MCCC to Graduate Largest Class in History for 12th Consecutive Year

The Montgomery County Community College graduation will take place May 23, and the Keynote Address will be given by Drexel University President John Fry

Information courtesy of Montgomery County Community College With an increase of 38 percent over the last five years, the largest class in Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) history will graduate on May 23. The increase is a testament to MCCC’s efforts to improve student access, success and completion over the last decade.   A record total of 1,513 students will receive 1,535 associate’s degrees and certificates during the College’s 46th Commencement exercises, which will be held at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell starting at 7 p.m.   The ceremony will feature a keynote address by Drexel University President John A. Fry, who was selected, in part, to emphasize MCCC’s commitment to developing multiple pathways by which students …

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North Penn School Board Says No to Charter School, Again

Education for New Generations was denied a charter school application by the school board in February. It reapplied and was denied again.

The last remaining charter school applicant in North Penn School District was denied unanimously by North Penn School Board Thursday night, according to The Reporter. Education for New Generations had re-applied to be considered for a charter school in the district after the board initially denied it earlier this year, along with two other applicants. School Board President Vince Sherpinsky said the denial was due to a lack of sustainable support for the school, telling the founders that “if you fail and cause difficulty, we’ll get blamed for it.” Sherpinsky then suggested eNG open a private school. One of the founders of the school, Naomi Rodriguez, told the board there were 226 pre-enrollments, according to the article. Read more at this…

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Souderton School Board OKs Proposed Budget With 1.14 Percent Tax Increase

The final vote on the budget will occur in June.

At least one Souderton Area School Board member didn’t like the 1.14 percent tax increase, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the district’s proposed final budget for the 2013-14 school year from passing Wednesday. The Reporter published that the school board voted 8-1 to approve the proposed final budget with the tax increase. Donna Scheuren was the dissenting vote. The school board preliminary planned to pass a 2 percent tax hike, according to the article. A vote on the final budget will occur in June. Read more at this link.

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StageCoach Theatre Arts School Taking Registrations

Registration for children ages 6 to 16 open at StageCoach Theatre Arts Schools.

North Penn HS Ranked on Newsweek's Best High Schools in America List

North Penn HS was ranked 1017 out of 2,000 by Newsweek

Newsweek released its list of the nation's top high schools, looking at student's college readiness and focusing on "graduation rates, participation in college-level classes via Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and acceptance into a two- or four-year college program,"according to the report on The Daily Beast. North Penn High School, at 1340 S Valley Forge Rd, Lansdale, was ranked 1017 out of 2,000 high schools across the country this year. According to the report, North Penn has a 95% graduation rate, with 89% of graduates heading to a institution of higher education. The average SAT score for North Penn students is 16-5 and of the students that take AP tests, the average score earned is a 3.7. Nearby…

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Three Local Students Recipients of National Merit Scholarships

Three local students are 2013 recipients of the National Merit Scholarship.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced today the 2013 $2,500 Merit Scholarship winners. There are 8,000 students nationwide who will receive a National Merit Scholarship in 2013, totally $35 million. According to a release, students are selected based on academic record, "scores from two standardized tests, contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official." Locally, the following students have been named National Merit Scholarship recipients: Name: Lijia Xie Hometown: Lansdale School: North Penn High School Probable Career Field: Applied Mathematics   Name: Daniel B. Amchin Hometown: North Wales School: William Penn …

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High Schools in Montco Top Ranking List

Rankings of the state's high schools put 9 of the county's in the top 50.

When the U.S. News and World Report ranks something, the nation tunes in. This month, the popular magazine ranked the state's high schools. Those in Montgomery County will be happy to hear it was well represented at the top of the list. Of the list's top 50 schools, nine of the county's high schools were there the list, which put the county highest in the state. Of the ranked schools, the following were in the top 50: No. 8 -- Radnor High School, Radnor Township No. 9 -- Lower Moreland High School, Huntingdon Valley No. 17 -- Lower Merion High School, Ardmore No. 24 -- Wissahickon Senior High School, Ambler No. 28 -- Upper Dublin High School, Fort Washington No. 31 -- Plymouth-Whitemarsh High, Plymouth Meeting No. 38 -- Souderton Area …

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SAVE-ing the Earth in Franconia Township

Souderton Area High School's SAVE group held an electronics recycling event Saturday at Indian Valley Middle School.

Souderton Area High School's SAVE service club—Students Against Violating the Earth—collected everything from clothing, books, old tires and car batteries to humidifiers, air conditioners, and scrap metal Saturday at Indian Valley Middle School. Oh, and tons and tons of electronics. The spring recycling event was another way that SAVE is having students promote the preservation of the environment and raise funds at the same time. Donations were accepted at the event. Students pay $15 in annual dues to belong to SAVE.  The club is overseen by teachers Ken Hamilton and Ian Burley. Check out our photo gallery for some moments captured in the lens.

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Hotel, Restaurant Conceived for Souderton High School Plot

Souderton Borough Council viewed a conceptual plan for the redevelopment of the old school property. Phase One calls for a restaurant and 24 condos on the current parking lot.

Hotel, restaurants, day care center, boutiques, condos—the concepts for the old Souderton Area High School property still have details to be ironed out. According to The Reporter, Souderton Borough Council saw concept plans for development of the 44-acre parcel, owned by Turnerville Estates, who has agreed to buy it for $6.9 million. At the meeting, TH Properties principal Tim Hendricks asked council if the borough is “headed down the right track.” Borough Manager Mike Coll said it was just a “preliminary vision.” Souderton Borough has already approved a variance for 24 condominiums and a restaurant on the parking lot property at School Lane and East Broad Street. This development would be the first phase. The school closed in 2009. Read …

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