The North Star School district encompasses 110 square miles and includes three elementary schools in Jennerstown, Boswell, and Kantner. Two hundred and thirty students attend Central's Title I school. School enrollment remains constant at approximately 120 students per grade level district-wide. Coal mining was king in earlier days. Now, layoffs at the local area steel mill are commonplace.
Many residents commute to other towns for jobs at the local prison and various retail enterprises.
Boswell has two federal housing projects and a number of families are on welfare. Educators selected CompassLearning technology-based courseware because it correlates with state and local curriculum standards. They feel Tomorrow's Promise provides a stimulating learning environment that actively engages students through exploration and interactive communication. Implementation Strategy Implementation strategies are teacher-based and correlate with each student's particular needs. Teachers conducted individualized diagnostics before selecting the level of instruction.