Quaker Valley Middle School

Infobox_School
name = Quaker Valley Middle School

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motto =
established = 1956
type = Public, International Baccalaureate
affiliation =
district = Quaker Valley School District
grades = 6, 7, 8
president =
Assistant principal =
principal = Mr. Sean Aiken
head of school = Joseph Clapper
dean =
faculty =
staff =
students =
enrollment =
athletics =
conference =
colors = Black, White, and Gold
mascot = Quaker
free_label =
free_text =
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free_text2 =
location = 201 Graham St., Sewickley, PA 15143
information = [phone]
website = [http://www.qvsd.org/qvsdmiddleschool Quaker Valley Middle School]

Quaker Valley Middle School is a middle school located in Sewickley, PA. In 1999, the school became an International Baccalaureate school, being one of the first 15 to be certified in the country. QVMS is well-known for an innovative laptop-technology grant, received in 2000 from former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge. In 2001, the entire district was designated a Pennsylvania Digital School District. Quaker Valley has been ranked in a University of Pittsburgh Study to be first in the region in use of technology, as an Apple Distinguished School for technology, and as a 2004 recipient of the Technology in Action Award (AASA). [ [http://www.padigitalschooldistricts.com/districts.html Pittsburgh School District Study] ] The school district is also a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. As of the 05-06 school year, QVMS has less than 500 students.

History

The building that QVMS currently occupies was built in the 1910s for Sewickley High School, a now defunct public school. When the Quaker Valley School District was organized in 1956, Sewickley High School closed, and the building then became a junior high school (encompassing grades 7, 8, and 9), known as Quaker Valley Junior High. This change was also accompanied by the addition of a new gymnasium, cafeteria, dance studio, and wood shop. The old gym, as well as locker rooms, is located underneath the school, and is no longer in use. The old gym is accessible via trap doors located on the 1st floor. In 1997, the building underwent major renovations, and was also converted to a middle school. These renovations included a new library, computer lab, central office, as well as many new classrooms and minor changes. The band/chorus rooms under the auditorium became the district offices. All 6th graders and teachers from the school district moved to the middle school, and all 9th graders and teachers moved to Quaker Valley High School.

Location

The Quaker Valley School District covers 21 square miles, an area encompassing 13,225 people (2004 Census Bureau Estimate). The school district altogether serves about 2,000 students from 11 municipalities: Aleppo Township, Bell Acres Borough, Edgeworth Borough, Glenfield Borough, Haysville Borough, Leet Township, Leetsdale Borough, Osborne Borough, Sewickley Borough, Sewickley Heights Borough, Sewickley Hills Borough, and Fair Oaks Borough.

Demographics

A study conducted in the 2004-2005 school year found the school diversity to be as follows: White- 87.1%, Hispanic - 1.4%, Native American - 0.3%, Asian - 1.3%, Black- 8%, Multi - 1.9%. [ [http://www.qvsd.org/25507582316334/site/default.asp School District Statistics 2] ] Over the past thirteen years, diversity has increased about 6%. [ [http://www.qvsd.org/25507582316334/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=50318] ] However, the school remains mostly homogeneous.

ee also

* Quaker Valley High School
* Sewickley High School

References