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Very Good

#536 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 19% in state

Laurel HS

High School · Laurel SD

2497 Harlansburg Rd, New Castle, PA 16101

Enrollment

317

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#536 of 2,846

In New Castle

#4 of 18

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Laurel SD

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Laurel HS

7.9/10

High School in New Castle · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Laurel MS

6.5/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Laurel EL Sch

8.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Laurel HS

Laurel HS is a public high school in New Castle, PA, part of Laurel SD. Laurel HS serves approximately 317 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Laurel HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #536 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Laurel HS show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts above PA schools
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Laurel HS sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,984
Chronic Absenteeism20.8%

Laurel HS — Students at Laurel HS score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 76.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 26 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
63%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
53%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2020*
Math
72%
2021*
Math
72%
2024
Math
50%
ELA
72.1%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Laurel HS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
81th percentile in PA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
6.3% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2497 Harlansburg Rd, New Castle, PA 16101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laurel HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Union Area HS (rated 8.6/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lawrence County Career and Technical Center (rated 8.0/10, 4.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Shenango HS (rated 7.0/10, 4.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Laurel MS New Castle 0.0 mi 6.5
Laurel El Sch New Castle 0.3 mi 8.0
FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle 2.6 mi
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle 3.7 mi 5.7
Shenango HS New Castle 4.2 mi 7.0
Shenango El Sch New Castle 4.2 mi 7.1
Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle 4.6 mi 8.0
New Castle JHS New Castle 4.2 mi 3.1
NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle 4.2 mi 6.3
New Castle SHS New Castle 4.3 mi 5.1
Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle 4.5 mi 3.0
CRAY CHALLENGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (AEDY) New Castle 5.0 mi
CRAY EDUCATION CENTER New Castle 5.0 mi 6.2
FAYETTE SCHOOL Volant 6.5 mi
Neshannock JSHS New Castle 5.8 mi 6.0
Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle 5.9 mi 6.7
Union Memorial El Sch New Castle 6.2 mi 7.8
Union Area HS New Castle 6.6 mi 8.6
Union Area MS New Castle 6.6 mi 6.4
Wilmington Area MS New Wilmington 8.6 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,481

Median Home Value

$109,600

Median Rent

$706/mo

Population

30,960

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

68.9%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

43.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Camp Hill SHS Camp Hill, PA 7.9
West Branch Area HS Morrisdale, PA 7.9
Brentwood SHS Pittsburgh, PA 8.0
Claysburg-Kimmel Sr HS Claysburg, PA 8.0
Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle, PA 8.0
North Penn-Liberty JSHS Liberty, PA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laurel HS

What grades does Laurel HS serve?

Laurel HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Laurel HS?

Laurel HS has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Laurel HS is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laurel HS rank in PA?

Laurel HS ranks #536 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Laurel HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Laurel HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Laurel HS has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Laurel HS a charter school?

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

Is Laurel HS a Title I school?

No, Laurel HS is not currently a Title I school.

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

33.1% of students at Laurel 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lawrence County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.8%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Laurel SD
District Enrollment
981
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,984
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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