Average
#1441 of 2,846 schools in PA
James Buchanan HS
High School · Tuscarora Sd · Mercersburg, PA
A Tuscarora Sd high school where students score 15 points above what's typical for similar communities.
4773 Fort Loudon Rd, Mercersburg, PA 17236
- Math 40% vs PA 42% (2024)
- Reading 57% vs PA 64% (2024)
- 82.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at James Buchanan HS score 48% 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 24 points since 2019, to 48% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 61% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 74% (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
100%
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 James Buchanan HS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 5Car-Dependent
- Bike 23Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$81,074
Median home value
$250,100
Median rent
$986/mo
College educated
21.5%
Homeownership
79.8%
Poverty rate
8.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 17236; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
1 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercersburg AcademyPrivate · tuition | 7.3 | 9–12 | 2.0 mi | 425 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Tuscarora Sd
- Schools in district
- 6
- Rank in district
- #3 of 6
- District spending per student
- $16,360NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 9.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
James Buchanan HS is listed in Tuscarora SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About James Buchanan HS
James Buchanan HS is a public high school in Mercersburg, PA, part of Tuscarora Sd, serving approximately 706 students in grades 9th-12th with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,441 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about James Buchanan HS
What grades does James Buchanan HS serve?
James Buchanan HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend James Buchanan HS?
James Buchanan HS has an enrollment of approximately 706 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Buchanan HS?
The student-teacher ratio at James Buchanan HS is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Buchanan HS rank in PA?
James Buchanan HS ranks #1,441 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is James Buchanan HS's MySchoolScout rating?
James Buchanan HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 James Buchanan HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Buchanan HS has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is James Buchanan HS a charter school?
No, James Buchanan HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Buchanan HS a Title I school?
No, James Buchanan HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Buchanan HS?
100.0% of students at James Buchanan 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 706
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Franklin County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.5%
- Phone
- (717) 328-2146
- 4-Year Graduation
- 82.0%
- Area population (ZIP 17236)
- 8,875
- Area average commute
- 31.7 min
- Area median age
- 41.6
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 17236; 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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