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Average

#2109 of 2,846 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

5.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,109 of 2,846

In Johnstown

#9 of 14

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Ferndale Area SD

School environment

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Ferndale Area Jshs

5.0/10

High School in Johnstown · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Greater Johnstown School District's Cyber Academy

2.9/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Greater Johnstown Shs

2.4/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ferndale Area Jshs

Ferndale Area Jshs is a public high school in Johnstown, PA, part of Ferndale Area SD. Ferndale Area Jshs serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Ferndale Area Jshs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,109 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Ferndale Area Jshs show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts below PA schools
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

At 8.9:1 students to teachers, Ferndale Area Jshs sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.4% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)74% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-41.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness3.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84.5%
AP Participation4.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,525
Chronic Absenteeism20.4%

Ferndale Area Jshs — Students at Ferndale Area Jshs score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 59.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
56.1% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
29.6%
ELA
59.6%
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: 5.6/10.

How Ferndale Area Jshs Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
26th percentile in PA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.8
Sports
10
5 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
4.9% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics10sports offered
5 boys'·5 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.4/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Conemaugh Valley JSHS (rated 6.8/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BISHOP MC CORT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.2 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 2.9
Greater Johnstown SHS Johnstown 1.2 mi 2.4
BISHOP MC CORT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Johnstown 1.2 mi 6.6
Greater Johnstown MS Johnstown 1.5 mi 2.3
Ferndale El Sch Johnstown 2.2 mi 4.6
Westmont Hilltop El Sch Johnstown 2.3 mi 5.4
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY,WEST CAMPUS Johnstown 2.5 mi 6.7
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Johnstown 2.2 mi 7.1
Conemaugh Twp Area El Sch Johnstown 3.1 mi 9.0
JOHNSTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hollsopple 3.2 mi 7.6
CENTER FOR ACHIEVEMENT Johnstown 3.7 mi
Greater Johnstown El Sch Johnstown 3.5 mi 5.8
Conemaugh Twp Area MS/SHS Davidsville 4.3 mi 6.4
Westmont Hilltop JSHS Johnstown 3.9 mi 6.2
Richland El Sch Johnstown 4.0 mi 7.9
Conemaugh Valley El Sch Johnstown 5.1 mi 4.9
Richland HS Johnstown 4.2 mi 7.4
RICHLAND ACADEMY Johnstown 4.2 mi
Conemaugh Valley JSHS Johnstown 5.3 mi 6.8
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
East Juniata JSHS Mcalisterville, PA 5.0
Monessen SHS Monessen, PA 4.9
Southern Fulton JSHS Warfordsburg, PA 5.1
Building 21 Philadelphia, PA 5.2
Purchase Line JSHS Commodore, PA 4.8
Blacklick Valley JSHS Nanty Glo, PA 5.3

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 ranks #2,109 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Ferndale Area Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?

Ferndale Area Jshs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Ferndale Area Jshs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ferndale Area Jshs has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.4%
4-Year Graduation
84.5%

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

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