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Average

#1713 of 2,846 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

5.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,713 of 2,846

In Waterfall

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Forbes Road SD

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Forbes Road Jshs

5.8/10

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

Forbes Road EL Sch

7.8/10

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

Independent Holiness Academy

Nearby

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

About Forbes Road Jshs

Forbes Road Jshs is a public high school in Waterfall, PA, part of Forbes Road SD. Forbes Road Jshs serves approximately 160 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Forbes Road Jshs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,713 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Forbes Road Jshs show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below PA schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

At 160 students, Forbes Road Jshs is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Forbes Road Jshs sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Forbes Road Jshs were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.1% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
AP Participation2.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,062
Chronic Absenteeism31.2%

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 50.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 62.6% (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
57%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
32.6%
ELA
49.5%
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: 6.6/10.

How Forbes Road Jshs Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
40th percentile in PA
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.8
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
2.5% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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 McConnellsburg HS (rated 6.5/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Mcconnellsburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, James Buchanan HS (rated 6.4/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Mercersburg), which scores slightly 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 7.8
INDEPENDENT HOLINESS ACADEMY Harrisonville 5.8 mi
Spring Farms El Sch Three Springs 8.4 mi 5.0
McConnellsburg MS Mcconnellsburg 11.2 mi 5.0
McConnellsburg El Sch Mcconnellsburg 11.2 mi 6.3
McConnellsburg HS Mcconnellsburg 11.2 mi 6.5
Southern Huntingdon Co HS/MS Three Springs 11.8 mi 4.1
Breezewood El Sch Breezewood 11.2 mi 7.8
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 7.4
Tussey Mountain EL Saxton 13.3 mi 6.2
Shade Gap El Sch Shade Gap 12.9 mi 6.9
Rockhill El Sch Rockhill Furnace 14.1 mi 7.6
Youth Forestry Camp #3 James Creek 16.0 mi 5.3
Mountain View El Sch Mercersburg 16.3 mi 8.5
WALNUT LANE AMISH SCHOOL Willow Hill 14.5 mi
James Buchanan HS Mercersburg 18.0 mi 6.4
Fannett-Metal MS Willow Hill 15.1 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
TERRE HILL MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL Terre Hill, PA 5.7
Jamestown Area JSHS Jamestown, PA 5.6
PHILA YESHIVA Philadelphia, PA 5.6
West Forest JSHS Tionesta, PA 6.0
Shade JSHS Cairnbrook, PA 6.1
TALMUDICAL YESHIVA OF PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia, PA 5.5

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 ranks #1,713 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Forbes Road Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?

Forbes Road Jshs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Forbes Road Jshs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forbes Road Jshs has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.2%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

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

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