West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

West Chillisquaque Township is a township in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,846 at the 2000 census.

History
The Rishel Covered Bridge, Col. James Cameron House, and Sodom Schoolhouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 13.9 square miles (35.9 km²), of which, 12.9 square miles (33.5 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²) of it (6.64%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,846 people, 1,211 households, and 830 families residing in the township. The population density was 220.1 people per square mile (85.0/km²). There were 1,284 housing units at an average density of 99.3/sq mi (38.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.28% White, 0.56% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.

There were 1,211 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the township the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $35,104, and the median income for a family was $40,700. Males had a median income of $27,813 versus $20,977 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,290. About 6.2% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education


The local public school system is the Milton Area School District. It serves just over 2000 students. Enrollment is projected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to decline significantly over the next ten years. In 2005, Standard & Poors reported the district's student teacher ratio was 13.9 to 1.

Milton High School has an 89.9% graduation rate according to the district report card 2005-2006. In 11th grade, 49.4% were proficient in math. For reading 63.2% were proficient in 2005-2006. The high school is ranked 374th out of 606 public high schools in Pennsylvania.

In 2007, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the district 356th out of 499 Pennsylvania school districts based on three years of Pennsylvania System of Student Assessment test scores.

The Montandon Elementary School earned a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award for outstanding performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment for 2005. The students scored 97.7% proficient or better in mathematics and 72.4% proficient in reading.

The Milton Area School Board set the budget at $24.8 million for 2007-2008. The board levies a variety of taxes to support its programs. Taxes include 48.39 mills real estate tax in 2007 for district properties located in Northumberland County. For properties located in White Deer Township, Union County the real estate property tax was set at 10.10 mills.

Voters rejected a tax referendum in May 2007. The proposal increased local earned income tax to reduce property taxes for primary homeowners and farmers.

By law, the local public school must provide transportation to schools within 10 miles of the borders of the school district at no charge to the student.

Several alternative schools, including parochial and charter, are available in the region.

Sunbury Christian Academy 135 Spruce Hollow Road, Northumberland, PA 17857. (570) 473 - 7592 An ASCI member school preK to 12th grade.

Northumberland Christian School 351 Fifth Street Northumberland, PA 17857 570-473-9786. NCS was founded in 1972 and is a ministry of the First Regular Baptist Church of Northumberland, Pa. The school offers a full educational program for students from preschool through high school.

SusQ-Cyber Charter School provides students in grades 9-12 with an electronically delivered accredited high school curriculum. Met AYP

Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School provides a structured yet flexible, interactive environment in a program for Kindergarten through 10th grade. The rigorous instruction, high standards, informed guidance, and individual attention provide each student with the opportunity to be highly successful. Teachers interact with students via email. Additionally the Elluminate classroom gives the student access to their teachers during the teacher’s office hours to ask questions related to content of a subject. "An independent audit of cyber-charter schools by KPMG Consulting, which was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, praised PAVCS for offering a well-researched program and an appropriate assessment plan."

Commonwealth Connections Academy provides a form of public school that students attend from home. This unique program combines strong parental involvement, the expertise and accountability of publicly funded education, and the flexibility of online classes. Teachers are all certified. Centered on meeting students needs and goals. Has a K-11 program. This cyber charter school is authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students are required to take all state mandated, standardized tests in person at locations designated by the school.

21st Century Cyber Charter School is a state accredited, diploma granting school serving Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12. Modifications are made to suit individual student learning styles, varying academic levels and scheduling needs. Most classes are offered in honors, college prep, and career paths. All of the classes are designed to prepare the student for standardized tests such as the PSSAs. Several methods of instruction are used including traditional paper textbooks, online textbooks and virtual classrooms where students interact with teachers and peers. A specialized program meets the individual needs of gifted students permitting them to escape the constraints of the local education entities.

Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation - CPDLF K - 12 program.

The Pennsylvania Distance & Electronic Learning Academy (PDELA) offers a complete K-12 academic program to assist families that want to educate their children at home.

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School provides a free and appropriate course of study to the children of Pennsylvania families. Parents of cyber school students do not pay tuition. The public school district where the student resides pays tuition with state and local tax money through a state formula.

Notable People

 * Herbert Wesley Cummings (1873–1956), lawyer and politician