Skip to main content

Average

#2167 of 2,842 schools in PA

Freedom HS

High School · Bethlehem Area SD

3149 Chester Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18020

Enrollment

1,813

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethlehem

#15 of 24

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#465 of 641

In district

#13 of 22

Bethlehem Area SD

About Freedom HS

Freedom High School serves 1,813 students in grades 9-12 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, offering a traditional high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 across 115 full-time equivalent teachers. The school currently ranks in the 28th percentile among Pennsylvania high schools, with academic performance showing room for growth as students work toward proficiency goals. In English Language Arts and Reading, 51% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics shows 33% of students meeting proficiency standards.

These results indicate the school is focusing on strengthening foundational skills and supporting student academic development across core subject areas. Freedom High School draws from a well-established community where families demonstrate strong educational values, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood maintains stability with a median household income of $118,048 and home values averaging $325,800, while maintaining a low poverty rate of 5.5%.

Located on Chester Avenue in this large suburban setting, Freedom High School serves as an important educational hub for local families seeking a comprehensive high school experience in the greater Bethlehem area.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Freedom HS are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Math vs. State Avg+7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-59 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-25.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,076

Freedom HS — Students at Freedom HS score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 37.1%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 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
43%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
5%
2024
Math
32.8%
ELA
51.2%

* 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 Freedom HS Compares

See how Freedom HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in PA
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
115 teachers

Location

3149 Chester Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18020

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Freedom HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL UPPER CAMPUS (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Easton), which scores notably higher. Another option is NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Easton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Liberty HS (rated 4.3/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bethlehem, see our Bethlehem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL Bethlehem 0.3 mi 6.1
East Hills MS Bethlehem 0.2 mi 5.3
Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School Bethlehem 0.3 mi
BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bethlehem 0.5 mi 8.7
Governor Wolf El Sch Bethlehem 0.8 mi 4.5
Miller Heights El Sch Bethlehem 1.3 mi 6.3
Spring Garden El Sch Bethlehem 1.6 mi 5.8
Lincoln El Sch Bethlehem 1.9 mi 6.7
Marvine El Sch Bethlehem 2.1 mi 4.2
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Easton 1.9 mi 6.3
Freemansburg El Sch Freemansburg 2.6 mi 5.2
Farmersville El Sch Easton 2.1 mi 6.1
ST ANNE SCHOOL Bethlehem 2.5 mi 7.1
Northeast MS Bethlehem 2.7 mi 4.0
Lower Nazareth El Sch Nazareth 2.9 mi 8.5
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Bethlehem 2.5 mi 6.2
Lehigh Valley Dual Language CS Bethlehem 3.1 mi 5.7
Liberty HS Bethlehem 2.9 mi 4.3
BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL UPPER CAMPUS Easton 2.7 mi 8.0
Thomas Jefferson El Sch Bethlehem 3.2 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,610

Median Home Value

$348,900

Median Rent

$1,493/mo

Population

21,144

College Educated

41.8%

Homeownership

85.4%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Freedom HS has a median household income of $122,610. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $348,900, with a median rent of $1,493/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Cedar Crest HS Lebanon, PA 5.2
Shippensburg Area SHS Shippensburg, PA 5.2
William Tennent HS Warminster, PA 5.2
Conestoga Valley SHS Lancaster, PA 5.3
Dallastown Area SHS Dallastown, PA 5.1
Penn Wood HS Lansdowne, PA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Freedom HS

What grades does Freedom HS serve?

Freedom HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Freedom HS?

Freedom HS has an enrollment of approximately 1,813 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Freedom HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Freedom HS is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Freedom HS rank in PA?

Freedom HS is ranked #2167 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Freedom HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Freedom HS has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Freedom HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Freedom HS has 41.6% math proficiency and 37.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Freedom HS a charter school?

No, Freedom HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Freedom HS a Title I school?

No, Freedom HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Freedom HS?

52.6% of students at Freedom HS 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,583/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,813
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
115
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Northampton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bethlehem Area SD
District Enrollment
12,864
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,564
District Rank
#13 of 22

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.