. June 26, 2011. http://www.timesleader.com/news/Meyers_rsquo__fate_rests_in_additional_studies_06-26-2011.html. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
7. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2011). "Wilkes-Barre Area School District 2010 School Value Added Summary". https://pvaas.sas.com/evaas/Reports/BaseReport.jsf?reportid=78&regionid=1&districtid=1709&zoneid=1. 
8. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "ELMER L MEYERS JSHS - School AYP Overview". http://paayp.emetric.net/School/Overview/c40/118408852/3009. 
9. ^ Morse, Robert (2008-12-04). "America's Best High Schools Methodology". U.S. News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2008/12/04/americas-best-high-schools-methodology.html. Retrieved 2009-01-21. 
10. ^ Grochowski, Ryann (2008-12-13). "Meyers recognized for second year with bronze award". The Citizens' Voice. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/timesshamrock/access/1612330011.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+13,+2008&author=RYANN+GROCHOWSKI&pub=Citizens'+Voice&edition=&startpage=T.8&desc=Meyers+recognized+for+second+year+with+bronze+award. Retrieved 2009-01-21. 
11. ^ "Elmer L Meyers Junior-Senior High School: Best High Schools". http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/pennsylvania/elmer_l_meyers_junior-senior_high_school. Retrieved 2009-01-21. 
12. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "ELMER L MEYERS Junior Senior High School - School AYP Data Table". http://paayp.emetric.net/School/DataTable/c40/118408852/3009. 
13. ^ Wilkes-Barre Area School District Administration (2011). "Wilkes-Barre Area School District Graduation Project". http://www.wbasd.k12.pa.us/GradProject.pdf. 
14. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Elmer L. Meyers Junior Senior High School - School AYP Overview". http://paayp.emetric.net/School/Overview/c40/118408852/3009. 
15. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442. 
16. ^ The Times-Tribune. (September 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results,". http://thetimes-tribune.com/data-center/grading-our-schools#axzz1AEtaWzpF. 
17. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2007-2008_pssa_and_ayp_results/507514. 
18. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2006-2007_pssa_and_ayp_results/507511. 
19. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 2011). "Elmer L. Meyers Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010". http://paayp.emetric.net/Content/reportcards/RC10S118409302000006391.PDF. 
20. ^ The Times-Tribune. (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results,". http://thetimes-tribune.com/data-center/grading-our-schools#axzz1AEtaWzpF. 
21. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 2008). "Reading and Math PSSA 2008 by Schools". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2007-2008_pssa_and_ayp_results/507514. 
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23. ^ "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results Pennsylvania Department of Education Report". Portal.state.pa.us. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2008-2009_pssa_and_ayp_results/600286. Retrieved 2011-06-08. 
24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2009). "Science PSSA 2009 by Schools". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2008-2009_pssa_and_ayp_results/600286. 
25. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2008). "Science PSSA 2008 by Schools". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2007-2008_pssa_and_ayp_results/507514. 
26. ^ "Meyers shares national debate title". June 24, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-24. http://www.timesleader.com/news/hottopics/goodnews/Meyers_shares_national_debate_title_05-28-2009.html. Retrieved 2009-06-24. 
27. ^ "NCFL 2009 Consolidated Final Results" (PDF). http://www.ncfl.org/gnt/gntpast/assets/NCFL2009FinalResults-Consolidated.pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-19. 
28. ^ "E.L.Meyers Speech and Debate". Meyersspeechanddebate.com. http://www.meyersspeechanddebate.com/. Retrieved 2011-06-08. 
29. ^ Caelie McCormick, Kelly Muir, Julie Frank, ed (2001) (Print). Colophon. p. 160. 
30. ^ Robert Ronky, ed (1940). Colophon. p. 32. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nepaphotos/1940meyers/index.htm. 
31. ^ ^{a b} Moran, Malcolm (Sunday, October 6, 1991). "Seminoles Flatten Syracuse". New York Times:New York Edition: p. 8.1. http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/06/sports/college-football-seminoles-flatten-syracuse.html. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
32. ^ ^{a b} Wiley, Ralph (September 25, 1989). "The Light And The Lightning". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.): p. 4. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068837/4/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
33. ^ ^{a b} Jenkins, Sally (October 19, 1992). "Call Him Qadry". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.): p. 1. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004352/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
34. ^ Anderson, Dave (Thursday, November 1, 1990). "The Rocket: Caring, Shy, Compelling". New York Times: New York Edition: p. B13. http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/01/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-rocket-caring-shy-compelling.html. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
35. ^ Maugh II and Rosie Mestel, Thomas H. (July 23, 2004). "Edward B. Lewis, 86; Nobel Winner Helped Unlock Secrets of Genetics". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jul/23/local/me-lewis23. Retrieved 2009-09-08. 
36. ^ Biographical Memoirs: Edward B. Lewis. Proceedings Of The American Philosophical Society. 150. June 2006. p. 382. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927011138/http://www.aps-pub.com/proceedings/1502/1500213.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-08. 
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