Plum Borough curriculum is rooted in Pennsylvania developed content standards designed to encourage the highest achievement of every student. Standards define the concepts, competencies, and knowledge that students should acquire at each grade or course level. Each curriculum begins with Pennsylvania requirements and incorporates components of national organization recommendations for enrichment, individualization, and rigor. National organizations include: National Council of Teachers of English, National Council of teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers Association, National Council for the Social Sciences, International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, Common Core Standards, et cetera. Our professional staff regularly reviews our local curricula to adjust for revisions made at the State and National level.

Plum Borough School District’s Shared Values

• Every child has a right to a quality education in a safe, disciplined, student-centered environment.
• Students will become life-long learners and productive, responsible citizens.
• Partnerships must be formed with stakeholders to create educational opportunities.
• All children can learn and can develop their talents.

Elementary (K-6)
The curriculum is designed to provide students with opportunities to achieve academic success and to meet the needs of all students in compliance with State regulations. All students receive instruction in literacy skills (reading, spelling, language, and writing skills), mathematics, social studies, science, and health. Students from kindergarten through grade six receive weekly instruction in physical education, art, music, computers and library skills.

Junior High (7-8)
 A.E. Oblock Junior High provides a climate that promotes the well-being of the individual, positive exchange between students and teachers, and development of values consistent with ethical behavior. The curriculum, course design and offerings, and instruction ensure students are afforded a liberal arts experience to cultivate individual interests and talents.

The faculty and administration impress upon students the necessity for active participation in a democratic society as self-reliant, contributing members, and provide the basic skills to serve intellectual, vocational, and vocational needs relative to their roles within an ever-changing society.

Students are recognized as having individual needs and are guided in seeking full realization of their potential. We recognize the need to educate, identify and intervene to provide for the needs of at-risk students. We provide personnel and facilities to develop a healthy environment, to stimulate exposure in a variety of academic, cultural, and social areas, to provide experiences in the decision-making processes, and to encourage utilization of community resources. We endeavor to prepare students to recognize their capabilities, to strengthen their weaknesses, and to provide standards by which they can assess their own worth. The community, administration, faculty, parents, and students will join in a partnership sharing resources, responsibility, and accountability in the pursuit of educational excellence.

High School (Grades 9-12)
Plum Senior High School offers a comprehensive curriculum, which provides students the capability to individualize schedules to best prepare for post-secondary aspirations. Parents are encouraged to communicate with both teachers and counselors during the scheduling process and throughout the school year.

Ranging from workforce ready to advanced college preparatory, various levels of program planning are created for each student. Students are encouraged to enroll in classes that provide academic rigor in order to best prepare for post-secondary aspirations. Students may enroll in classes of various levels depending on individual need, ability, and interest.

The content and competency levels of academic classes are designed to prepare students for post-secondary educational experiences. Because entrance requirements vary among post-secondary institutions, it is recommended that students select courses that demonstrate a marketable academic aptitude for potential acceptance to the post-secondary institution of each student’s choosing. Honors and Advanced Placement classes provide high levels of academic rigor for students with an interest and/or ability in contents beyond the regular academic level. AP classes are nationally recognized curricula, offering students the opportunity to earn college credit and/or recognition while attending high school.