Academics

Mt. Lebanon School District is considered a state and national leader in the field of education. Each year, 93% percent of our high school graduates continue their education by enrolling in post secondary programs. This success is a product of a variety of factors including parent and community support, a motivated student body, a skilled teaching staff, solid classroom instructional practices, aligned assessments that measures growth and performance, and a well articulated curriculum.

We believe that our curriculum must be comprehensive and balanced in order to meet the needs of all students. Mt. Lebanon curriculum is research based, modeled from best practices, and aligned with state and national standards. Within each program of study, students master essential knowledge, skills, and competencies. This occurs by having students participate in a broad range of opportunities both within and outside of the classroom setting. It is imperative that students apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies to real world issues. In addition to mastering core knowledge, skills, and competencies, the District also believes it is vitally important for students to develop competencies in “21st century skills” such as those highlighted in our strategic plan. These skills include:

Communication

• Problem solving

• Critical thinking

• Working cooperatively with diverse groups

• Resolving conflicts

• Taking responsibility for one’s own learning

• Producing quality work

Parental Rights
In accordance with School Board Policy IF—Curriculum and Parental Rights and 22 Pa. Code Section 4.4 parents and guardians have the following rights: a) access to information about the curriculum including academic standards to be achieved, instructional materials, and assessment techniques; b) a process for review of instructional materials: c) the right to have their child(ren) excused from specific instruction which conflicts with their religious beliefs, upon receipt by the District of a written request from the parents or guardians; d) the right to have their child(ren) excused from the State assessments if, upon inspection of the assessments, the parents or guardians find the assessments to be in conflict with their religious belief and wish their child(ren) to be excused, upon written request to the school superintendent: e) the opportunity for involvement in the strategic planning process; f) the right to have their child(ren) excused from the any research studies or surveys conducted by entities other than the District unless prior written consent has been obtained; g) the right to review the State assessments in
the District two weeks prior to their administration (or as soon thereafter as the district receives the assessments during hours convenient to the parents and guardians; and, h) the right to have their child(ren) excused from instruction regarding the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) and other life-threatening and communicable diseases when the instruction conflicts with the parents’ or guardians’ religious beliefs or principles, upon receipt by the District of a written request for exemption.


Under Act 88, students have the right to decline to participate in education projects involving harmful or destructive use of animals (i.e.: dissection, vivisection, incubation, capture, etc.)


Please be advised that the District curriculum may include instruction or discussion of a wide array of topics including race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, familial status, language, genetic information, pregnancy, or handicap or disability, even if such instruction is not specifically identified in the published Curriculum. 


Parents/guardians who wish their child(ren) to be excused from specific instruction on these or any other topics because they conflict with their religious beliefs should notify their child(ren)’s principal in writing.