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Average

#1148 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 40% in state

Big Spring HS

High School · Big Spring SD

100 Mount Rock Rd, Newville, PA 17241

Enrollment

752

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,148 of 2,846

In Newville

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Big Spring SD

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Big Spring HS

6.8/10

High School in Newville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mount Rock Elem Sch

8.3/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Big Spring MS

6.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Big Spring HS

Big Spring HS is a public high school in Newville, PA, part of Big Spring SD. Big Spring HS serves approximately 752 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Spring HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,148 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Big Spring HS show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with PA schools
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Big Spring HS sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Big Spring HS sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.3% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation19.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,873
Chronic Absenteeism17.3%

Big Spring HS — Students at Big Spring HS score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 60.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
59%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
59%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
59%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
28.7%
ELA
50.3%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Big Spring HS Compares

See how Big Spring HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in PA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.9/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
20
9 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
19.7% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
9 boys'·11 girls'·20 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Oak Flat El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mount Rock Elem Sch (rated 8.3/10, 0.2 miles away), 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 8.3
Big Spring MS Newville 0.3 mi 6.4
Oak Flat El Sch Newville 1.0 mi 8.5
Newville El Sch Newville 1.3 mi 7.2
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 4.8
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 6.5
James Burd El Sch Shippensburg 10.5 mi 7.4
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 6.5
Wilson MS Carlisle 9.6 mi 4.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ACADEMY-NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR Villanova, PA 6.8
Knoch HS Saxonburg, PA 6.8
Midd-West HS Middleburg, PA 6.8
THE HILL SCHOOL Pottstown, PA 6.8
BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg, PA 6.7
Belle Vernon Area HS Belle Vernon, PA 6.7

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 ranks #1,148 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Big Spring HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Spring HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Spring HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Spring HS has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.3%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Big Spring SD
District Enrollment
2,379
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,873
District Rank
#4 of 5

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