Curriculum

English Language Arts

• The English Language Arts courses for grades Kindergarten through Fifth Grade allow all students opportunities for continued growth in Reading, Structured Literacy, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. Instructional opportunities begin by developing early literacy skills, which are the foundation for future readers and writers. As students move through this grade band, they grow to become independent readers, writers, and critical thinkers. The courses are aligned with the PA Core Standards. They will provide students with the support to develop receptive and expressive language and employ proper English conventions, in addition, to preparing the students for their secondary experiences.

Mathematics

• The elementary mathematics program offers courses in grades Kindergarten through grade 5 which provide a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for all learners. Students experience opportunities to connect problem solving, skill building, and conceptual development to prepare them for secondary mathematical experiences and beyond. In addition to being aligned to the Common Core State Standards, these courses continue building students’ Mathematical Practices knowledge to support mathematical habits, communication skills, mechanics, and critical thinking skills.
   

Science

• The elementary science program offers courses for students in the K-5 grade band which provide a comprehensive curriculum to all learners. Students experience opportunities to investigate, experiment, and analyze as well as make connections to the world around them with the goal to prepare them for secondary science opportunities and real-life experiences. These courses continue building students’ science knowledge, communication skills, and critical thinking skills through their alignment to the STEELS Standards.

Social Studies

• The Social Studies program for grades Kindergarten through Fifth offer an inclusive curriculum for all learners. Students experience opportunities to develop their knowledge of geography, history, and economic perspectives to prepare them for secondary experiences and beyond. In addition to being aligned to the Common Core State Standards, these courses align with the ELA courses to build students’ reading and writing knowledge to support learners who are articulate, both orally and through written documents, possess effective communication skills, employ proper grammatical mechanics, as well as application of critical thinking skills.

English Language Arts

• The English Language Arts Department of McDowell High School develops student critical engagement, meaningful collaboration, and clear communication through language using diverse works of literature, current technologies, and evolving pedagogies. Students will be prepared not only for the Pennsylvania Keystone Literature Exam, but also demonstrate effective reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills necessary for success in their postsecondary lives.
   

Mathematics

• The Mathematics Department encourages mathematical discourse, argumentation, and sense making throughout their programs to allow students to explore, develop, and apply mathematical concepts and reasoning. As a whole, the department employs learning experiences for students to engage in mathematical reasoning and logic skills, problem solve utilizing a variety of methods, build math competencies through collaboration and innovation, as well as work through productive struggle opportunities to build perseverance.
   

Science

• The Science Department believes that to develop 21st century learners, students should be provided with a well-rounded base of scientific knowledge. The Science Department will promote scientific skills including collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. By combining discipline-specific content along with the inclusion of inquiry-based laboratory experiences, students will have the opportunity to develop into scientifically literate citizens and lifelong learners.

Social Studies

• The Social Studies Department supports Millcreek Township School District's Mission of preparing students reach their potential to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens by increasing their knowledge and awareness of history and the social sciences.  Our comprehensive and multileveled course offerings enkindle student curiosity and provide students with the skill set to make informed decisions and competently participate in our democracy and increasingly interdependent world.   

Health and Physical Education

• The goals for elementary physical education are to deliver a variety of movements, skills, and pedogeological curriculum based on the Pennsylvania state standards.  Students will be able to understand the basic principles of why movement is important and recognize the value of physical activity for our health benefit.  The student will be able to understand how our body can move and apply movement concepts to performance principles.
   

Music

• The Millcreek Township School District Music Department believes that the music education curriculum can provide a diverse musical experience that enhances the understanding of various cultures and promotes opportunities for life long arts participation.  Music students cultivate skills in language development, reasoning, coordination, social/emotional intelligence, personal discipline, self-confidence, and teamwork.   Additionally, music students become critical and creative thinkers, collaborators, and communicators, becoming contributing members of our school community and life-long advocates for the arts.
   

Art

• Art is a fundamental and equal part of a child’s educational experience. Students will develop an appreciation for and be an active participant in Art and explore various media. Meaningful self-expression, perseverance, and problem-solving skills are developed through the creation and exploration of Visual Art.  

Health and Physical Education

• The MTSD Physical Education Department educates minds, develops healthy student bodies, and promotes positive attitudes about lifetime physical fitness, activities, and sports skills.  During classes, students will display teamwork, peer interaction, cooperative social skills, leadership, sportsmanship, self-esteem, positive attitude, and enjoyment for fitness.  With our program, students will be energized with skills and knowledge to make conscientious lifestyle choices that impact their well-being for years to come.
   

Music

• The Millcreek Township School District Music Department believes that the music education curriculum can provide a diverse musical experience that enhances the understanding of various cultures and promotes opportunities for lifelong arts participation.  Music students cultivate skills in language development, reasoning, coordination, social/emotional intelligence, personal discipline, self-confidence, and teamwork.   Additionally, music students become critical and creative thinkers, collaborators, and communicators, becoming contributing members of our school community and life-long advocates for the arts.
   

Art

• Art education at the secondary level strives to facilitate artistic and aesthetic development of visual literacy through understanding imagery in various contexts; to enable learners to achieve social and emotional growth through reflection on social and cultural experiences in the form of technique-based art project works; to increase and improve fine motor skills, creative/innovative thinking, creative problem solving, decision making, and perseverance; all in an effort to assist students in 21st Century readiness.
   

Family Consumer Science

• Family & Consumer Sciences teaches students in grades 6-12  how to navigate common challenges and make informed decisions that adults face in their careers, home, and family lives. Our curriculum goal is to improve students’ ability to be successful in today’s world with content such as nutrition and wellness; interpersonal relationships; child development & parenting; consumer, personal & family finance; goal setting & problem solving; communication; & college & career research.  All of these skills are instrumental to an individual’s development as a successful & independent career & life manager.
   

Business, Computer and Information Technology

• Business, Computer and Information Technology Department provides students with the tools necessary to develop business, economic, and computer skills needed in today's diverse global market.  A variety of courses develop critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making, leadership, and communication skills while using realistic applications to acquire business specific skill sets.  Courses are offered to advance students' knowledge of business concepts, computer technology and software applications for real world situations and prepare students to handle specific tasks related to the industry.  Students acquire computer skills, business knowledge, and attitudes needed to understand the corporate culture and function effectively in our high-tech society.
   

Manufactoring Lab

• McDowell Manufacturing is a program developed between a collaborative partnership between the Millcreek Township School District and the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC).

  The program enables qualifying students at McDowell High School the opportunity to participate in a manufacturing enterprise that is making actual parts, delivering services and adding value as part of the supply chain for local manufacturers.
   

World Language

• German 1, 2, 3, 4
• Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   

Technology Education

• The Technology Education Departments’ goal is to provide the students of the Millcreek Township Schools with current tools, knowledge, and data necessary to enhance critical thinking, analytical decision making and information gathering to encourage academic success and personal growth as 21st century Learners. The study of Technology Education will require students to design, create, utilize, evaluate, and modify technological systems to solve problems in an academic learning environment where students can achieve at the highest level and realize their potential while preparing for further education or the workforce. The Technology Education Department believes that through the building of partnerships with local business along with providing innovative programs, students will succeed in helping to meet the needs of the future workforce. 
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Computer Science

• The Computer Science Department believes in having a foundation of reading and writing code provides students with a skill set for them to compete in a global environment and understand the technology that shapes their everyday lives.