Northampton Area School District is the Home of the Konkrete Kids
Northampton Area School District is located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley. Covering 97.3 square miles in Northampton County, the school district is comprised of the boroughs of Bath, Chapman and Northampton; and the townships of Allen, East Allen, Lehigh and Moore. The population of the district is more than 38,500. The school district is located 10 miles from the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem, 70 miles from Philadelphia and 90 miles from New York City. There is easy access to major roadways, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 78, Route 22, Route 145, Route 329 and Route 248.
Northampton Area School District is a community rooted deep in tradition. The Borough of Northampton was the location of the former cement giant, The Atlas Portland Cement Company. The school district mascot, the Konkrete Kid, is attributed to the once-thriving cement industry in the area. The district currently serves approximately 5,800 students through four elementary schools, a middle and a high school.
Elementary Schools
Northampton Area School District has six elementary school buildings to comprise four elementary schools.
Two elementary schools are located in the Borough of Northampton, Siegfried Elementary and Franklin Elementary. Together they serve students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. George Wolf Elementary in Bath; Lehigh Elementary in Walnutport, and Moore Elementary in Bath serve students north and east of Northampton.
The elementary school curriculum stresses development of basic skills, as well as higher level thinking. The district's K-6 schools all offer Full Day Kindergarten, Library, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Computer Instruction, Fine Arts, Physical Education, IST, Gifted and Special Education, Chorus, and Band.
Total elementary enrollment is approximately 2,900. Class sizes average approximately 22 students, but this varies from school to school.
Middle School
The Northampton Area Middle School is located in the Borough of Northampton. Enrollment is approximately 1,000 students in 7th and 8th grades.
The Middle School curriculum uses the Team Teaching Technique to provide maximum interaction between the students and teachers. Interdisciplinary units incorporate core subjects and are connected to related arts. Programs, curricula and activities include: English, Art, Mathematics, Reading, Social Studies, Computer Instruction, Music, Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Art, Exploratory Languages, Science, Music, Physical Education, Band, Chorus, Athletics, Newspaper Club and Yearbook Club.
High School
The Northampton Area Senior High School is located in the Borough of Northampton. Enrollment is approximately 1,810 students for 9th through 12th grades. The average graduating class is 460 students.
The High School offers programs of studies in Advanced Placement, Honors, College Preparatory, Applied Academics and Vocational/Technical studies through the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. Co-curriclular activities round out academics and include Athletics, Band, Chorus, Drama, Peer Helpers, Scholastic Scrimmage and Student Council.
A new mandatory 9th grade course has been developed entitled Peer Relations, based on the award-winning Peer Helper course, that now encorporates the Olweus anti-bullying program, stress strategies, social values and skills and diversity. This course will aid the transition of students into the high school by introducing them to resources available within the school and community.
At-risk, alternative education, Student Assistance Program (SAP), and counseling services are provided at the secondary level.
The graduation rate for 2008-2009 was 99%. Approximately 83% of Northampton graduates attend post-secondary institutions.
Faculty and Staff
The Northampton Area School District staff consists of 407 professional employees, 31 administrative employees and 206 support personnel. Total employment is approximately 640. Our veteran teaching staff averages 14.25 years of experience, and 68% of Northampton's teachers hold a master's degree or more.
Budget
The 2009-10 budget is approximately $81.5 million. The millage rate is 43.55. Local revenue accounts for 66.97% of the school district budget. State funds account for 29.65%, and federal funds account for 3.38%. The total budgeted expenditure per pupil is approximately $14,291.
