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Below Average

#2504 of 2,842 schools in PA

Forbes Road Jshs

High School · Forbes Road SD

159 Red Bird Drive, Waterfall, PA 16689

Enrollment

160

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

4.5

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterfall

#2 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#562 of 641

In district

#2 of 2

Forbes Road SD

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Forbes Road Jshs

Forbes Road JSHS is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Waterfall, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 160 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Forbes Road JSHS aims to provide a supportive learning environment.

According to MySchoolScout's metrics, the school has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 10 and is ranked #2065 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it at the 28th percentile statewide. Academically, the school shows that 55% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 32% meet proficiency standards in Math. While these scores indicate there is room for academic growth, the school remains committed to supporting student development and success.

Forbes Road JSHS sits in a quiet rural area where community ties run deep, offering students a close-knit setting conducive to learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 160 students, Forbes Road Jshs is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Forbes Road Jshs may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63%
Math vs. State Avg-10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,452

Forbes Road Jshs — Students at Forbes Road Jshs score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.4%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 55.4%
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
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2024
Math
22%
ELA
55.2%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Forbes Road Jshs Compares

See how Forbes Road Jshs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
12th percentile in PA
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

159 Red Bird Drive, Waterfall, PA 16689

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forbes Road Jshs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tussey Mountain HS (rated 8.4/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Saxton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Youth Forestry Camp #3 (rated 8.2/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby James Creek), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James Buchanan HS (rated 5.6/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Mercersburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterfall, see our Waterfall schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Forbes Road El Sch Waterfall 0.0 mi 5.8
INDEPENDENT HOLINESS ACADEMY Harrisonville 5.8 mi
Spring Farms El Sch Three Springs 8.4 mi 5.7
McConnellsburg MS Mcconnellsburg 11.2 mi 6.7
McConnellsburg El Sch Mcconnellsburg 11.2 mi 6.4
McConnellsburg HS Mcconnellsburg 11.2 mi 5.2
Southern Huntingdon Co HS/MS Three Springs 11.8 mi 4.6
Breezewood El Sch Breezewood 11.2 mi 4.8
MEADOW GREEN MENNONITE SCHOOL Three Springs 14.1 mi
MEADOW GREEN MENNONITE SCHOOL Three Springs 14.1 mi
Tussey Mountain HS Saxton 13.3 mi 8.4
Tussey Mountain MS Saxton 13.3 mi 6.6
Tussey Mountain EL Saxton 13.3 mi 4.2
Shade Gap El Sch Shade Gap 12.9 mi 7.5
Rockhill El Sch Rockhill Furnace 14.1 mi 8.6
Youth Forestry Camp #3 James Creek 16.0 mi 8.2
Mountain View El Sch Mercersburg 16.3 mi 8.1
WALNUT LANE AMISH SCHOOL Willow Hill 14.5 mi
James Buchanan HS Mercersburg 18.0 mi 5.6
Fannett-Metal MS Willow Hill 15.1 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16689 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,750

Median Home Value

$176,600

Population

331

College Educated

15.4%

Homeownership

91.9%

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Forbes Road Jshs has a median household income of $58,750. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,600. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Benton Area HS Benton, PA 4.6
Roosevelt Campus of the Norristown Area HS Norristown, PA 5.1
Parkway Northwest Philadelphia, PA 5.2
HYMAN KORMAN HIGH SCHOOL-TALMUDICAL YESHIVA OF PHI Philadelphia, PA 5.3
Turkeyfoot Valley Area JSHS Confluence, PA 3.7
La Academia Partnership CS Lancaster, PA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forbes Road Jshs

What grades does Forbes Road Jshs serve?

Forbes Road Jshs serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Forbes Road Jshs?

Forbes Road Jshs has an enrollment of approximately 160 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forbes Road Jshs?

The student-teacher ratio at Forbes Road Jshs is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forbes Road Jshs rank in PA?

Forbes Road Jshs is ranked #2504 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Forbes Road Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?

Forbes Road Jshs has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Forbes Road Jshs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forbes Road Jshs has 32.4% math proficiency and 55.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Forbes Road Jshs a charter school?

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

Is Forbes Road Jshs a Title I school?

No, Forbes Road Jshs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forbes Road Jshs?

57.5% of students at Forbes Road Jshs 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
160
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Fulton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forbes Road SD
District Enrollment
387
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,062
District Rank
#2 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

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