Northbridge School is an alternative path for North Penn School District students who could benefit academically from a smaller school setting and specialized instruction aimed at helping students meet yearly academic requirements and make up lost credits. The school is not meant to be a permanent home school for students, but a semester to year-based intervention program to improve academic performance on each student’s journey to receiving a North Penn High School Diploma.

The school uses an instructional model that is focused on individual pathways to learning including a robust computer-based model for curriculum, instruction and assessment in multiple content areas.

What is

2374 North Penn Road Hatfield, PA 19440

(215) 412-4009 www.npenn.org

The Northbridge School Mission The mission of Northbridge School is to embrace the diversity of students’ social, emotional, physical, and academic needs while utilizing innovative strategies that foster responsibility, self-motivation and self-monitoring in a safe, supportive and small learning environment.

Staff As a staff, Northbridge believes that the parents and guardians of the students are pivotal to student success. Parents and guardians are ALWAYS welcome, with the goal of including them as often as possible in the program’s plans and activities.

Special Education Christopher Cuiffitelli

Social Studies William Jackson

Science Cynthia Taranto

Art/Reading Marcia Lucas

Technology Education Scott Thompson

Security Officer Walt Stachelek

Classroom Assistants Alan Binswanger

Principal Kyle A. Hassler

Principal’s Secretary Carol J. Hemmerle

Guidance Counselor Martin Pennabaker

Health/Physical Education Scott Kuhn

Reading Marcia Lucas

English Carrie Dixon

Mathematics Randy Mitchell

www.npenn.org Produced by the Office of School & Community Engagement

Northbridge School 

NORTHBRIDGE SCHOOL North Penn School District 

Northbridge provides an educational atmosphere of hope, the skills

necessary to be productive and an opportunity to succeed.

Welcome to the

Northbridge? 

Which students are a good fit for Northbridge? 

When students are proficient in reading, it translates into success into all subject areas. Northbridge uses the software program Read 180, and other appropriate reading curriculum, to ensure students are reading at the appropriate level to succeed in life and in school. This program focuses on determining students’ strengths and needs in reading skills and developing individual pathways for reading success. Targeted improvement for reading will be one to two grade levels above current reading levels.

In improving reading levels, Northbridge students work on an individual basis. Similar to math, the program is based on content mastery and not age grouping. Students will receive two periods of reading per day, when needed, which results in an opportunity to earn two reading credits.

Northbridge? 

Northbridge operates during the normal school hours of 7:45 a.m. to 2:05 p.m., and follows the North Penn School District school calendar. Students arrive at school and return home each day via school district transportation. As part of NPSD, Northbridge is dedicated to meeting the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students. At Northbridge, it is simply done in an atmosphere of additional support.

What is a typical day at

Northbridge? 

At each school the Child Study Team, which consists of NPSD personnel based on the student’s age and whether he or she has an IEP, will meet and make the recommendation. Each student’s situation is managed individually and decisions are made in the student’s best interest.

Welcome to the Northbridge School  Academics 

Mathema cs: 

Northbridge prides itself in having a dedicated staff ready to teach and support the needs of all students who enter the program. Northbridge is recommended for students who have failed one or more core courses and could benefit from a smaller more supportive environment.

Reading: 

Northbridge School is dedicated to help students master math and pass the Algebra I Keystone Exam. Students participate in a mix of self-guided instruction using tutorials, assessments and small group and/or individualized instruction from teachers. The program is based on content mastery, not age grouping. Depending on level of academic proficiency, some students will receive two math classes per day, when needed, which results in an opportunity to earn two math credits.

English Language Arts At Northbridge an integrated approach to English Language Arts is used that is aligned to Common Core Standards that supports success in the related Keystone Exam. Courses use a thematic, integrated instructional approach to English Language Arts, in which students’ skills in reading, writing, and speaking are emphasized. Literature is taken from American, World, Multi-Cultural and Contemporary Literature selections.

Other Curricular & Co‐Curricular Areas Northbridge students participate in a well-rounded education that also includes social studies, science, technology education, art, career development and physical education. Enriching field trips are offered each year and have included trips to rock gyms, guitar factories and museums. The North Penn High School graduation project is embedded into the 11th grade curriculum and interested students may take courses at North Montco Technical Career Center.

How has changed?

Northbridge 

Each student receives an individual success plan that includes their social, emotional and academic profile. This profile is used to create a blended learning environment that supports successes on Keystone Exams as well as requirements for graduation

What is a education?

Northbridge 

The hallmark of a Northbridge education is the opportunity for students to participate in a small school setting where their individual academic, social and emotional needs are targeted and supported. In addition to the opportunity to earn an additional credit in the core areas, as well as physical education, students can acquire the necessary credits to graduate with their class. Individualized instruction and interventions are provided with a “guide on the side” approach to teaching.

How is a student recommended for