Average
#1808 of 2,842 schools in PA
Laurel HS
High School · Laurel SD
2497 Harlansburg Rd, New Castle, PA 16101
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Castle
#14 of 18
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#352 of 641
In district
#3 of 3
Laurel SD
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Laurel HS
Laurel High School serves 317 students in grades 9-12 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, offering a close-knit learning environment with a favorable 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio and 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned strong recognition, ranking #509 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools and placing in the 82nd percentile statewide, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. Academically, Laurel High demonstrates solid performance with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while math proficiency stands at 50% across grade levels.
This combination of strong literacy skills and developing mathematical competencies reflects the school's commitment to comprehensive education. The school draws from a working-class community in Lawrence County, where the median household income is $46,896 and median home values average $108,300. About 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the local poverty rate is 17.4%.
Despite economic challenges in the broader ZIP code area of 30,954 residents, Laurel High continues to provide quality education and maintain its strong academic standing. Located on Harlansburg Road, Laurel High School sits in a rural setting near New Castle, offering students the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining access to educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Laurel 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Laurel HS — Students at Laurel HS score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How Laurel HS Compares
See how Laurel HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2021).
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 8.0/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shenango HS (rated 7.2/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawrence County Career and Technical Center (rated 7.2/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.2 |
| Laurel El Sch New Castle | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle | 2.6 mi | — |
| Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle | 3.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Shenango HS New Castle | 4.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Shenango El Sch New Castle | 4.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| New Castle JHS New Castle | 4.2 mi | 3.7 |
| NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle | 4.2 mi | 6.3 |
| New Castle SHS New Castle | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Union Memorial El Sch New Castle | 6.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Union Area HS New Castle | 6.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Union Area MS New Castle | 6.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilmington Area MS New Wilmington | 8.6 mi | 4.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Laurel HS has a median household income of $50,481. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $706/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Building 21 Philadelphia, PA | 5.8 |
| Sayre Area HS Sayre, PA | 5.8 |
| Windber Area HS Windber, PA | 5.8 |
| Aliquippa JSHS Aliquippa, PA | 5.7 |
| Brandywine Heights HS Topton, PA | 5.7 |
| Juniata Valley JSHS Alexandria, PA | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #1808 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Laurel HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Laurel HS has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Laurel HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel HS has 66.3% math proficiency and 82.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,139/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Castle). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (724) 658-9056
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laurel SD- District Enrollment
- 981
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,984
- 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 methodologyRelated 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.