Skip to main content

Below Average

#2567 of 2,842 schools in PA

Karns City HS

High School · Karns City Area SD

1446 Kittanning Pike, Karns City, PA 16041

Enrollment

650

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

4.3

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania high schools

#579 of 641

In district

#3 of 3

Karns City Area SD

About Karns City HS

Karns City HS is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Karns City, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 650 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. With 47 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Karns City HS provides personalized attention to help each student succeed.

The school’s academic performance is rated at 3.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 2484th out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it around the 13th percentile overall. In terms of subject proficiency, 56% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 33% demonstrate proficiency or better in math. The school is focusing on student development and academic growth to improve these figures over time.

Karns City HS sits in a rural area, offering students a close-knit community feel with opportunities for hands-on learning experiences that are often unique to smaller towns.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Karns City HS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.7%
Math vs. State Avg-12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,731

Karns City HS — Students at Karns City HS score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.1%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 55.5%
School
State
56.1%

Based on 12 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
58%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
46%
2024
Math
25.7%
ELA
54.3%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Karns City HS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in PA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

1446 Kittanning Pike, Karns City, PA 16041

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Karns City HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SUMMIT ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Herman), which scores notably higher. Another option is Allegheny-Clarion Valley HS (rated 6.7/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Foxburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Moniteau JSHS (rated 5.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby West Sunbury), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Karns City, see our Karns City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Chicora El Sch Chicora 2.7 mi 6.0
ST WENDELIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 8.1 mi 5.9
Sugarcreek El Sch Cowansville 8.0 mi 7.3
Dassa McKinney El Sch West Sunbury 8.1 mi 7.4
Allegheny-Clarion Valley HS Foxburg 11.1 mi 6.7
Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elem Foxburg 11.3 mi 8.2
LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOLS Worthington 11.4 mi
Summit Township El Sch Butler 11.4 mi 5.3
SUMMIT ACADEMY Herman 11.8 mi 9.0
Moniteau JSHS West Sunbury 10.3 mi 5.5
ADELPHOI EDUCATION AT BUTLER Butler 11.9 mi
BUTLER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 12.1 mi 5.7
Emily Brittain El Sch Butler 12.3 mi 7.7
FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butler 12.5 mi 6.3
Broad Street El Sch Butler 12.6 mi 6.0
Center Township El Sch Butler 11.9 mi 8.5
McQuistion El Sch Butler 13.1 mi 7.5
HIS KIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butler 14.3 mi 6.8
RUSTLING MAPLES Emlenton 13.6 mi 2.8
Butler Area SHS Butler 13.2 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16041 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,750

Median Home Value

$149,200

Median Rent

$958/mo

Population

1,865

College Educated

14%

Homeownership

86.2%

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

47.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Karns City HS has a median household income of $68,750. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,200, with a median rent of $958/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Charleroi Area HS Charleroi, PA 4.3
Franklin Area JSHS Franklin, PA 4.3
Minersville Area JSHS Minersville, PA 4.3
Schuylkill Haven SHS Schuylkill Haven, PA 4.3
Southmoreland SHS Alverton, PA 4.3
Conrad Weiser HS Robesonia, PA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Karns City HS

What grades does Karns City HS serve?

Karns City HS serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Karns City HS?

Karns City HS has an enrollment of approximately 650 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Karns City HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Karns City HS is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Karns City HS rank in PA?

Karns City HS is ranked #2567 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Karns City HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Karns City HS has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Karns City HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Karns City HS has 33.1% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Karns City HS a charter school?

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

Is Karns City HS a Title I school?

No, Karns City HS is not currently a Title I school.

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

45.5% of students at Karns City 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
650
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Butler County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Karns City Area SD
District Enrollment
1,309
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,843
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 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.