About
The Marathon Central School District comprises the Village of Marathon, the Town of Marathon, and the surrounding townships. It is situated approximately 30 miles north of Binghamton and fifteen miles south of Cortland on Interstate Route 81. The community is primarily rural, encompassing some 102 square miles. The District has approximately 750 students, 400 in the elementary and 350 in the junior/senior high school. Approximately a quarter of the students live in the village, and the rest live up to 15 miles from school. A dedicated staff of professionals and para-professionals supports these students.
In Marathon, a stable long-term population has fostered a strong sense of community that supports programs such as the local library, local churches, and community service organizations. The community spirit has promoted a sense of commitment to the school district, which serves as a community center and a source of pride for all, including senior citizens and rural residents. There is a shared sense of the significance of local history, the importance of families, and the involvement of people of all ages in the community and the schools.
There are also many examples of community support for the schools. These include the Parent Teacher Student Association, the Booster Club (Athletic and Music), the Family Resource Center, and a volunteer parent program. An active Alumni Association is the oldest in the State. There are several service organizations within the schools. A large percentage of District staff resides in the community, and many have children who are District students or graduates. The community, conservative by nature, has always been progressive when it comes to the education of its children. The elementary school focuses on the Common Core Learning Standards and has adopted Modules and Domains for its ELA and math curriculum. The Jr.-Sr. High School provides accelerated programs, college credit through TC3, and extensive Career and Technical Education opportunities through BOCES. A flexible special education plan in both buildings allows for co-teaching and push-in and pull-out services for students. Using consultant teachers in the core areas in both buildings provides for more coordination of curriculum and services K-12. The district supports a strong professional/staff development program.
A well-developed Technology Plan guides the implementation of technology use in the classrooms. The graduation rate is consistently above 90%. Of those, non-completers must receive a certification from an approved GED program and seek employment locally. The district recognizes the need to provide staff and students access to the global community. The district's five-year strategic plan focuses on promoting a welcoming climate, teaching skills that relate to real life, supporting students' individual goals, and improving our graduation rates, students passing courses, math mastery, literacy levels, attendance rates, and state test results.
Additional district information can be found at the
New York State Department of Education.
