Our School

Welcome to Otto-Eldred High School. Our students range from seventh graders to seniors, and we find that this age span makes for a fun and dynamic academic environment. Because of our small class sizes and excellent student-teacher ratios, we offer the kind of personalized educational experience that might not be possible for students attending larger high schools.

With an eye on the future, our teachers and staff cultivate an atmosphere of growth that empowers our students to learn with purpose and take ownership of their choices. We encourage you to review the mission and values that drive our actions as teachers, staff, and students

Our Values

• We believe all students can learn and succeed given appropriate standards-based curriculum and researched-based instruction.
• We believe staff and physical facilities should provide a supportive, safe, and secure environment in which to learn.
• We believe each student is unique and that the educational experience should encourage and develop creativity and innovation.
• We believe educational excellence must be supported by continuous evaluation of facilities and resources, engaging instructional practices, and effective use of technology.
• We believe education is a lifelong pursuit, and students must be equipped with the skills for success to compete and thrive in a technology-driven global society.
• We believe in dedication to excellence and high academic expectations while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
• We believe academic excellence is achieved through innovative and engaging instruction that is supported through continual and individualized professional development.
• We believe education should promote gratitude over entitlement, character development, ethical behavior, and a positive self-image leading to being responsible citizens.
• We believe effective leadership at all levels is essential to the success of our educational program.
• We believe encouragement and support of innovation, flexibility, and creativity is necessary in order to successfully adapt to change.
• We believe that the school, students, family, and community should have shared responsibility and shared decision-making in the educational process through collaboration and communication.
• We believe excellence in all areas is identifiable, measurable, achievable, and worthy of pursuit.

A Message from Our Administration

October 2025

As you all are aware, Pennsylvania is currently facing a state budget impasse. This means that the commonwealth has not yet passed a final budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, and as a result, state funding for public schools—including the Otto-Eldred School District—has been delayed.

Like all public school districts in Pennsylvania, we rely on state funding to support our instructional programs, transportation, student services, and daily operations. While we remain financially stable in the short term, a prolonged impasse can create challenges that affect our ability to plan, maintain programs, and meet obligations without disruption.

Our board of education and administrative team are closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure that we continue to prioritize student learning and safety. We have historically utilized conservative budgeting practices that will help us manage through this uncertain period for as long as possible. However, should the delay continue, the district will be forced to take on temporary debt through a line of credit to be sure we can operate.

We encourage our community to stay informed about the ongoing budget discussions in Harrisburg and to advocate for a timely resolution that ensures all Pennsylvania schools receive the funding they need to serve students effectively. Let your voice be heard in Harrisburg! Contact our elected leaders and follow their proceedings at: The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

We are grateful for your continued support, patience, and understanding as we navigate these challenges together. Our commitment to providing an excellent education for every student remains strong, regardless of the circumstances.

Matthew D. Splain

Superintendent
Otto-Eldred School District