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#1981 of 2,842 schools in PA

Belle Vernon Area HS

High School · Belle Vernon Area SD

425 Crest Ave, Belle Vernon, PA 15012

Enrollment

749

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Belle Vernon

#4 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#416 of 641

In district

#4 of 4

Belle Vernon Area SD

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Belle Vernon Area HS

Belle Vernon Area High School serves grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 749 students in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, located in Westmoreland County on the fringe of an urban area. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Belle Vernon Area HS ranks in the 59th percentile statewide, placing it at #1,183 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools.

The school's academic performance shows particular strength in English Language Arts and Reading, where 74% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 53% of students meeting proficiency standards. Overall, the school holds a MySchoolScout academic score of 8.1/10.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1/10, Belle Vernon Area HS reflects a school serving a diverse student population in a transitional community setting. The school's location on the fringe of an urban area places it in a position to draw students from both town and surrounding areas.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+33.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,455

Belle Vernon Area HS — Students at Belle Vernon Area HS score 67% 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

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 74.4%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 5 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
67%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
2024
Math
33.9%
ELA
71.7%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Belle Vernon Area HS Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in PA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

425 Crest Ave, Belle Vernon, PA 15012

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Belle Vernon Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elizabeth Forward SHS (rated 6.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Elizabeth), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Monessen SHS (rated 6.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Monessen), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Frazier HS (rated 5.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Perryopolis), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Belle Vernon, see our Belle Vernon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Rostraver El Sch Belle Vernon 0.2 mi 7.9
West Newton El Sch West Newton 3.3 mi 9.3
ST SEBASTIAN REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Belle Vernon 3.8 mi 6.4
Marion El Sch Belle Vernon 4.4 mi 6.2
Monessen SHS Monessen 3.8 mi 6.0
Monessen MS Monessen 3.8 mi 5.7
Belle Vernon Area MS Belle Vernon 4.5 mi 6.4
Monessen El Ctr Monessen 4.1 mi 5.3
THE CHURCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sutersville 5.4 mi
Elizabeth Forward SHS Elizabeth 5.7 mi 6.3
Mon Valley Career and Technology Center Charleroi 5.4 mi
Ringgold El Sch South Monongahela 4.9 mi 4.5
William Penn El Sch Monongahela 5.5 mi 3.9
Elizabeth Forward MS Elizabeth 6.8 mi 7.1
Central El Sch Elizabeth 6.9 mi 4.4
Charleroi Area HS Charleroi 5.4 mi 4.3
Charleroi Area El Ctr Charleroi 5.7 mi 7.6
Charleroi Area MS Charleroi 5.7 mi 6.2
Frazier HS Perryopolis 7.0 mi 5.5
Frazier El Sch Perryopolis 7.0 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,903

Median Home Value

$187,500

Median Rent

$814/mo

Population

15,294

College Educated

27.8%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.3%

Median Age

47.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Belle Vernon Area HS has a median household income of $61,903. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,500, with a median rent of $814/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
ARCHBISHOP RYAN HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA 5.5
Albert Gallatin Area SHS Uniontown, PA 5.5
Chartiers-Houston JSHS Houston, PA 5.5
Chester HS Chester, PA 5.5
Deer Lakes HS Cheswick, PA 5.5
Greensburg-Salem HS Greensburg, PA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Belle Vernon Area HS

What grades does Belle Vernon Area HS serve?

Belle Vernon Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Belle Vernon Area HS?

Belle Vernon Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 749 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Belle Vernon Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Belle Vernon Area HS is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Belle Vernon Area HS rank in PA?

Belle Vernon Area HS is ranked #1981 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Belle Vernon Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Belle Vernon Area HS has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Belle Vernon Area HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belle Vernon Area HS has 52.6% math proficiency and 74.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Belle Vernon Area HS a charter school?

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

Is Belle Vernon Area HS a Title I school?

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

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

99.6% of students at Belle Vernon 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Westmoreland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Belle Vernon Area SD
District Enrollment
2,422
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,238
District Rank
#4 of 4

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

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