Commonwealth University Partnership Information Night

On 2 November 2022, Bloomsburg Area School District and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania worked together to provide dinner and information regarding our new scholarship agreements. Dr. Hanna and team members from financial aid and admissions were in attendance to explain and answer questions from Bloomsburg High School juniors and seniors. We even had several seniors apply and get accepted that night! We look forward to our growing our partnership with Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania for years to come! 

Admissions Director Chris Lapos shares with students and their families the cost savings our new scholarship opportunities affords them. 

Dr. Bashar Hanna explains the many opportunities Bloomsburg High School students will have through Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.

Agreement Guaranteeing Admission and up to $28,000 in Scholarships Signed Between Bloomsburg Area School District and CommonwealthU

BLOOMSBURG, PA (09/22/2022) Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield, together as Commonwealth University and the Bloomsburg Area School District (BASD), have signed an agreement guaranteeing admission, eligibility for merit-based scholarships, and on-campus housing at any of its locations.

The agreement guarantees admission for BASD graduates who enroll in a bachelor's degree program and who meet the following criteria:

Apply for admission to any location within Commonwealth University no later than December 15 of the student's senior year.

Graduate from Bloomsburg Area School District.

Bloomsburg Area School District graduates would be eligible for four tiers of academic merit scholarships according to the following academic preparedness of the student applicant:

Tier 1 - 95% or above cumulative GPA at BASD - $28,000; $7,000 annually

Tier 2 - 90-94% cumulative GPA at BASD - $24,000; $6,000 annually

Tier 3 - 85-89% cumulative GPA at BASD - $16,000; $4,000 annually

Tier 4 - 80-84% cumulative GPA at BASD - $12,000; $3,000 annually

BASD scholarship recipients must remain enrolled full-time at Commonwealth University for a minimum of 12 credits per academic semester and maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 to remain in good academic standing and therefore eligible for the scholarship.

The scholarship is renewable for up to four (4) academic years, or eight (8) consecutive fall and spring academic semesters, if the criteria above are met.

On-campus housing at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Mansfield campuses, will be guaranteed for up to four (4) years of full-time student enrollment.

Nursing, physician assistant, and other health professions programs remain selective and have additional requirements or capacities. For these programs, it is vital that students apply as early as possible to these majors to receive early consideration for admission.

"Our region is fortunate to have high school students who are academically talented and will thrive as Huskies, Bald Eagles, and Mounties," said Bashar W. Hanna, CommonwealthU president.

"This agreement assures students from the Bloomsburg Area School District who work hard and display a spirit and resolve to complete a college degree have the opportunity to attend our institution at an affordable cost. Student success is at the heart of what we do, and why our mission to prepare students for their future careers results in 99% of our graduates employed or in graduate programs within a year of graduation. With more access to academic programs, professional experiences, internships, and uncommon experiences, these students have opportunities far and above what any one location could offer independently. This partnership harnesses the 'Power of Three' for our students, their families, and our community."

Jonathan Cleaver, superintendent of the Bloomsburg Area School District, knows this agreement, as a continuation of the partnership with Bloomsburg, has greatly benefitted the district's students.

"The students of the Bloomsburg Area School District and their families are the beneficiaries of this agreement. If they perform to their highest level of academic achievement during their four years at Bloomsburg High School they will have access to our region's academic powerhouse, Commonwealth University" said Cleaver.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Diana Rogers-Adkinson spoke of how this will benefit both the students and employers in the region.

"This agreement will benefit the students we serve, including the portion who are first-generation students," Rogers-Adkinson said. "Many Bloomsburg Area School District students already take advantage of our Advance College Experience (ACE) program, which allows them to earn college credit while still in high school. Now it will be even easier and more affordable for them to continue their studies at one of our Commonwealth U locations to earn their degree."

"In addition, this agreement will benefit workforce development in our region and beyond," Rogers-Adkinson said. "Keeping our best and brightest in our region will strengthen our communities for years to come."

Currently, nine BASD junior and senior high schoolers are enrolled in the Advance College Experience (ACE) dual enrollment program, earning valuable college credits at Bloomsburg. Over the last three years, 27 BASD students have participated in the program.

According to Tom Fletcher, Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Partnerships, "This agreement further solidifies the great working relationship we have with our local school districts, including the Bloomsburg Area School District. And now with our Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Clearfield locations, Commonwealth University offers even more benefits for students and their families. It's a powerful combination."

Shown in photo:

Seated: Left to Right: Dr. Bashar Hanna, President; and Mr. Jonathan J. Cleaver, Superintendent, Bloomsburg Area School District

Standing: Left to Right: Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, Senior Vice President and Provost; Mr. Jerome Manley, Bloomsburg High School Principal; Mrs. Heaven Reinard, Middle School Principal; Mr. Jason Moser, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Grant Writing

Comprehensive Plan

The 2021-2024 Bloomsburg Area School District Comprehensive Plan is available for public view here.

ARP ESSR Plan

In accordance with the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSR), the Bloomsburg Area School District presents publicly our Local Education Association's plan for the use of ARP ESSR funds here.

New Traffic Pattern and Designated Parking at Secondary Complex

In order to improve the flow and safety of daily drop off and pick up at the Bloomsburg Area Secondary Complex, we will be adopting a new parking and traffic plan below for 2022-2023:

• All buses will drop off and pick up students on Railroad Street.  No drop offs or pick ups may occur on Railroad Street during drop off/pick up times.
• All parent drop off/pick up will take place at the Enhanced Learning Center (ELC) entrance in the back parking lot. During drop off/pick up times, families are to follow the red traffic pattern from West 11^th Street to Fort McClure Boulevard between 7:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Students are to be promptly dropped off and picked up on the driver side along the sidewalk in front of the ELC. We ask that families use their flashers on during drop off/pick up.
• Speed limit through the back lot is 10 miles per hour.
• Student drivers will be provided with a designated parking permit. Students may enter through Fort McClure Boulevard entrance. Students will be provided with permit applications during the first week of school. This will go into effect the week of September 6^th.
• Staff will have designated parking areas as indicated on the map.
• The central office parking lot is for visitors/appointment pick up and drop offs only. No students or staff may park there.
• Students arriving after 8:10 a.m. due to co-op or early college are to check in at the central office. They will then park in the student lot and be escorted in at the ELC entrance.

We appreciate your help and patience as we implement this change.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!

For a map of the secondary complex traffic flow and designated parking areas, please click here.

PSSA Scores for 2021-2022

At the 8 August 2022 school board work session, data regarding the district's 2021-2022 PSSA scores was shared.  That presentation can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

PSSA Scores Presentation - 8 August 2022