Supporting Our Students

Established in 1983, the Millcreek Education Foundation, formerly the Millcreek Schools Foundation, was among the first in the United States to be established.

The Millcreek Education Foundation's philanthropic footprint increases with each need fulfilled for Millcreek students. Any time we can connect supporters with ways to provide education enhancing experiences to students, we are making an impact. With approximately 7,000 students, hundreds of teachers and staff - we do what we do to give things that make a difference.

MEF houses the Millcreek and McDowell High School Alumni Association, providing assistance with reunions and keeping former students connected. With tens of thousands of alumni, we are fortunate to have the support and encouragement of those who benefited from their exceptional education in Millcreek schools.

#MillcreekConnectsUs

To learn more about how to support the Millcreek Education Foundation, visit their website.

Asbury Woods aims to inspire a greater connection to the natural world by protecting, managing, and interpreting the Asbury Woods property; providing outdoor recreational opportunities; and offering environmental education experiences. The organization achieves this mission through a diverse array of educational, environmental and recreational programming for schools, community groups, families and individuals of all ages.  In addition, Asbury Woods manages and maintains 234 acres of preserved property which includes native species, old-growth forests, landscaped gardens, wetlands, boardwalk trails and dirt trails.

For decades, Millcreek Township School District students have benefited from the hands-on environmental education that Asbury Woods offers. Currently, every MTSD student K-8th grade visits Asbury Woods for a different lesson each year. These lessons align with Pennsylvania science, environment, and ecology standards, providing experiential learning that aligns with their classroom curricula. These experiences are incredibly important for increasing students’ connections to nature and their understanding of classroom science content. In the long-term, they might be inspired to pursue careers in fields such as biology or environmental science.

To learn more about Asbury Woods, visit their website.

MTSD partners with the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Center to provide critical supports to our students in a number of different ways.

• Elizabeth Lee Black School: The Barber Center operates an approved private school that specializes in meeting the needs of students with autism and intellectual disabilities. MTSD is able to utilize the approved private school as an educational opportunity for learners who  need more supports and services which are available at this highly specialized school.
• Acute Partial Hospitalization: When a short term (day) hospitalization is recommended by a physician, the Barber Center Acute program may be accessed by district students as a support to ongoing mental health and/or behavioral challenges.

MTSD has an ongoing partnership with UPMC Hamot, Erie County, the Office of Vocational and Rehabilitation Services, and St. Michaels’ Harbor to provide an immersive work place program for graduation ready students who meet eligibility requirements. To date, 95% of the students attending this program have been offered employment upon graduation. 
 

MTSD partners with Sarah Reed Children’s Center to provide critical supports to our students in a number of different ways.

• Ridgefield School: Millcreek Township School District teachers, educational assistants, and administrators partner with Sarah Reed behavior support staff and teachers to provide a full time special education program at Ridgefield School for students in need of emotional and behavioral supports.
• School based mental health and student assistance: MTSD contracts with Sarah Reed to provide counselors at all Millcreek school buildings. The Sarah Reed counselors support the student assistance programs at each building and work collaboratively with school staff to provide ongoing mental health supports to students on an individual and group basis.
• Psychiatric Consultation: MTSD benefits from ongoing/as needed case consultation by a child psychiatrist employed by Sarah Reed.
• Partial and Acute Partial Hospitalization: Sometimes physicians prescribe a short term (acute) or a long term (partial) clinical setting for students in need of mental health and behavioral supports. Both programs are located at Hamilton School. When MTSD students require these supports, Sarah Reed collaborates with us to meet the needs of our students.
• Outpatient Counseling: Sarah Reed provides opportunities for MTSD students to receive outpatient counseling at their home school if that is recommended and parents are in agreement. This is available at every school building.