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Average

#1332 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 47% in state

Derry Area Shs

High School · Derry Area SD

988 North Chestnut St Ext, Derry, PA 15627

Enrollment

588

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Derry

#2 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#223 of 641

In district

#2 of 3

Derry Area SD

Equity

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Derry Area Shs

Derry Area Senior High School serves 588 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of Derry, Pennsylvania. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #583 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 77% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. Math performance reaches 55% proficiency, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. Located at 988 North Chestnut Street Extension, Derry Area SHS serves a working-class community where the median household income is $57,042 and median home values average $136,300.

The surrounding ZIP code has a population of 6,032 residents, with 16% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.4%. The school operates as a regular public high school in Westmoreland County's large suburban setting, providing students with access to comprehensive secondary education while maintaining the close-knit feel of a mid-sized learning environment.

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-5.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+35 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+43.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,398

Derry Area Shs — Students at Derry Area Shs score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 76.8%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 5 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
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
77%
2024
Math
14.8%
ELA
76.5%

* 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 Derry Area Shs Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in PA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

988 North Chestnut St Ext, Derry, PA 15627

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Derry Area Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Bolivar), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr Robert Ketterer CS Inc (rated 7.1/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Latrobe), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Greater Latrobe SHS (rated 6.4/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Latrobe), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Derry, see our Derry schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Derry Area MS Derry 0.1 mi 7.5
Grandview El Sch Derry 0.3 mi 6.3
GRACE BIBLE ACADEMY Bradenville 2.0 mi 6.8
BIBLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Latrobe 3.0 mi 6.7
Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center Latrobe 3.2 mi
Latrobe El Sch Latrobe 4.0 mi 5.3
CHRIST THE DIVINE TEACHER SCHOOL Latrobe 4.0 mi 5.2
ADELPHOI EDUCATION PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION Latrobe 4.1 mi
Dr Robert Ketterer CS Inc Latrobe 4.8 mi 7.1
Greater Latrobe JHS Latrobe 5.3 mi 6.6
Greater Latrobe SHS Latrobe 5.4 mi 6.4
Baggaley El Sch Latrobe 6.3 mi 5.0
Ligonier Valley HS Ligonier 7.0 mi 5.8
Mellon El Sch Ligonier 8.0 mi 9.1
Ligonier Valley MS Ligonier 8.1 mi 6.8
Metzgar El Sch New Alexandria 7.5 mi 8.3
OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL Bolivar 7.6 mi 7.8
Blairsville El Sch Blairsville 9.0 mi 7.0
River Valley HS Blairsville 9.0 mi 6.3
River Valley MS Blairsville 9.0 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15627 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,653

Median Home Value

$149,900

Median Rent

$815/mo

Population

5,956

College Educated

15.1%

Homeownership

79.6%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

49.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Derry Area Shs has a median household income of $56,653. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,900, with a median rent of $815/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Bartram John - Main Philadelphia, PA 6.5
Girard HS Girard, PA 6.5
Girls HS Philadelphia, PA 6.5
Hickory HS Hermitage, PA 6.5
Hollidaysburg Area SHS Hollidaysburg, PA 6.5
Lake-Lehman JSHS Lehman, PA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Derry Area Shs

What grades does Derry Area Shs serve?

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

How many students attend Derry Area Shs?

Derry Area Shs has an enrollment of approximately 588 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Derry Area Shs is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Derry Area Shs rank in PA?

Derry Area Shs is ranked #1332 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Derry Area Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Derry Area Shs has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Derry Area Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Derry Area Shs has 54.6% math proficiency and 76.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Derry Area Shs a charter school?

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

Is Derry Area Shs a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Derry 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

City Safety
Average (389/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
588
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Westmoreland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Derry Area SD
District Enrollment
1,784
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,331
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

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