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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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Math vs. State Avg+30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+20.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,461

Laurel HS — Students at Laurel HS score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

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 66.3%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 82.1%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 5 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
77%
ELA
92%
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: 2.4/10.

How Laurel HS Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in PA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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