Norristown Area School District Designated as a Great Pennsylvania School
Norristown, PA, 17 January 2025 – Norristown Area School District was recently designated as a Great Pennsylvania School. The Great Pennsylvania Schools (GPS) designation recognizes Pennsylvania public schools that provide students with access to rigorous programming, are community-centric, demonstrate financial well-being and display resilience.
“It is with overwhelming pride and excitement that we are able to announce our designation as Great Pennsylvania Schools,” says Christopher Dormer, Superintendent of School. “This recognition celebrates the successes and accomplishments of our students, staff, families, and community that occur daily in our schools. For those that may not see those great things daily, we invite you to come see them in action and to be part of our ongoing future successes as we meet and exceed our mission to educate and inspire each and every learner.”
To receive this designation, districts must meet the criteria established in each of the four categories. Districts that provide students with academically rigorous programming must confirm that teachers are appropriately certified and that students have access to career and technical education, gifted education, advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses, and JROTC programming.
To demonstrate a district’s position as the centerpiece of the community, it must exemplify innovation in school programming, regularly celebrate the successes of students and staff, and provide academic and extracurricular offerings for the benefit of students.
The final criteria – resilience and fiscal health – measure a district’s planning efforts that ultimately lead to successful academic programming. To meet the resilience criteria, a district must implement an emergency preparedness plan and provide mental health supports to students.
A district meets the financially healthy criteria by having an elected or independent auditor conduct a financial audit annually, making the final district budget available for public review prior to adoption, and following School Code requirements for bids and quotations when purchasing goods and services.
In addition to the GPS designation and success stories from schools across the state, the campaign website also houses information about the role and responsibilities of a school board, how to run for a position on a local school board, and a collective vision for the future of public education in Pennsylvania.
The Norristown Area School District community is encouraged to learn more about the great things happening in their schools by visiting the district’s website.