Principal's Message
I am incredibly blessed to serve as Montrose Area Jr/Sr High School Principal. It is a privilege to be entrusted with the education of our community’s youth, and I do not take that responsibility lightly. A supportive community and a strong faculty and staff are cornerstones of all great schools, and the Montrose Area School District has both. This has allowed us to move forward to even better meet the evolving needs of our students and we are excited about what the future holds. When many schools were downsizing and limiting the programs they offered, we were expanding. In the past several years we have added multiple classes, expanded our Advanced Placement curriculum and now have over 20 courses approved for Dual Enrollment with Keystone and Lackawanna Colleges. We have established a strong partnership with Project Lead the Way. Students have dozens of electives to choose from, can attend the Susquehanna County Career and Technical Center part-time, and school-to-work programs and internships are available. In terms of Learning More, we work hard to establish the opportunities and environment for our students to excel.
In addition to academic offerings, students can participate in their choice of 15 sports, a large variety of clubs and service organizations, and opportunities for musicians and artists abound. Our students’ recent accomplishments are impressive! We have produced League and District Champion teams, all-region and all-state athletes and musicians, and nationally ranked and recognized archers. Clubs like Envirothon and Future Business Leaders of America receive annual recognition, and organizations like Student Council and Key Club work in the trenches to help provide meaningful opportunities for our students, collaborate with our community, and selflessly serve others. Whether earning all-state or national recognition, or just being part of a club or team, we recognize the inherent value and life-long lessons our students gain from co-curricular activities and Doing More.
Modeling appropriate behavior, encouraging positive and meaningful interaction with others, and appreciating others’ circumstances and differences are community and school-wide areas of importance. More now than ever, practicing patience, discernment, compassion and self-regulation are critical components of functioning productively in school and society. Helping our students to Become More is tied closely to their academic efforts, co-curricular participation, school attendance and their experiences outside of school. Fostering students’ interpersonal growth, confidence, independence and regard for others around them is a shared responsibility, and one that, in the grand scheme of things, is even more important than academic accolades and team or personal accomplishments.
A meaningful education and promoting our Learn More, Do More, Be More motto requires a partnership between school, community and family, and we look forward to expanding our relationship and level of communication with families and the community. With that in mind, whether a student, parent, community member or local business or agency, don’t ever hesitate to reach out with suggestions, concerns and ideas. Encourage our students to work hard, get involved, try something new and, above all, Just Be Nice! Thank you for supporting the Montrose Area Jr/Sr High School!
Sincerely,
Eric Powers
