Average
#1325 of 2,846 schools in PA
Top 47% in state
Building 21 Allentown
High School · Allentown City SD
265 Lehigh St, Allentown, PA 18102
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#1,325 of 2,846
In Allentown
#9 of 34
public schools
In district
#1 of 21
Allentown City SD
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Building 21 Allentown?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Building 21 Allentown
High School in Allentown · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Arts Academy Elementary Cs
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Roberto Clemente Cs
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Building 21 Allentown
Building 21 Allentown is a public high school in Allentown, PA, part of Allentown City SD. Building 21 Allentown serves approximately 411 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Building 21 Allentown has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,325 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Building 21 Allentown show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 5.1
- PA avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Building 21 Allentown 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.
46% of students at Building 21 Allentown were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Building 21 Allentown — Students at Building 21 Allentown score 25% proficient, which is below 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 12 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: 9.2/10.
How Building 21 Allentown Compares
See how Building 21 Allentown performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 notably higher. Another option is Arts Academy Elementary CS (rated 6.8/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CAI LEARNING ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 6.8 |
| Roberto Clemente CS Allentown | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| GRACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Allentown | 0.4 mi | — |
| Jefferson El Sch Allentown | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Central El Sch Allentown | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Harrison-Morton MS Allentown | 0.7 mi | 3.6 |
| MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER Allentown | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Sheridan El Sch Allentown | 1.0 mi | 2.4 |
| Roosevelt El Sch Allentown | 0.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch Allentown | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Washington El Sch Allentown | 1.2 mi | 2.8 |
| CAI LEARNING ACADEMY Allentown | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Luis A. Ramos El Sch Allentown | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Jackson Early Childhood Center Allentown | 1.3 mi | 3.3 |
| South Mountain MS Allentown | 1.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Mosser El Sch Allentown | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Francis D Raub MS Allentown | 1.4 mi | 3.2 |
| William Allen HS Allentown | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Executive Education Academy CS Allentown | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fort Cherry JSHS Mc Donald, PA | 6.5 |
| HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL Dunmore, PA | 6.5 |
| Lackawanna Trail JSHS Factoryville, PA | 6.5 |
| Lankenau HS Philadelphia, PA | 6.5 |
| Lehigh Career and Technical Institute Schnecksville, PA | 6.5 |
| Marion Center Area JR/SR HS Marion Center, PA | 6.5 |
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 ranks #1,325 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Building 21 Allentown's MySchoolScout rating?
Building 21 Allentown has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Building 21 Allentown?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Building 21 Allentown has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 45.5%
- Phone
- (484) 765-4400
- 4-Year Graduation
- 77.0%
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
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