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Below Average

#2557 of 2,842 schools in PA

Liberty HS

High School · Bethlehem Area SD

1115 Linden St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Enrollment

2,587

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethlehem

#21 of 24

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#576 of 641

In district

#19 of 22

Bethlehem Area SD

About Liberty HS

Liberty HS serves 2,587 students in grades 9-12 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, making it one of the larger high schools in the area. With 168 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individual attention. Academically, Liberty HS has room for growth, with 48% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 26% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 23rd percentile among Pennsylvania high schools, indicating opportunities to strengthen student outcomes across core subjects. The school draws from a diverse community in the 18018 ZIP code, where the median household income is $69,247 and median home values average $204,900. About 37% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 18.4% of families experience poverty, reflecting the mixed socioeconomic backgrounds of students who attend Liberty HS.

Located at 1115 Linden Street, Liberty HS sits in Bethlehem's small city environment, where students benefit from both urban resources and a close-knit community atmosphere. The school serves as an important educational anchor in Northampton County, working to prepare its substantial student body for post-graduation success in this historic Pennsylvania city.

What Parents Should Know

Liberty HS is a large school with 2,587 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-54 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-25.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness5.9Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,076

Liberty HS — Students at Liberty HS score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.4%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 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
44%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
26.3%
ELA
47.9%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Liberty HS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in PA
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
168 teachers

Location

1115 Linden St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Liberty HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Calypso El Sch (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, William Penn El Sch (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethlehem, see our Bethlehem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST ANNE SCHOOL Bethlehem 0.4 mi 7.1
Thomas Jefferson El Sch Bethlehem 0.5 mi 4.8
Northeast MS Bethlehem 0.5 mi 4.0
William Penn El Sch Bethlehem 0.5 mi 7.2
MORAVIAN ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Bethlehem 0.7 mi 7.2
Lehigh Valley Dual Language CS Bethlehem 0.7 mi 5.7
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Bethlehem 1.2 mi 6.1
A CHILD'S CHOICE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethlehem 1.1 mi
HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL Bethlehem 1.4 mi 7.3
Spring Garden El Sch Bethlehem 1.4 mi 5.8
Donegan El Sch Bethlehem 1.4 mi 4.5
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Bethlehem 1.5 mi 6.2
Lincoln El Sch Bethlehem 1.3 mi 6.7
Broughal MS Bethlehem 1.5 mi 5.5
Nitschmann MS Bethlehem 1.4 mi 5.7
Marvine El Sch Bethlehem 1.4 mi 4.2
Calypso El Sch Bethlehem 1.5 mi 7.5
Freemansburg El Sch Freemansburg 1.7 mi 5.2
ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX ACADEMY Bethlehem 1.8 mi
ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX ACADEMY Bethlehem 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,968

Median Home Value

$224,000

Median Rent

$1,261/mo

Population

32,253

College Educated

37.1%

Homeownership

54.2%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.9%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Liberty HS has a median household income of $71,968. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,000, with a median rent of $1,261/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Truman SHS Levittown, PA 4.2
Baldwin SHS Pittsburgh, PA 4.1
Boyertown Area SHS Boyertown, PA 4.1
Louis E Dieruff HS Allentown, PA 4.1
Butler Area SHS Butler, PA 4.6
Northampton Area HS Northampton, PA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Liberty HS

What grades does Liberty HS serve?

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

How many students attend Liberty HS?

Liberty HS has an enrollment of approximately 2,587 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Liberty HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Liberty HS is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Liberty HS rank in PA?

Liberty HS is ranked #2557 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Liberty HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Liberty 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 Liberty HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Liberty HS has 35.4% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Liberty HS a charter school?

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

Is Liberty HS a Title I school?

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

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

63.2% of students at Liberty 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
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,583/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bethlehem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,587
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
168
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Northampton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bethlehem Area SD
District Enrollment
12,864
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,564
District Rank
#19 of 22

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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