Neshaminy High School

Neshaminy High School is a large public high school in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, in the United States.[3]

Neshaminy High School
Address
2001 Old Lincoln Highway

Langhorne
,
Bucks County
,
PA
19047-3240

USA
Coordinates40.1567°N 74.9450°W / 40.1567; -74.9450
Information
School typePublic high school
MottoLatin: Non Sibi Sed Scholae
Established1953 (1953)
School districtNeshaminy School District
NCES District ID4216410[1]
SuperintendentRob McGee
School codePA-122097502-6455
CEEB code392145
NCES School ID421641006455[2]
PrincipalRyan Staub
Faculty162.40 (on an FTE basis)
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,677 (2020–2021)
 • Grade 9694
 • Grade 10699
 • Grade 11655
 • Grade 12629
Student to teacher ratio16.48
Color(s)Red and Blue   
Athletics conferencePIAA
NicknameSkins
RivalPennsbury High School
AccreditationMSA
NewspaperThe Playwickian
YearbookThe Redskin
Feeder schoolsCarl Sandburg MS, Maple Point MS, Poquessing MS
Websitewww.neshaminy.org/nhs

Curriculum

AP Courses

In 2015–2016 students at this school took Advanced Placement (AP) exams in the following areas:

  • Biology
  • Calculus AB
  • Chemistry
  • English Language & Composition
  • English Literature & Composition
  • Environmental Studies
  • European History
  • French
  • Government & Politics: U.S.
  • Human Geography
  • Music Theory
  • Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
  • Physics C: Mechanics
  • Psychology
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Studio Art
  • U.S. History[4]

Test Scores and Graduation Rate

The average SAT score of Neshaminy students in 2020 is 1190 (600 math, 590 verbal). The average ACT score is 28. Neshaminy High School's average graduation rate is 93%. [5]

Extracurricular activities

Neshaminy High School offers dozens of academic, artistic, and athletic co-curricular activities including (but not limited to): Action Adventure Club, Anime Club, Art Studio, Book Club, Ceramics Club, Change It Up Club, Color Guard, Concert Choir, Dance Team, Debate Team, Diversity Pride Club, Dramatics, Environmental Action Club, Friends Helping Friends, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Problem Solvers, Interact, Jazz Band and Ensemble, Marching Band, MiniTHON, Nature Club, National Honor Society, Photography, Reading Olympics, Select Choir, Spectrum, World Language Club, and Yearbook. [6] Neshaminy athletic teams compete in fall, winter and spring sports at the 9th-grade, junior varsity and varsity levels. Neshaminy competes in the PIAA Suburban One League. [7]

Gym Night

Gym Night started in 1953 as a co-curricular athletic and artistic competition. Students divide into red and blue teams for each grade. Over two days each year, they compete in choreographed, costumed, large-group themed dance exhibitions and various athletic competitions. [8]

Howler Literary Magazine

Originally named "Expressions Literary Magazine", Howler Literary Magazine has received Pennsylvania School Press Association awards.

Playwickian

The Playwickian is the high school's award-winning newspaper. The name comes from one of the names of the Native American tribes living in the area around the Neshaminy Creek. The Playwickian has received awards from Columbia University for outstanding performance.[9] Due to being a Pennsylvania student publication, the Playwickian is subjected to and granted certain rights by Section 12.9 of the Pennsylvania Code.[10]

Sports

The school has won several athletic championships.

Neshaminy Sports PIAA State Championships
Sport Season
Girls Soccer 2013
Softball 2003
Football 2001
Wrestling 1999, 2000
Boys Soccer 1982, 1984, 1994
Field Hockey 1983, 1990
Boys Gymnastics 1986, 1988

Table Reference: Suburban One League

Soccer Team

The soccer program has four state championship titles. The Boys' program won PIAA State Championships in 1982, 1984, and 1994. The Girls' program won the title in 2013.

Football Team

The first football team was assembled in 1928 when the school was known as Langhorne-Middletown High School. Of notable success in the early years is when head coach Mike DeRisi led the team to a combined record of 14-4-2 in 1946 and 1947. The team became a traditional powerhouse when head coach Harry E. Franks took over the team from 1952 through 1959. Under the direction of Franks, the team compiled a 69-10-2 record (.792%), scored 2203 points for to 857 points against, and had undefeated seasons in 1954 and 1956. John Petercuskie took over the head coaching reins from 1960 through 1965 and led the team to a 59-1-5 record (.983%), scored 1925 points for to 410 points against, 26 shutout victories, undefeated seasons between 1960 and 1965, except 1961, with a 51-game unbeaten streak starting in 1961 and lasting until 1965. Jack Swartz coached the team from 1968 through 1972, compiling a 43-11-1 record (.796%). The 1971 team, which had an 11–0 perfect record, is widely regarded as one of the best in Pennsylvania history and by some as Pennsylvania's team of the century. In 1988, coach John Chaump took a team with an 11–0 regular-season record to the semi-finals of the first-ever Pennsylvania state playoffs (statewide). Head coach Mark Schmidt (1995–present) has continued the winning tradition with a 119–54 overall record, a regular-season record of 102–38 (since 1996), and a state playoff record of 16–6. Schmidt's resume also includes 3 conference championships (01, 05, 08), 2 conference co-championships (02, 04), 7 state playoff appearances (01-09, except 03 and 06), 3 district-one championship appearances (01, 04, 08), 2 district-one championships (01, 04), 2 eastern PA championship appearances (01, 04), 2 eastern PA championships (01, 04), 2 PA state championship appearances (01, 04), and 1 PA state championship (2001). The 2001 team compiled a perfect 15-0 overall record while running back Jamar Brittingham carried the ball for 2,575 yards (2,355 m) in 14 games played.

Neshaminy produces many players who play football at all college levels. Some of the players that have gone onto Division-I and Division I-AA from 1988 to 2008 include (Year = HS Senior Season); 1988: RB/KR Brian Moser (D-I Penn State); 1989: OL/DL Mike Frederick (D-I Virginia); 1999: RB/DB Chris Vincent (D-I Oregon); 2001: RB/DB Jamar Brittingham (D-I Rutgers / D-II Bloomsburg), DB/WR Mike Loveland (D-I Temple); 2002: DE/TE Geoff Donahue (D-IAA Towson); 2004: K Kevin Kelly (D-I Penn State), RB/DB Georg Coleman (D-I Temple), RB Chris Eccles (D-IAA Iona), OL Maurice Jones (D-IAA Robert Morris), P Brett Arnold (D-IAA UMASS); 2005: DT/OT Tom McEowen (D-I Penn State), DB/RB Jared Kinney (D-I Temple), DB/WR Jason Kinney (D-I Temple), OT/DE Chris Daino (D-IAA Delaware), WR/S Doug Rosnick (D-IAA Colgate), DE/FB Josh Auerbach (D-IAA Stony Brook), OL Marcellous Jones (D-IAA Duquesne); 2006: RB/DB Kitt Anderson (D-I Temple); 2008: TE/DE Paul Carrezola (D-I Rutgers), OL/DT Dan Shirey (D-IAA Villanova), DE/FB Jay Colbert (D-IAA New Hampshire).

A few Neshaminy players who have spent time in the NFL and the CFL include Steve Shull (Dolphins), Harry Schuh (Raiders, Rams, Packers), Bob Grupp (Chiefs), Matt Bahr (Steelers, Browns, Giants, Patriots, 49ers, Eagles), Chris Bahr (Bengals, Raiders, Chargers), Rick Eccles (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) Mike Frederick (Browns, Ravens, Titans), Jim Dumont (Browns), Chris Vincent (Lions, Cardinals), Jamar Brittingham (Falcons).

Neshaminy Football Championships[11]
Season Record Coach Neshaminy Football Championships
2018 (5-1, 8-4) Steve Wilmot Suburban One League National Conference (Co-champions)
2017 (6-0, 10-2) Steve Wilmot Suburban One League National Conference
2016 (6-0, 11-1) Steve Wilmot Suburban One League National Conference
2013 (6-1, 13-2) Mark Schmidt PIAA Class AAAA District One
2008 (7-0, 12-2) Mark Schmidt Suburban One League National Conference
2005 (7-0, 10-2) Mark Schmidt Suburban One League National Conference
2004 (6-1, 13-2) Mark Schmidt Suburban One League National Conference (Tri-champions), PIAA Class AAAA District One, PIAA Class AAAA Eastern Pennsylvania
2002 (3-1, 8-3) Mark Schmidt Suburban One League National Conference Patriot Division
2001 (5-0, 15-0) Mark Schmidt Suburban One League National Conference Patriot Division, PIAA Class AAAA District One, PIAA Class AAAA Eastern Pennsylvania, PIAA Class AAAA Pennsylvania State
1988[A] (5-0, 11-1) John Chaump Suburban One League National Conference Patriot Division, PIAA Class AAAA District One
1987 (4-1, 9-2) John Chaump Suburban One League National Conference Patriot Division (Tri-champions)
1986 (4-1, 8-3) Dick Bedesem Suburban One League National Conference Patriot Division (Co-champions)
1975 (4-1, 7-4) Paris Allison Lower Bucks County League Section One (Co-champions)
1971 (4-0, 6-0, 11-0) Jack Schwartz Lower Bucks County League Section One, Big Seven Conference
1970 (3-0-1, 9-1-1) Jack Schwartz Lower Bucks County League Section One
1969 (4-2, 7-4) Jack Schwartz Big Seven Conference (Tri-champions)
1965 (3-0, 3-0-1, 10-0-1) John Petercuskie Lower Bucks County League Section One, Big Six Conference
1964 (3-0, 3-0-1, 9-0-1) John Petercuskie Lower Bucks County League Section One, East Penn Conference (Co-champions)
1963 (3-0, 4-0, 9-0-1) John Petercuskie Lower Bucks County League Section One, East Penn Conference
1962 (3-0, 10-0-1) John Petercuskie Lower Bucks County League Section One
1961 (3-0, 11-1) John Petercuskie Lower Bucks County League Section One
1960 (8-0, 10-0-1) John Petercuskie Lower Bucks County League
1959 (8-0, 10-1) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League
1958 (6-0-1, 8-1-1) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League (Co-champions)
1957 (6-1, 7-3) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League (Co-champions)
1956 (6-0-1, 9-0-1) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League
1955 (7-0, 7-3) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League
1954 (7-0, 10-0) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League
1953 (6-1, 9-1) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League (Co-champions)
1952 (6-0, 9-1) Harry E. Franks Lower Bucks County League
1947 (3-0, 7-2-1) Mike DeRisi Lower Bucks County League
1946 (2-0, 7-2-1) Mike DeRisi Lower Bucks County League
A PIAA state playoffs began in 1988.
Neshaminy Football Rankings[12]
Neshaminy Football Massey Computer Ratings Public Schools, All Classes
SeasonCoachRecordBucks County[A]District-1[B]Pennsylvania[C]
2018Steve Wilmot8-42839
2017Steve Wilmot10-23639
2016Steve Wilmot11-11629
2015Steve Wilmot9-42726
2014Mike Frederick4-6416112
2013Mark Schmidt13-2113
2012Mark Schmidt9-44942
2011Mark Schmidt8-43626
2010Mark Schmidt12-21211
2009Mark Schmidt9-31838
2008Mark Schmidt12-21221
2007Mark Schmidt11-21319
2006Mark Schmidt6-44855
2005Mark Schmidt10-21318
2004Mark Schmidt13-2115
2003Mark Schmidt3-7618126
2002Mark Schmidt8-31749
2001Mark Schmidt15-0111
A Bucks County ratings out of 16 teams.
B District-1 ratings out of 67 teams.
C Pennsylvania ratings out of 502 teams.

Sports team name controversy
Further information: Sports teams named Redskins and Native American mascot controversy

Neshaminy High School athletic teams are known as the Redskins. In 2012, a Neshaminy parent of Native American descent started a campaign to change the name because of its racially offensive and harmful nature. The parent spoke at numerous board meetings, though Neshaminy made no progress. A complaint was filed with Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) in 2013. After a thorough investigation, the PHRC ruled against the Neshaminy school district. The PHRC ruled that Neshaminy must change the name along with other terms of adjustment, which the school administration appealed.

On October 23, 2013, the student editorial board of the high school's newspaper, the Playwickian, declared its intention to no longer reference the team with the term "Redskin" in its publications.[13] The school administration declared that the Playwickian editorial board lacked the power to decide to stop using the term "Redskins".[14] On April 2, 2014, students Jackson Haines and Emily Scott received awards from the 2014 Scholastic Keystone Press Awards contest from articles published in the Playwickian on the issue.[15] Haines would also receive a Gold Circle Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association later that year for the same article. In early July, the Pennsylvania High School Press Association awarded Journalism Teacher of the Year to Tara Huber, an adviser for the Playwickian for assisting the students on publishing publications for the Playwickian during the issue.[16]

In May 2014, a student submitted an opinion editorial containing the "Redskin" term. The Neshaminy principal demanded that the Playwickian run the piece, and threatened that the final issue would not be allowed to be distributed otherwise. The Playwickian ran its last issue of the year without the piece a few days later. Neshaminy reacted by censoring the issue, confiscating the publication, calling for an emergency meeting with co-editor Gillian McGoldrick, and restricting access to Playwickian social media and website accounts.[17][18] McGee would later defend his actions in a statement on the website for the school.[19] On June 26, 2014, the Neshaminy board allowed the Playwickian to ban the term "Redskin" in articles, but required the paper to publish editorials and letters to the editor with the term present and unedited.[20]

In 2015, the PHRC made a preliminary finding that the name Redskins is "racially derogatory" and creates a "hostile educational environment." The case then proceeded to a full commission hearing.[21] After six years of controversy, the PHRC held a hearing in January 2019.[22]

In November 2019, the PHRC ruled that Neshaminy could continue to use the name, but must cease using any imagery promoting negative stereotypes of Native Americans, and must educate its students about Native American history to prevent the use of stereotypes.[23] The school district spent over $400,000 in legal fees in its campaign to retain the Redskin nickname.[24]

Campus

Neshaminy High School consists of one main hallway, with hallways branching off of the main by department, arranging classes of similar types (such as art, math, social studies, and science) in the same region of the school. There are two gymnasiums, one at the front of the school and one at the back. Of its two theaters, the smaller black box theater is used primarily for performances by the school's drama department. The larger Theodore Kloos Auditorium in the front of the building is used by the school's music department and outside groups for performances and Neshaminy's annual musical.

Renovation

In 2003 the Neshaminy school board proposed the demolition of the current school building and construction of a new facility on current school grounds. This plan was priced at $100 million and would require the issuance of an $85 million tax funded bond. In April 2004 residents defeated the new building plan via referendum due in large part to the price.[25]

As an alternative plan, the school board decided to demolish sections of the school and rebuild them as the school year proceeded. This major renovation project was estimated to cost $72 million and would replace 95% of classroom facilities but retain some existing structures like the auditorium, gym, cafeteria, and library. Unlike the rest of the school, which has only received basic upkeep since the 1950s, these facilities have already undergone major renovation as recently as 1995. Neshaminy completed the project in September 2009.[25]

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

References
  1. "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Neshaminy Sd". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  2. "Search for Public Schools - Neshaminy HS (421641006455)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  3. "Zoning Map". Middletown Township. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  4. "Student Teacher Ratio Neshaminy High School – Langhorne, Pennsylvania – PA". Greatschools.net. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  5. "Neshaminy High School Test Scores and Academics". Niche. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  6. "Activities Overview / Co-Curricular Activities & Clubs". www.neshaminy.org. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  7. "Neshaminy | suburbanonesports.com". www.suburbanonesports.com. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  8. "Gym Night / History of Gym Night". www.neshaminy.org. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  9. http://www.neshaminy.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=4525&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=20376&PageID=778
  10. Pennsylvania Administrative Code: Student Rights and Responsibilities - Student Press Law Center
  11. http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/
  12. https://www.masseyratings.com/
  13. "Playwickian editorial explaining the decision to stop using the word "Redskin"". October 25, 2013. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  14. "High school newspaper not allowed to ban the word "Redskins": At Neshaminy (Penn.) HS, whe".
  15. "Neshaminy student newspaper, the Playwickian, wins 2014 Scholastic Keystone Press Awards". Bucks Local News. February 26, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  16. Neshaminy newspaper adviser named Pennsylvania journalism teacher of the year - Student Press Law Center
  17. Benjamin Mullin (July 10, 2014). "Student editors will fight to purge 'redskin' from their paper". Poynter. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  18. Foolish action and reaction - The Intelligencer: Editorials
  19. Principal's Office / Statement about NHS's Newspaper Internet Accounts - Neshaminy HS
  20. How student speech is protected in Neshaminy's 'R' word case - Philly.com
  21. D.E. Schlatter (May 4, 2015). "State civil rights agency finds Neshaminy's use of 'Redskins' name 'racially derogatory,' could open door for lengthy proceedings". BucksLocalNews.
  22. Kathy Boccella (January 7, 2019). "Flap over Neshaminy 'Redskins' nickname goes before a state panel". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  23. Hanna, Maddie (2019-11-25). "Neshaminy School District can keep 'Redskins' name, but must educate students to prevent stereotypes, state commission says". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  24. "Legal fees for Bucks County district to defend 'Redskins' name eclipse $400K".
  25. Zauzmer, Julie (October 19, 2007). "Education's Rising Costs". The Bulletin. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  26. Auerbach, Nicole (January 27, 2014). "Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono doesn't mind a little blood with his sweat". USA Today. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  27. Call-Chronicle, Sunday (January 29, 1984). "Abe'S Got The Answers". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  28. "Star-News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  29. "Forty years later, Neshaminy grad Len Barker's perfect game still worth celebrating". NewsBreak. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  30. Siekmann, Renate. "Bucks student and American Idol hopeful". The Centurion. The Centurion. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  31. Lockridge, Jeff. "Reports: James Franklin to be Penn State's new coach". USA TODAY. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  32. "Kevin Kelly – Yahoo! Sports". Bwi.rivals.com. October 14, 2004. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  33. "CHRIS KING". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  34. Writer
    , By Jonathan Takiff
    Daily News Staff. "Langhorne Slim comes to town". https://www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.     {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  35. "Neshaminy's Great Moments". Neshaminyfootball.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  36. Ackert, Kristie (December 7, 2016). "Proud to stand with Claire Smith as pioneer gets her Hall call". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
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