Average
#1941 of 2,842 schools in PA
Highlands Shs
High School · Highlands SD
1500 Pacific Ave, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Enrollment
701
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
701
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Natrona Heights
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#402 of 641
In district
#3 of 4
Highlands SD
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Shs
Highlands SHS is a regular public high school located in the suburban community of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 701 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. This ensures that each student receives individualized attention, which is crucial for their academic success.
Highlands SHS ranks at the 63rd percentile among Pennsylvania schools based on its state ranking of #1057 out of 2852 schools. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4/10 indicates there is room for improvement, particularly in math proficiency where only 50% of students are proficient or above. However, the ELA/Reading scores show that 68% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, suggesting a strong foundation in language arts.
The school's setting is in a large suburban area with easy access to resources and amenities while still maintaining a close-knit community feel. This environment provides a balanced mix of academic rigor and personal growth opportunities for its diverse student body.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Highlands Shs — Students at Highlands Shs score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
101.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.7/10.
How Highlands Shs Compares
See how Highlands Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 75% (2021).
Location
1500 Pacific Ave, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Freeport Area SHS (rated 7.5/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burrell HS (rated 6.1/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Lower Burrell), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Natrona Heights, see our Natrona Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Natrona Heights | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Highlands MS Natrona Heights | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Highlands Early Childhood Center Brackenridge | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Stewart El Sch Lower Burrell | 2.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Highlands El Sch Tarentum | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Bon Air El Sch Lower Burrell | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL New Kensington | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Burrell HS Lower Burrell | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell | 2.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Roy A. Hunt El Sch Arnold | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Berkey Sch Arnold | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center New Kensington | 3.7 mi | — |
| Martin Sch New Kensington | 3.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Valley JSHS New Kensington | 3.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Freeport Area SHS Freeport | 5.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Freeport Area MS Freeport | 6.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Springdale JSHS Springdale | 5.7 mi | 5.4 |
| South Buffalo El Sch Freeport | 6.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Buffalo El Sch Freeport | 7.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Acmetonia El Sch Cheswick | 6.9 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15065 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,838
Median Home Value
$147,200
Median Rent
$770/mo
Population
10,927
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
77.6%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
49.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Shs has a median household income of $66,838. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $147,200, with a median rent of $770/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| ARCHBISHOP WOOD HIGH SCHOOL Warminster, PA | 5.6 |
| Annville-Cleona HS Annville, PA | 5.6 |
| Bellefonte Area HS Bellefonte, PA | 5.6 |
| Blackhawk HS Beaver Falls, PA | 5.6 |
| Eastern Lebanon Co SHS Myerstown, PA | 5.6 |
| Furness Horace HS Philadelphia, PA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Shs
What grades does Highlands Shs serve?
Highlands Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Highlands Shs?
Highlands Shs has an enrollment of approximately 701 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Shs?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Shs is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Shs rank in PA?
Highlands Shs is ranked #1941 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Highlands Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Shs has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Highlands Shs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Shs has 50.3% math proficiency and 68.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highlands Shs a charter school?
No, Highlands Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Shs a Title I school?
No, Highlands Shs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Shs?
101.4% of students at Highlands Shs qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (0/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 701
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 101.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Phone
- (724) 226-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highlands SD- District Enrollment
- 2,137
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,691
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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 methodologyRelated reading
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