Average
#2168 of 2,842 schools in PA
Big Spring HS
High School · Big Spring SD
100 Mount Rock Rd, Newville, PA 17241
Enrollment
752
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
752
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newville
#4 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#466 of 641
In district
#4 of 5
Big Spring SD
About Big Spring HS
Big Spring HS serves grades 9 through 12 in Newville, located in Cumberland County's rural area. The school enrolls 752 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 54 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Big Spring HS is working toward stronger performance, with room for growth in core subjects.
About 47% of students score proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 48% meet proficiency in Math. The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks 2372nd among Pennsylvania's 2852 schools, placing it in the 17th percentile statewide. These metrics suggest the school is focused on building student achievement and academic development.
Big Spring HS provides a high school experience rooted in its rural community setting near the town of Newville.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Big Spring HS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Big Spring HS — Students at Big Spring HS score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.5/10.
How Big Spring HS Compares
See how Big Spring HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 57% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
100 Mount Rock Rd, Newville, PA 17241
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Spring HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mount Rock Elem Sch (rated 8.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is James Burd El Sch (rated 8.0/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Shippensburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YELLOW BREECHES EDUCATIONAL CENTER (rated 7.9/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Carlisle), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newville, see our Newville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Rock Elem Sch Newville | 0.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Big Spring MS Newville | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Oak Flat El Sch Newville | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Newville El Sch Newville | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| GREEN SPRING MENNONITE SCHOOL Newville | 4.7 mi | — |
| YELLOW BREECHES EDUCATIONAL CENTER Carlisle | 4.9 mi | 7.9 |
| BLUE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Carlisle | 5.3 mi | 5.5 |
| RIVER ROCK ACADEMY NEWVILLE CAMPUS Newville | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
| CEDAR KNOLL PAROCHIAL Shippensburg | 6.7 mi | — |
| North Dickinson El Sch Carlisle | 7.0 mi | 4.3 |
| HICKORY LANE SCHOOL Newburg | 7.2 mi | — |
| MEADOW RUN SCHOOL Newburg | 7.6 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Newburg | 8.5 mi | — |
| OAK GROVE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Shippensburg | 9.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Shippensburg Area Intrm Sch Shippensburg | 10.4 mi | 6.2 |
| James Burd El Sch Shippensburg | 10.5 mi | 8.0 |
| THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Carlisle | 9.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Carlisle | 9.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Carlisle Area HS Carlisle | 9.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Wilson MS Carlisle | 9.6 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17241 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,371
Median Home Value
$208,400
Median Rent
$978/mo
Population
11,094
College Educated
16.6%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Spring HS has a median household income of $75,371. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,400, with a median rent of $978/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Chartiers Valley HS Bridgeville, PA | 5.2 |
| Chichester SHS Boothwyn, PA | 5.2 |
| Clearfield Area JSHS Clearfield, PA | 5.2 |
| Conemaugh Twp Area MS/SHS Davidsville, PA | 5.2 |
| Dover Area HS Dover, PA | 5.2 |
| Lampeter-Strasburg SHS Lampeter, PA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Spring HS
What grades does Big Spring HS serve?
Big Spring HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Big Spring HS?
Big Spring HS has an enrollment of approximately 752 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Spring HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Spring HS is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Spring HS rank in PA?
Big Spring HS is ranked #2168 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Big Spring HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Spring HS has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Big Spring HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Spring HS has 48.2% math proficiency and 47.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Big Spring HS a charter school?
No, Big Spring HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Spring HS a Title I school?
No, Big Spring HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Spring HS?
39.6% of students at Big Spring 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (360/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 752
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cumberland County
- Phone
- (717) 776-2436
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Big Spring SD- District Enrollment
- 2,379
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,873
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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