Average
#1520 of 2,846 schools in PA
Highlands Shs
High School · Highlands Sd · Natrona Heights, PA
A Highlands Sd high school where students score 15 points above what's typical for similar communities.
1500 Pacific Ave, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
- Math 37% vs PA 42% (2024)
- Reading 58% vs PA 64% (2024)
- 87.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Highlands Shs score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 20 points since 2019, to 47% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 53% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 65% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
101.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Highlands Shs sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Pittsburgh map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 69Somewhat Walkable
- Bike 49Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Low0/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$66,838
Median home value
$147,200
Median rent
$770/mo
College educated
27.6%
Homeownership
77.6%
Poverty rate
9.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 15065; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph High SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.3private | 9–12 | 0.2 mi | 121 | Compare → |
| Mary Queen of Apostles SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.3private | PK–9 | 2.6 mi | 220 | Compare → |
| Burrell HSEnrollment path unverified | 6.0 | 9–12 | 2.8 mi | 570 | Compare → |
| Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology CenterEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | 9–12 | 3.7 mi | 6 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Highlands Sd
- Schools in district
- 4
- Rank in district
- #1 of 4
- District spending per student
- $17,691NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 20.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Highlands Shs is listed in Highlands SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Highlands Shs
Highlands Shs is a public high school in Natrona Heights, PA, part of Highlands Sd, serving approximately 701 students in grades 9th-12th with a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,520 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 ranks #1,520 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Highlands Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Highlands Shs?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Shs has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 701
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.8%
- Phone
- (724) 226-1000
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
- Area population (ZIP 15065)
- 10,927
- Area average commute
- 23.8 min
- Area median age
- 49.5
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 15065; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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