Average
#1520 of 2,846 schools in PA
Highlands Shs
High School · Highlands SD
1500 Pacific Ave, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Enrollment
701
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
701
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#1,520 of 2,846
In Natrona Heights
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 4
Highlands SD
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Highlands Shs?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Highlands Shs
High School in Natrona Heights · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Joseph High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Highlands MS
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highlands Shs
Highlands Shs is a public high school in Natrona Heights, PA, part of Highlands SD. Highlands Shs serves approximately 701 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,520 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Highlands Shs show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- PA avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Highlands Shs 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 metricsView breakdown
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Highlands Shs — Students at Highlands Shs score 47% 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 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Highlands Shs Compares
See how Highlands Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.3/10, 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 6.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Lower Burrell), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.0 |
| Highlands Early Childhood Center Brackenridge | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Stewart El Sch Lower Burrell | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Highlands El Sch Tarentum | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Bon Air El Sch Lower Burrell | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL New Kensington | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Burrell HS Lower Burrell | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell | 2.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Roy A. Hunt El Sch Arnold | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Berkey Sch Arnold | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center New Kensington | 3.7 mi | — |
| Martin Sch New Kensington | 3.9 mi | 2.3 |
| Valley JSHS New Kensington | 3.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Freeport Area SHS Freeport | 5.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Freeport Area MS Freeport | 6.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Springdale JSHS Springdale | 5.7 mi | 5.6 |
| South Buffalo El Sch Freeport | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Buffalo El Sch Freeport | 7.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Acmetonia El Sch Cheswick | 6.9 mi | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hamburg Area HS Hamburg, PA | 6.2 |
| Oil City SHS Oil City, PA | 6.2 |
| West Mifflin Area HS West Mifflin, PA | 6.2 |
| Westmont Hilltop JSHS Johnstown, PA | 6.2 |
| Wyomissing Area JSHS Wyomissing, PA | 6.2 |
| Bangor Area HS Bangor, PA | 6.3 |
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.8%
- Phone
- (724) 226-1000
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Highlands SD- District Enrollment
- 2,137
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,691
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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