Average
#1096 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 39% in state
Building 21 Allentown
High School · Allentown City SD
265 Lehigh St, Allentown, PA 18102
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Allentown
#6 of 34
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#166 of 641
In district
#1 of 21
Allentown City SD
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Building 21 Allentown
Building 21 Allentown is a regular public high school located in the heart of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 411 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The campus is situated within a mid-size city environment, offering students a vibrant urban setting.
Building 21 Allentow has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks at #1740 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it around the 39th percentile statewide. Academically, the school's performance is with room for improvement, as indicated by its ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 30% and a Math proficiency rate of 26%. Despite these challenges, Building 21 Allentown remains committed to supporting student development and growth.
The school’s setting in the heart of Allentown provides students with access to various cultural and community resources within a dynamic urban environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Building 21 Allentown — Students at Building 21 Allentown score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Building 21 Allentown Compares
See how Building 21 Allentown performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 49.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
265 Lehigh St, Allentown, PA 18102
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Building 21 Allentown may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CAI LEARNING ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central El Sch (rated 6.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Allentown, see our Allentown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arts Academy Elementary CS Allentown | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Roberto Clemente CS Allentown | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| GRACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Allentown | 0.4 mi | — |
| Jefferson El Sch Allentown | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Central El Sch Allentown | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Harrison-Morton MS Allentown | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER Allentown | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Sheridan El Sch Allentown | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Roosevelt El Sch Allentown | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch Allentown | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Washington El Sch Allentown | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| CAI LEARNING ACADEMY Allentown | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Luis A. Ramos El Sch Allentown | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Jackson Early Childhood Center Allentown | 1.3 mi | 3.6 |
| South Mountain MS Allentown | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Mosser El Sch Allentown | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Francis D Raub MS Allentown | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| William Allen HS Allentown | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Executive Education Academy CS Allentown | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,681
Median Home Value
$146,600
Median Rent
$1,224/mo
Population
51,315
College Educated
11.2%
Homeownership
29.9%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
30.3%
Median Age
30.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Building 21 Allentown has a median household income of $40,681. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,600, with a median rent of $1,224/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY-NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR Villanova, PA | 6.8 |
| Blue Ridge HS New Milford, PA | 6.8 |
| Glendale JSHS Flinton, PA | 6.8 |
| Kensington Creative & Performing Arts HS Philadelphia, PA | 6.8 |
| Riverview JSHS Oakmont, PA | 6.8 |
| THE HILL SCHOOL Pottstown, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Building 21 Allentown
What grades does Building 21 Allentown serve?
Building 21 Allentown serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Building 21 Allentown?
Building 21 Allentown has an enrollment of approximately 411 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Building 21 Allentown?
The student-teacher ratio at Building 21 Allentown is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Building 21 Allentown rank in PA?
Building 21 Allentown is ranked #1096 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Building 21 Allentown's MySchoolScout rating?
Building 21 Allentown has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Building 21 Allentown?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Building 21 Allentown has 25.7% math proficiency and 30.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Building 21 Allentown a charter school?
No, Building 21 Allentown is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Building 21 Allentown a Title I school?
No, Building 21 Allentown is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Building 21 Allentown?
100.0% of students at Building 21 Allentown 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
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 45 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 26 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,850/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Allentown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 411
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Lehigh County
- Phone
- (484) 765-4400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Allentown City SD- District Enrollment
- 16,510
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,007
- District Rank
- #1 of 21
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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