ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Several Allentown schools are in need of performance support, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Allentown School District administrators gave a presentation to school directors at Thursday’s board meeting about the state improvement designations.
There are six ASD schools designated as needing comprehensive school improvement (CSI), meaning they are facing “significant challenges in academic achievement, student growth, and other areas.”
The schools with this three-year designation are: Allen High School, Building 21, Harrison Morton Middle School, Raub Middle School, South Mountain Middle School and Trexler Middle School.
Based on another three-year designation, Dieruff High School needs additional targeted support and improvement (A-TSI) for English language learners and students with disabilities. This means these student groups at Dieruff are performing at or below the level of CSI schools.
Buildings in need of comprehensive school improvement are those facing “significant challenges in academic achievement, student growth, and other areas,” according to the state Department of Education.
Two Allentown schools also received a targeted support and improvement (TSI) designation.
This one-year designation means certain student groups are at or below state standards. Union Terrace Elementary School received the TSI designation for Black students, and Dieruff received it for Black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students.
Charter renewal and possible new school
In other Allentown School Board news, school directors approved a renewal of the charter for Executive Education Academy Charter School, starting July 1 and ending June 30, 2029.
School directors also voted to give the district’s solicitor the authority to complete a property purchase agreement for a new kindergarten through eighth grade school.
Superintendent Carol Birks said the district is looking to build a K-8 school to offer more opportunities to families in ASD.
The district is exploring whether the school will be theme-based, she said, adding community input will determine what the school’s learning experience looks like.
When asked if ASD’s previously proposed middle school project will continue on the city's East Side, she said the district is still exploring.
The school board will vote on whether to approve a districtwide feasibility study with Breslin Architects at its Aug. 22 meeting. The study will help the district plan for its short-term and long-term facilities needs.
Birks said the feasibility study will help the district determine where it needs to build a school based on objective facts, like birthrates. The feasibility study will also allow for community input, she said.
