Bethlehem Area School District: About BASD

The BASD is the sixth largest school district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with an enrollment of approximately 14,000 students.
BASD's Roadmap to Educational Excellence provides a framework for educating the whole child across a wide array of subjects and extra-curricular activities.
BASD partners with many community arts, theater, healthcare, and higher education institutes to enhance learning opportunities for all students.
BASD offers a full continuum of special education programs and related services that address a broad range of students' individual needs.
BASD participates in United Way Community Schools (COMPASS).

There are 16 neighborhood elementary schools, kindergarten through grade five.
The elementary school day is from 8:55 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Children must be five years old by October 1 to enter kindergarten and six years old by October 1 to enter grade one.
Children receive instruction in art, library, vocal music, technology skills, and physical education on a weekly basis.
Reports about students' academic and social performance are issued to parents four times during the school year.
Parents can choose an elementary school outside their residential area if classroom enrollments do not exceed district guidelines and if parents provide transportation.
Child care services are available in 15 elementary schools.
For the past several years, the district has offered an early learning program for eligible prekindergarten children through PA Pre-K Counts funding.
Kindergarten is a full day program at all elementary schools.
Laptops are available for students to use in academic classes.

There are four middle schools encompassing grades six through eight.
The middle school day is from 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Middle school classes are organized by teams.
The middle school activity period offers a wide variety of experiences based upon student interest.
Each middle school offers unique curricular programs in art, family and consumer science, industrial arts, and music.
Intramural and athletic programs are offered in all four middle schools.
Reports reflecting students' academic and social performance are issued to parents four times during the school year.
Laptops are available for students to use in academic classes.

There are two high schools encompass- ing grades nine through twelve.
Liberty's and Freedom's school day is from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A full range of academic levels, includ- ing comprehensive elective programs and advanced placement courses, are available at both high schools.
Students who are admitted to the vocational-technical program attend a program consisting of one-half day at the high school and one-half day at the vo-tech school or a flex schedule.
Each high school offers a wide variety of extra- and cocurricular activities.
Laptops are available for students to use in academic classes.
The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering Program is offered as an elective course. It is about applying engineering, science, math, and technology to solve complex, open- ended problems in a real-world context.
The total credits needed to graduate are 26.0, of which 60 hours of approved community service are required.