Skip to main content

Below Average

#2533 of 2,842 schools in PA

Ambridge Area HS

High School · Ambridge Area SD

909 Duss Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003

Enrollment

693

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ambridge

#1 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#571 of 641

In district

#2 of 5

Ambridge Area SD

About Ambridge Area HS

Ambridge Area High School is a public high school located in the suburban community of Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 693 students and employs 36 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1. The academic performance of the school is rated at 3.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 9th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a state ranking of #2599 out of 2852.

While Ambridge Area High School faces challenges with its current academic standing, the school focuses on student development and continuous improvement. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 49% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is 37%. These scores indicate areas where the school can work to enhance educational outcomes for its diverse group of learners.

Set against a backdrop of a large suburban area, Ambridge Area High School serves as an integral part of the community, offering a range of programs and opportunities that cater to the needs of local families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg0 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,347

Ambridge Area HS — Students at Ambridge Area HS score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.5%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 49.1%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
18.4%
ELA
55.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Ambridge Area HS Compares

See how Ambridge Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
11th percentile in PA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

909 Duss Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ambridge Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Quaker Valley HS (rated 7.6/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Leetsdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hopewell SHS (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Aliquippa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aliquippa JSHS (rated 5.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Aliquippa), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ambridge, see our Ambridge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland El Sch Ambridge 0.6 mi 2.9
Hopewell SHS Aliquippa 1.4 mi 7.4
WATSON INSTITUTE Sewickley 1.7 mi 6.9
OUR LADY OF FATIMA SCHOOL Aliquippa 1.7 mi 6.2
THE HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Aliquippa 2.0 mi
Margaret Ross El Sch Aliquippa 1.8 mi 8.6
Hopewell JHS Aliquippa 1.9 mi 4.6
Aliquippa JSHS Aliquippa 2.1 mi 5.7
State Street El Sch Baden 2.6 mi 3.0
Quaker Valley HS Leetsdale 2.5 mi 7.6
Bon Meade El Sch Moon Township 3.3 mi 4.2
MONTESSORI SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEARNING Moon Township 3.3 mi
Aliquippa El Sch Aliquippa 3.0 mi 4.6
Hopewell El Sch Aliquippa 3.0 mi 3.2
Edgeworth El Sch Sewickley 3.5 mi 9.2
Baden Academy CS Baden 4.0 mi 3.8
SEWICKLEY ACADEMY Sewickley 3.8 mi 5.0
J.A. Allard El Sch Moon Township 4.3 mi 8.7
NOAH'S ARK PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN Sewickley 4.3 mi
ST JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sewickley 4.4 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,943

Median Home Value

$119,000

Median Rent

$886/mo

Population

11,394

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ambridge Area HS has a median household income of $57,943. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,000, with a median rent of $886/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Freire CS Philadelphia, PA 4.4
LANSDALE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lansdale, PA 4.4
Carbondale Area JSHS Carbondale, PA 4.5
Carlynton JSHS Carnegie, PA 4.5
Catasauqua SHS Northampton, PA 4.5
Chestnut Ridge SHS New Paris, PA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ambridge Area HS

What grades does Ambridge Area HS serve?

Ambridge Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ambridge Area HS?

Ambridge Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 693 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ambridge Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Ambridge Area HS is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ambridge Area HS rank in PA?

Ambridge Area HS is ranked #2533 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Ambridge Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Ambridge Area HS has a composite rating of 4.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ambridge Area HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ambridge Area HS has 37.5% math proficiency and 49.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ambridge Area HS a charter school?

No, Ambridge Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ambridge Area HS a Title I school?

No, Ambridge Area HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ambridge Area HS?

100.0% of students at Ambridge Area HS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,686/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ambridge). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Beaver County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ambridge Area SD
District Enrollment
2,198
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,071
District Rank
#2 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.