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Below Average

#2373 of 2,842 schools in PA

Ferndale Area Jshs

High School · Ferndale Area SD

600 Harlan Ave, Johnstown, PA 15905

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

4.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Johnstown

#9 of 14

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#523 of 641

In district

#1 of 2

Ferndale Area SD

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Ferndale Area Jshs

Ferndale Area JSHS is a regular public high school located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, nestled in a small suburban area. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, with an enrollment of 284 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, providing a relatively personalized educational experience. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, Ferndale Area JSHS focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment.

Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10 and ranks at #2295 among Pennsylvania’s 2852 schools, placing it in the 20th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to improve student performance and development.

Ferndale Area JSHS is situated in a community that offers a close-knit suburban setting for its students and families.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Ferndale Area Jshs offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.4%
Math vs. State Avg-14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected-42.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,202

Ferndale Area Jshs — Students at Ferndale Area Jshs score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.2%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 52.4%
School
State
56.1%

Based on 12 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
32%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
25.1%
ELA
47.6%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Ferndale Area Jshs Compares

See how Ferndale Area Jshs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in PA
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Location

600 Harlan Ave, Johnstown, PA 15905

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ferndale Area Jshs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Richland HS (rated 6.8/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BISHOP MC CORT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Conemaugh Valley JSHS (rated 6.4/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Johnstown, see our Johnstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Greater Johnstown School District's Cyber Academy Johnstown 0.7 mi 3.6
Greater Johnstown SHS Johnstown 1.2 mi 4.1
BISHOP MC CORT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Johnstown 1.2 mi 6.6
Greater Johnstown MS Johnstown 1.5 mi 4.0
Ferndale El Sch Johnstown 2.2 mi 4.1
Westmont Hilltop El Sch Johnstown 2.3 mi 7.7
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY,WEST CAMPUS Johnstown 2.5 mi 6.7
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Johnstown 2.2 mi 7.0
Conemaugh Twp Area El Sch Johnstown 3.1 mi 7.4
JOHNSTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hollsopple 3.2 mi 7.6
CENTER FOR ACHIEVEMENT Johnstown 3.7 mi
Greater Johnstown El Sch Johnstown 3.5 mi 5.1
Conemaugh Twp Area MS/SHS Davidsville 4.3 mi 5.2
Westmont Hilltop JSHS Johnstown 3.9 mi 5.9
Richland El Sch Johnstown 4.0 mi 7.6
Conemaugh Valley El Sch Johnstown 5.1 mi 4.5
Richland HS Johnstown 4.2 mi 6.8
RICHLAND ACADEMY Johnstown 4.2 mi
Conemaugh Valley JSHS Johnstown 5.3 mi 6.4
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center Johnstown 4.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15905 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,620

Median Home Value

$118,600

Median Rent

$893/mo

Population

19,722

College Educated

35%

Homeownership

76%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ferndale Area Jshs has a median household income of $70,620. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,600, with a median rent of $893/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. 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
California Area SHS Coal Center, PA 4.8
Purchase Line JSHS Commodore, PA 4.8
East Juniata JSHS Mcalisterville, PA 4.9
Benton Area HS Benton, PA 4.6
Bloomsburg Area HS Bloomsburg, PA 4.6
Columbia HS Columbia, PA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ferndale Area Jshs

What grades does Ferndale Area Jshs serve?

Ferndale Area Jshs serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Ferndale Area Jshs?

Ferndale Area Jshs has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ferndale Area Jshs?

The student-teacher ratio at Ferndale Area Jshs is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ferndale Area Jshs rank in PA?

Ferndale Area Jshs is ranked #2373 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Ferndale Area Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?

Ferndale Area Jshs has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Ferndale Area Jshs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ferndale Area Jshs has 28.2% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ferndale Area Jshs a charter school?

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

Is Ferndale Area Jshs a Title I school?

No, Ferndale Area Jshs is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,246/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Cambria County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ferndale Area SD
District Enrollment
618
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,525
District Rank
#1 of 2

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

Related reading

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