Montoursville Area High School's Page

Montoursville Area High School is located in Montoursville, a small community in Lycoming County, on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in north central Pennsylvania. Approximately 750 students attend the high school in grades 9-12.

As a PennCORD Pilot School since 2008, the curriculum and programs of the Social Studies Department at Montoursville Area High School seek to promote in all students the habits of effective citizenship. Referred to as the Otstonwakin Academy, in honor of the Indian village that once occupied the area, the Social Studies Department at Montoursville encourages all students to become knowledgeable of governmental processes, American and world cultures, and economics; to be aware of and prepared to discuss current events; to be committed to academic scholarship; to participate in school and community activities; and to develop an appreciation for local history.

In addition to four required courses - U.S. Cultures I, U.S. Cultures II, World Cultures, and Contemporary Social Science - the Otstonwakin Academy offers the following electives - Multicultural Studies, Advanced Placement U.S. History, Law, Advanced Contemporary Social Science, Advanced Placement Economics, Psychology, and Academic Decathlon. Additionally, as part of the curriculum students participate in a ninth grade trip to the State Capitol and Civil War Museum, and a twelfth grade trip to the Constitution Center and Independence Hall. Students taking Contemporary Social Science participate in the We the People program sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, students taking the Law course participate in the Mock Trial Competition, and students taking the Academic Decathlon course participate in the Academic Decathlon Competition. Additionally, all students are strongly encouraged to attend the Memorial Day service inMontoursville sponsored by American Legion Post 104.

The seven members of the Department also serve as advisers to the following activities: the Social Science Seminar, during which interested students gather during Activities Period to discuss op-ed articles; the History Club, which sponsors two trips a year to regional cultural centers such as New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., as well as periodic after school visits to local historical sites; the Key Club, which offers students a variety of opportunities for community service; Student Government; and, the Otstonwakin Scholars Chapter of Rho Kappa, a Social Studies Honor Society sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of the Social Studies, as well as the Montoursville Chapter of the National Honor Society. Department members also coach football, wrestling, and swimming.

As an example of the Otstonwakin Academy's efforts to promote civic education, visit the wiki created to record student learning that resulted from the twelfth grade field trip to the Constitution Center and Independence Hall. After viewing the Assignment page, click on the Civic Knowledge or Public Action links to read student responses.

Montoursville Area School District is deeply grateful to PennCORD for its financial support for the Otstonwakin Academy's efforts to promote civic education. Should you have any questions about the programs of the Otstonwakin Academy, please do not hesitate to contact Bruce Buckle, Department Chairperson, at bbuckle@montoursville.k12.pa.us.