Homer-Center School District
Encyclopedia
Homer-Center School District is a public
school district
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
. The district serves Homer City
and Center Township
. The district campus is located just south of the Homer City-Center Township border along South Main Street and adjacent to U.S. Route 119.
Homer-Center's High School principal is Jody Rainey and the assistant principal is Gene Raymond. Homer-Center's Elementary Schools principal's Michael Stofa. The district operates two school buildings, with a total enrollment of 964 students, grades K-12. The district's high school building currently accommodates 491 students, while the elementary has an enrollment of 473 students.
Homer-Center's athletic teams - known as the Wildcats - compete in the Heritage Conference, which resides in the PIAA-District VI. The district does not offer athletics programs at the elementary level, however students can participate in programs offered by the Homer City Area Athletic Booster Club (HCAABC). HCAABC-sponsored teams are nicknamed the Homer City Bears.
The Homer-Center School District is ranked 146th out of 576 public school districts in Pennsylvania
. It is also ranked first out of seven public school districts in Indiana County.
State District ID: 128323303
State District ID: 128323303
State School ID: 6797
Old Locale: Rural, outside CBSA (7)
New Locale: Rural: Fringe (41)
Status: No Boundary Change
Metro Status: Non MSA - Does not serve an MSA
CSA/CBSA: 26860
Supervisory Union #: 000
Classroom Teachers (FTE): 63.5
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15.2
ELL (formerly LEP) Students: N/A
Students with IEPs: 152
State School ID: 6797
The school is ranked 988th out of 1755 elementary schools in Pennsylvania and is ranked fifth out of the 12 elementary schools in Indiana County.
All Sports
Students in grades 3-6 can participate in basketball, baseball, softball, and cheerleading. Soccer is offered in grades 2-6. Several football teams are typically fielded, divided by age groups. Volleyball is offered to girls in sixth grade.
-Art Helpers: Grades 4-6
State School ID: 2331
The high school is ranked 67th out of 607 public high schools in Pennsylvania and is ranked second out of eight high schools in Indiana County.
Homer Center offers 10 varsity athletics programs.
As of April 25, 2008, Homer-Center students wishing to participate in wrestling gained the opportunity to do so, via a cooperation agreement with Indiana Area School District
. The agreement will allow Homer-Center students to compete on Indiana Area teams in grades 7-12.
, Jr. High Chorus, Sr. High Chorus, Men's Choir, Women's Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Computer Fairs, Band Fest, Bookworm Club, Chess Club, Christian Fellowship Club, The IUP Math Competition, County Band, County Chorus, District Band and Chorus, FBLA, French and Spanish Clubs, HCF (Hardcore Fans) Health Careers Club, The Highlighter Staff, History Day, Hometown High Q, Junior Achievement, Library Club, Mock Trial, Newspaper in Education, Quiz Bowl, Sign Language Club, SSIM, Stage Crew, Student Council, Ushers Club and the Yearbook Staff.
- Homer-Center is also known for having one of the largest Youth and Government delegations in Pennsylvania.
- The Homer-Center high school newspaper is called "The Highlighter".
- The high school yearbook is called the "Wildcat Tale".
The Memorial Field
The Memorial Field is a football stadium located on Lincoln & Harrison Streets in Homer City, PA. It opened in 1945 and has a capacity of 3,000 people, including the standing room. Originally constructed and operated by the Homer City Memorial Association, the field hosted its first night game in 1954 in front of an estimated crowd of 5,000.
Homer-Center Track and Field Stadium
The Homer-Center Track and Field Stadium is the newest facility of Homer-Center High School Athletics, being completed in 2004. It is located right behind the high school, above the student parking lots. It has a capacity of 1,000, including standing room.
"The Homerdome"
The "Homerdome" is the gymnasium located in the Homer-Center High School. It opened in 1959, and has a capacity of 1,000 people, including the standing room. A new floor and bleachers were added in 2008 as a part of a multimillion dollar renovation project.
Floodway Park
Floodway Park was established in the mid-to-late 1980s after a flood-prone Homer City neighborhood was razed. The park features a playground with two softball fields, one of which is home to the high school softball team. But, this park is usually not affiliated with Homer-Center School District.
Risinger Park
Risinger Park is the site of a former district elementary school by the same name. The wood-frame building was demolished in the late 1970s to make way for a park with a basketball court, playground equipment and a youth softball field.This area is also not usually affiliated with Homer-Center School District.
FMC Sports Complex
The FMC Sports Complex features three baseball fields and four multipurpose fields (elementary soccer, elementary football practice, etc...). In the summer of 2007, the former Junior Legion field was renovated and renamed First Commonwealth Field, after Indiana-based First Commonwealth Bank, a major donor to the renovation project. The Homer-Center baseball team as well as the local Junior Legion team call the field home. This complex is also not usually affiliated with HCSD.
programs to satisfy compulsory education laws and ensure that children were receiving an adequate education.
This decision was immediately appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit where lawyers for Homer-Center School District presented oral arguments against the homeschooling families in November 2007.
, co-ed, private school
that, although located in Homer City, it is not part of the Homer-Center School District.
This school is also known as Daryl Martin.
Average Grade Size: 5.6 students
Public
In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individuals, and the public is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the Öffentlichkeit or public sphere. The concept of a public has also been defined in political science,...
school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The district serves Homer City
Homer City, Pennsylvania
Homer City is a borough in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,844 at the 2000 census. The Homer City Generating Station is located outside of Homer City but it takes its name from the borough. Homer City is located in the Indiana metro area...
and Center Township
Center Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Center Township is a township in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,876 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-History:Center Township was created in...
. The district campus is located just south of the Homer City-Center Township border along South Main Street and adjacent to U.S. Route 119.
Homer-Center's High School principal is Jody Rainey and the assistant principal is Gene Raymond. Homer-Center's Elementary Schools principal's Michael Stofa. The district operates two school buildings, with a total enrollment of 964 students, grades K-12. The district's high school building currently accommodates 491 students, while the elementary has an enrollment of 473 students.
Homer-Center's athletic teams - known as the Wildcats - compete in the Heritage Conference, which resides in the PIAA-District VI. The district does not offer athletics programs at the elementary level, however students can participate in programs offered by the Homer City Area Athletic Booster Club (HCAABC). HCAABC-sponsored teams are nicknamed the Homer City Bears.
The Homer-Center School District is ranked 146th out of 576 public school districts in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It is also ranked first out of seven public school districts in Indiana County.
District Mission Statement
The Homer-Center School District is a caring district where "Everybody is Somebody!" Through our partnership with the family and community, we are committed to a diverse educational program that develops and prepares students for the challenges of our rapidly changing world.General information
NCES District ID: 4213290State District ID: 128323303
State District ID: 128323303
State School ID: 6797
Old Locale: Rural, outside CBSA (7)
New Locale: Rural: Fringe (41)
Status: No Boundary Change
Metro Status: Non MSA - Does not serve an MSA
CSA/CBSA: 26860
Supervisory Union #: 000
Classroom Teachers (FTE): 63.5
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15.2
ELL (formerly LEP) Students: N/A
Students with IEPs: 152
Homer-Center Elementary School
The Homer-Center Elementary School serves grades K-6. It is located on Wildcat Lane, just north of the high school building. The elementary building also contains the district administrative offices. The elementary school received two out of a possible five stars from SchoolDigger.com.State School ID: 6797
The school is ranked 988th out of 1755 elementary schools in Pennsylvania and is ranked fifth out of the 12 elementary schools in Indiana County.
Demographics
The elementary accounts for 49% of the district's enrollment. The average grade size is 67.6 students. The student/teacher ratio is 15.8 students per teacher. 217 out of 473 students (46%) are eligible for discounted/free lunch. 137 are eligible for free lunch and 80 are eligible for a reduced lunch. Breakfast is free for all students. There are 257 (54.3%) males in the elementary and 216 (45.7%) are females. , and 459 students (97%) are Caucasian/White, (2%) African American, and (1%) other.Sports
Elementary-level athletics teams are operated by the HCAABC - a local non-profit organization. The HCAABC-sponsored football and cheerleading teams are nicknamed the "Homer City Bears". Other HCAABC teams, such as basketball, softball and youth baseball squads, are sponsored by local businesses.All Sports
- Fall sports: Soccer, football, cheerleading
- Winter sports: Boys' basketball, girls basketball
- Spring sports: Baseball, softball, volleyball
Students in grades 3-6 can participate in basketball, baseball, softball, and cheerleading. Soccer is offered in grades 2-6. Several football teams are typically fielded, divided by age groups. Volleyball is offered to girls in sixth grade.
Extracurricular activities
- Band: Grades 4-6
- Chorus: Grades 5-6
- Art Club: Grade 6
- Breakfast Book Club: Grades 5-6
- Specials Helpers:
-Art Helpers: Grades 4-6
Homer-Center Junior/Senior High School
The Homer-Center High School serves grades 7-12, and is located just south of the district's elementary school on Wildcat Lane. Originally constructed in 1959 at a cost of $2.1 million, the building underwent its second complete renovation from 2008-10. The high school has received four out of five stars from SchoolDigger.com.State School ID: 2331
The high school is ranked 67th out of 607 public high schools in Pennsylvania and is ranked second out of eight high schools in Indiana County.
Demographics
The high school accounts for 51% of the district's enrollment. The average grade size is 81.8 students. The student/teacher ratio is 14.7 students per teacher. 175 out of 491 students (36%) are eligible for discounted/free lunch. 116 are eligible for free lunch and 59 are eligible for a reduced lunch. There are 260 (52.9%) males in the high school and 231 (47%) are females. 7 students (1%) are of African American descent, 3 students (1%) are Hispanic and 479 students (98%) are Caucasian/White.Athletics
Homer-Center is a member of the nine-school Heritage Conference which resides within the PIAA-District VI.Homer Center offers 10 varsity athletics programs.
- Varsity Sports: Boys' and girls' cross country, football, girls' volleyball, boys' and girls' track & field, girls' basketball, boys' Basketball, baseball, and softball
- Junior Varsity Sports: Football, girls' volleyball, girls' basketball, boys' basketball.
- Junior High Sports: Football, girls' basketball, boys' basketball, girls' volleyball, and boys' and girls' track & field.
- The varsity baseball team played in the 2005 PIAA Class-A Championship game, falling to Christopher Dock Mennonite High School.
- The 1979 varsity football team was ranked no. 1 in the state of Pennsylvania (no state-wide playoff system was in place at the time).
- The Homer-Center High School GymGymThe word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium is commonly referred to as the "Homerdome" because of its unique barrel-vault roof. - One of its athletes,has recently been competing nationwide in Track and Field.
As of April 25, 2008, Homer-Center students wishing to participate in wrestling gained the opportunity to do so, via a cooperation agreement with Indiana Area School District
Indiana Area School District
Indiana Area School District is a public school district in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. It is composed of White Township and Armstrong Township, along with Indiana and Shelocta boroughs.- Elementary schools :...
. The agreement will allow Homer-Center students to compete on Indiana Area teams in grades 7-12.
Clubs and Extracurricular Activities
Homer-Center students may elect to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities including: Teens Against All Drugs, DDR Club, Youth and Government, Scrapbooking Club, Guitar Club, Eco Club, Varsity Club, National Honor SocietyNational Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
, Jr. High Chorus, Sr. High Chorus, Men's Choir, Women's Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Computer Fairs, Band Fest, Bookworm Club, Chess Club, Christian Fellowship Club, The IUP Math Competition, County Band, County Chorus, District Band and Chorus, FBLA, French and Spanish Clubs, HCF (Hardcore Fans) Health Careers Club, The Highlighter Staff, History Day, Hometown High Q, Junior Achievement, Library Club, Mock Trial, Newspaper in Education, Quiz Bowl, Sign Language Club, SSIM, Stage Crew, Student Council, Ushers Club and the Yearbook Staff.
- Homer-Center is also known for having one of the largest Youth and Government delegations in Pennsylvania.
- The Homer-Center high school newspaper is called "The Highlighter".
- The high school yearbook is called the "Wildcat Tale".
Awards and recognition
Homer-Center High School English teacher Roxanne Rouse was a semi-finalist for the 2005 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award. Math teacher Mark Butler was a finalist for the 2007 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award. Math teacher Suzanne Mazur was inducted into the Penn State Behrend Lions Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2007.Facilities
From Homerdome.com:The Memorial Field
The Memorial Field is a football stadium located on Lincoln & Harrison Streets in Homer City, PA. It opened in 1945 and has a capacity of 3,000 people, including the standing room. Originally constructed and operated by the Homer City Memorial Association, the field hosted its first night game in 1954 in front of an estimated crowd of 5,000.
Homer-Center Track and Field Stadium
The Homer-Center Track and Field Stadium is the newest facility of Homer-Center High School Athletics, being completed in 2004. It is located right behind the high school, above the student parking lots. It has a capacity of 1,000, including standing room.
"The Homerdome"
The "Homerdome" is the gymnasium located in the Homer-Center High School. It opened in 1959, and has a capacity of 1,000 people, including the standing room. A new floor and bleachers were added in 2008 as a part of a multimillion dollar renovation project.
Floodway Park
Floodway Park was established in the mid-to-late 1980s after a flood-prone Homer City neighborhood was razed. The park features a playground with two softball fields, one of which is home to the high school softball team. But, this park is usually not affiliated with Homer-Center School District.
Risinger Park
Risinger Park is the site of a former district elementary school by the same name. The wood-frame building was demolished in the late 1970s to make way for a park with a basketball court, playground equipment and a youth softball field.This area is also not usually affiliated with Homer-Center School District.
FMC Sports Complex
The FMC Sports Complex features three baseball fields and four multipurpose fields (elementary soccer, elementary football practice, etc...). In the summer of 2007, the former Junior Legion field was renovated and renamed First Commonwealth Field, after Indiana-based First Commonwealth Bank, a major donor to the renovation project. The Homer-Center baseball team as well as the local Junior Legion team call the field home. This complex is also not usually affiliated with HCSD.
Combs v. Homer Ctr. Sch. Dist., 468 F. Supp. 2d 738 (W.D. Pa. 2006)
Parents who elected to home-school their children filed suit alleging that the defendant Pennsylvania school district in charge of administering and enforcing Pennsylvania’s compulsory school attendance laws infringed upon their sincerely held religious beliefs that education is a “religion,” and that the state has no authority to regulate home education programs by religiously motivated homeschoolers. The parents alleged that the state homeschooling act ceded too much control over their children’s religious education to the state in requiring them to submit an affidavit outlining their educational objectives to the defendants at the beginning of the school year and by requiring them to submit an additional log and portfolio containing samples of their children’s work for discretionary administrative review and approval. In granting the defendants’ motion for summary judgment, the federal district court held that the statute, either on its face or as applied, did not violate the First Amendment Free Exercise Clause or the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Protection Act. The state’s homeschooling requirements did not place a burden, let alone a substantial one, on the parents’ freedom to practice their religion. Any negligible impact on the free exercise of religion was outweighed by the state’s compelling interest in crafting home educationprograms to satisfy compulsory education laws and ensure that children were receiving an adequate education.
This decision was immediately appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit where lawyers for Homer-Center School District presented oral arguments against the homeschooling families in November 2007.
Breezy Lane School
Breezy Lane School is a ruralRural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
, co-ed, private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
that, although located in Homer City, it is not part of the Homer-Center School District.
This school is also known as Daryl Martin.
Average Grade Size: 5.6 students