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Below Average

#2449 of 2,842 schools in PA

Butler Area Shs

High School · Butler Area SD

120 Campus Lane, Butler, PA 16001

Enrollment

1,968

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Butler

#8 of 8

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#547 of 641

In district

#9 of 9

Butler Area SD

About Butler Area Shs

Butler Area Senior High School serves 1,968 students in grades 9-12 in Butler, Pennsylvania, making it one of the larger high schools in the region. With 116 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, providing reasonable access to individual attention for students. Academically, Butler Area SHS shows room for growth, with 58% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 41% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 38th percentile among Pennsylvania high schools, indicating opportunities for continued improvement in student achievement. These performance metrics suggest the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support systems for its diverse student body. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $60,866 and 30% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a poverty rate of 11%, the area represents a mix of economic backgrounds, and median home values around $182,600 reflect a stable residential community. Butler Area Senior High School is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering students the benefits of both suburban community feel and access to broader metropolitan resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg+30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,470

Butler Area Shs — Students at Butler Area Shs score 51% 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

41.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.9%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 56.1%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 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
79%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
40.6%
ELA
58.4%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Butler Area Shs Compares

See how Butler Area Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in PA
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers

Location

120 Campus Lane, Butler, PA 16001

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Butler Area Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SUMMIT ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Herman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Knoch HS (rated 6.4/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Saxonburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Butler, see our Butler schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Butler County Area Vocational Technical School Butler 0.1 mi
Butler Area IHS Butler 0.3 mi 7.3
Broad Street El Sch Butler 0.8 mi 6.0
FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butler 1.0 mi 6.3
Emily Brittain El Sch Butler 1.0 mi 7.7
Northwest El Sch Butler 1.1 mi 8.3
BUTLER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 1.6 mi 5.7
ADELPHOI EDUCATION AT BUTLER Butler 1.7 mi
McQuistion El Sch Butler 2.0 mi 7.5
Center Township El Sch Butler 3.0 mi 8.5
PENN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Butler 6.0 mi 6.5
HIS KIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butler 5.5 mi 6.8
Summit Township El Sch Butler 4.9 mi 5.3
Connoquenessing El Sch Renfrew 5.6 mi 7.8
SUMMIT ACADEMY Herman 5.8 mi 9.0
ST WENDELIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 6.1 mi 5.9
Moraine El Sch Prospect 7.1 mi 7.1
HOLY SEPULCHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 9.3 mi 6.6
Dassa McKinney El Sch West Sunbury 9.7 mi 7.4
Knoch HS Saxonburg 9.1 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,325

Median Home Value

$191,400

Median Rent

$864/mo

Population

39,733

College Educated

28.2%

Homeownership

68%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Median Age

45.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Butler Area Shs has a median household income of $61,325. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,400, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Crestwood Secondary Campus Mountain Top, PA 4.6
Exeter Twp SHS Reading, PA 4.6
Northampton Area HS Northampton, PA 4.6
William Penn SHS York, PA 4.6
Bethel Park HS Bethel Park, PA 4.5
Elizabethtown Area SHS Elizabethtown, PA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Butler Area Shs

What grades does Butler Area Shs serve?

Butler Area Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Butler Area Shs?

Butler Area Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,968 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Butler Area Shs?

The student-teacher ratio at Butler Area Shs is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Butler Area Shs rank in PA?

Butler Area Shs is ranked #2449 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Butler Area Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Butler Area Shs has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Butler Area Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Butler Area Shs has 63.9% math proficiency and 56.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Butler Area Shs a charter school?

No, Butler Area Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Butler Area Shs a Title I school?

No, Butler Area Shs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Butler Area Shs?

41.3% of students at Butler Area Shs 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,112/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Butler). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,968
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
116
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Butler County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Butler Area SD
District Enrollment
5,941
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,524
District Rank
#9 of 9

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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