CSD offers project-based learning (PBL) from grades 7-12. PBL is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to authentic and complex questions and challenges. PBL students take initiative and responsibility, build confidence, solve problems, work in teams, communicate ideas, and manage themselves more effectively. By bringing authentic expectations and experiences into the

classroom students develop skills through direct practice and application.

CSD POINTS OF PRIDEOUR MISSION: Drawing on its cultural richness, creativity, and tradition of scholastic excellence, the Cheltenham School District strives to nurture each child through a wealth of academic endeavors and community partnerships that provide the skills and vision needed to lead a productive and meaningful life beyond our classroom walls.

Cheltenham High School offers more than 30 advanced placement (AP) courses in Art, English, History & Social Sciences, STEM and World Language & Culture. Most recently, almost 350 students took more than 700 AP tests with 72 percent recording a score of “3” or higher. The high school also offers 29 honors courses across a broad array of subject matter.

About 85 percent of Cheltenham High School students continue onto higher education. Cheltenham students attend colleges across the country, from California to Texas, and Hawaii to Washington, D.C. Of those students, 61 percent matriculate at a four-year institution of higher education and 24 percent attend two-year colleges. The remaining 15 percent enlist in the military, participate in a gap year or are employed full time.

As an option for rising juniors and seniors, Cheltenham offers dual enrollment at several institutions, brick and mortar and online, including Arcadia University, Penn State Abington, Manor College, Montgomery County Community College, Gratz College and Marshall University (online). Courses are offered at a discounted rate. Benefits include savings on future college costs, experiencing college life, exploring college courses in areas of interest, earning transferable credits when you attend college, and strengtheninh a college application.

Educational equity is a commitment to ensure students receive what they need to be successful. The Cheltenham School District believes it is unacceptable that many educational outcomes are overwhelmingly predictable based on students’ race, socioeconomics, ethnicity or learning differences. All students, regardless of background or identity, must be given meaningful and engaging learning opportunities and allowed to thrive. In September 2020, the district cemented this position by becoming one of

Pennsylvania’s first school districts to adopt an equity policy. The district partnered with the University of Pennsylvania’s Coalition for Educational Equity and Pennsylvania School Boards Association throughout the process. Cheltenham’s future success depends on its willingness, commitment and ability to address equity challenges, and will dismantle institutional barriers by adopting policies and practices and strategically allocating resources to support access and opportunity for all.

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CSD believes restorative practices are essential to student development. Such practices afford students opportunities to learn from their mistakes, correct any harm that results from their behavior, and restore relationships their conduct disrupted. The district has invested in positive psychology training for teachers to build student strengths amd focus on their wellbeing. A continuum of instructional strategies and disciplinary responses support teaching and learning, foster positive behavior, and reflect a restorative philosophy. CSD’s focus on mindfulness encourages students to regulate their emotions and focus on the present. Through the implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), students learn appropriate core values and behavioral norms.

CSD offers a range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), computer science, and makerspace opportunities for grades K-12. K-6 schools have a makerspace to engage students in exploration, inquiry and creativity. Students can problem solve through coding and robotics, 2-D design and 3-D printing. CBK houses a graphic arts studio and STEM lab where students utilize the engineering design process to develop authentic and tangible artifacts such as computer code, digital art, and 2-D and 3-D modeling using the latest technology. CHS builds on

the K-8 computer science offerings with courses like Programming, Game Design, Cybersecurity, AP computer science, among others. CHS has developed an engineering program with courses in computer aided design (CAD), Robotics, Engineering and Production, Structural Design and Testing, and Graphic Arts and Entrepreneurship, among others.

In collaboration with Dr. Andy Fishman of Strategic Literacy Partners, CSD developed a K-8 writing curriculum aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards. Students focus on what it means to be a writer, characteristics

of specific modes of writing, and how to connect with varying audiences. The units examine experienced-based informational, research-based informational, narrative, and argumentative/opinion writing. Some essential questions for the unit of studies include Why do writers write? What’s a writer’s focus? How does a writer develop content? How does a writer introduce and conclude a piece of writing? How does style create a writer’s voice and tone? What is the range of writers’ goals and writing experiences?

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Cheltenham High School offers more than 50 clubs and activities across academics and scholastic pursuits, cultural awareness and

service, art and music, student government and leadership, student publications, and physical endeavors, including Black Scholars, DECA, Panther Partners, National Honor Society, Mindfulness Club, Environmental Club, Unified Sports, Marching Band, Touring Ensemble (pictured), and Blue & Gold. CHS fields 23 interscholastic teams competing in the Suburban One League, including boys and girls soccer, tennis, cross country, basketball, swimming and diving, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball, girls softball, field hockey and lacrosse, wrestling and competitive cheer (boys and girls) and baseball and football.

Cedarbrook Middle School offers football, baseball, wrestling (boys), softball, field hockey, volleyball (girls), and boys and girls soccer, basketball, tennis, lacrosse and track and field. Clubs include Future Problem Solvers (pictured), Hip Hop Club, CultureCrew, Project Lit, 24 Game, chorus, student government, and student newspaper.

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As the district’s greatest point of pride, Cheltenham students take every opportunity to voice their opinion, bring attention to injustice and work to make their world a better place. From working with administration to develop climate change-related curriculum across the grades, to posing thoughtful, timely questions to legislators, and from tackling weighty societal issues in performances to making plastic bag sleeping mats for the homeless, Cheltenham students are progressive and driven to press for change and challenge long-held narratives. The district encourages such behavior and makes great efforts to position its students to be agents of change when they graduate.

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