East Penn School District is noted for its academic excellence as measured by post-graduate collegiate admissions. As of the Class of 2011, 55% of Emmaus High School graduates attended four-year colleges or universities, 24% attended two-year colleges and 3% entered business, nursing or technical schools, for a total of 82% pursuing higher education following graduation. East Penn School District has one of the most developed advanced placement programs in eastern Pennsylvania; it offers 19 advanced placement courses and 23 honors courses. Emmaus High School has won more Scholastic Scrimmage championships than any Lehigh Valley high school in the history of this popular academic quiz show.
Athletics
Emmaus High School competes athletically in the East Penn Conference, which has produced numerous professional and Olympic athletes. Emmaus High School fields teams in all of the conference's sports. Since the school's founding in 1955, it has won the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference at least once in each of the conference's sports. Emmaus High School is second in overall Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championships, behind only Parkland High School. By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school, or homeschool, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.
Willow Lane Elementary School - feeds into Eyer Middle School
Future development
On March 27, 2006, the East Penn School District board issued a strategic growth plan to meet the district's rapid growth in its student population. Since the report was published, another elementary school was built - Willow Lane Elementary. Plans for additional schools have not yet been made.
2002 "fat letter" controversy
In March 2002, East Penn School District received national media attention for its attempts to battleobesity. Articles appeared in hundreds of newspapers and television channels, and the effort was the subject of numerous political cartoons. These articles were in response to East Penn School District's "fat letter" program, which began in November 2001. At the time, obesity was becoming a growing national health concern, especially due to its increasing prevalence in children. As a result, the school district measured each student's body mass index. Letters were mailed to the parents of students who were found to be overweight or obese. The letters described the effects that being overweight can have on health, and requested that parents consult a family doctor or attend a free health session. Many parents were offended by the letters' approach and language. Some parents said that the school was merely pointing blame without taking action. Partly as a result of this criticism, Emmaus High School removed soda and candy machines, and replaced the cafeteria's whole milk with skim and non-fat milk. It continued its BMI program and letters, and the school district has since seen a 2.86 percent drop in obesity levels.
"Hit list" incident at Eyer Middle School
In early 2007, an unidentified student of Eyer Middle School was caught in class writing names of students on a "hit list". Another copy was later found possessed by a second student, who was also involved in developing the list. The list contained the names of fourteen students and four teachers. Both students were suspended, but they were not charged with any crime after an investigation.
2018 bullet incident at Eyer Middle School
In June 2018, an unknown student found a bullet near the school's auditorium, where 2 assemblies were planned that day. State police were dispatched to the school and students were sent home early.
