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Average

#1799 of 2,842 schools in PA

Forest Hills Jshs

High School · Forest Hills SD

PO Box 325 535 Locust Street, Sidman, PA 15955

Enrollment

789

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

5.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sidman

#2 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#351 of 641

In district

#2 of 2

Forest Hills SD

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Forest Hills Jshs

Forest Hills JSHS serves grades 7 through 12 in Sidman, Pennsylvania, a rural community in Cambria County. The school enrolls 789 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with 56 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Forest Hills JSHS is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.

In English language arts, 52% of students are proficient or above, while math proficiency sits at 36% across grade levels. These results indicate an area of focus for the school as it supports student development in mathematics. The school's academic score of 5.0/10 places it in the lower-middle range statewide, ranking #1893 out of 2852 Pennsylvania schools.

With a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.6/10, Forest Hills JSHS reflects the challenges many rural schools face in resource allocation and academic performance. The school's mid-sized enrollment allows for a reasonable class structure and student-teacher relationships. For families in the Sidman area considering their options, Forest Hills JSHS serves as the local secondary school, offering a comprehensive 7-12 educational program in this rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Forest Hills 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 Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.5%
Math vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,088

Forest Hills Jshs — Students at Forest Hills Jshs score 46% 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

100.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.2%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 52.2%
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
42%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
34.5%
ELA
53.5%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Forest Hills Jshs Compares

See how Forest Hills Jshs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in PA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

PO Box 325 535 Locust Street, Sidman, PA 15955

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest Hills Jshs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Portage Area JSHS (rated 7.2/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Portage), which scores notably higher. Another option is BISHOP CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Ebensburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richland HS (rated 6.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Johnstown), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sidman, see our Sidman schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest Hills El Sch Sidman 0.1 mi 7.8
RICHLAND ACADEMY Johnstown 5.1 mi
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center Johnstown 5.8 mi
Portage Area JSHS Portage 5.9 mi 7.2
Portage Area El Sch Portage 6.0 mi 8.8
Richland El Sch Johnstown 6.2 mi 7.6
Richland HS Johnstown 6.4 mi 6.8
Windber Area HS Windber 7.9 mi 5.8
Windber Area MS Windber 7.9 mi 5.6
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Johnstown 6.9 mi 7.0
Windber El Sch Windber 8.5 mi 6.0
Conemaugh Valley JSHS Johnstown 7.1 mi 6.4
Conemaugh Valley El Sch Johnstown 7.3 mi 4.5
CAMBRIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Johnstown 8.9 mi 6.8
Jackson El Sch Johnstown 8.9 mi 8.8
BISHOP CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Ebensburg 10.7 mi 6.9
Penn Cambria Intrmd Sch Lilly 9.1 mi 5.4
Admiral Peary Area Vocational-Technical School Ebensburg 10.8 mi
Greater Johnstown MS Johnstown 8.4 mi 4.0
Greater Johnstown SHS Johnstown 8.4 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15955 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,125

Median Home Value

$123,400

Median Rent

$840/mo

Population

2,241

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

92.6%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

47.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Forest Hills Jshs has a median household income of $69,125. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,400, with a median rent of $840/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush Philadelphia, PA 5.8
Berwick Area HS Berwick, PA 5.8
CONWELL EGAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Fairless Hills, PA 5.8
Central Valley HS Monaca, PA 5.8
Corry Area HS Corry, PA 5.8
Innovative Arts Academy CS Catasauqua, PA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest Hills Jshs

What grades does Forest Hills Jshs serve?

Forest Hills Jshs serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Forest Hills Jshs?

Forest Hills Jshs has an enrollment of approximately 789 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Hills Jshs?

The student-teacher ratio at Forest Hills Jshs is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forest Hills Jshs rank in PA?

Forest Hills Jshs is ranked #1799 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Forest Hills Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest Hills Jshs has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Forest Hills Jshs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Hills Jshs has 36.2% math proficiency and 52.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Forest Hills Jshs a charter school?

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

Is Forest Hills Jshs a Title I school?

No, Forest Hills Jshs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Hills Jshs?

100.4% of students at Forest Hills 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
789
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cambria County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forest Hills SD
District Enrollment
1,754
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,223
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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