Average
#1742 of 2,842 schools in PA
Mercer Area Shs
High School · Mercer Area SD
545 W Butler St, Mercer, PA 16137
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mercer
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#335 of 641
In district
#3 of 3
Mercer Area SD
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mercer Area Shs
Mercer Area SHS serves 311 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Mercer, Pennsylvania. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, Mercer Area SHS performs solidly, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #763 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 73rd percentile statewide.
The school shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 78% of students demonstrating proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area for continued growth, with 45% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $67,890 and median home values average $165,900.
About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This mix creates a diverse student body with varying backgrounds and experiences. Located at 545 W Butler St, Mercer Area SHS sits in the heart of Mercer County's rural landscape, serving families who value the close-knit community atmosphere and the personal connections that smaller schools can provide.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mercer Area Shs 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
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Mercer Area Shs — Students at Mercer Area Shs score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 4.8/10.
How Mercer Area Shs Compares
See how Mercer Area Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
545 W Butler St, Mercer, PA 16137
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mercer Area Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wilmington Area HS (rated 8.8/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby New Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grove City Area HS (rated 6.4/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Grove City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Neshannock JSHS (rated 6.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby New Castle), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mercer, see our Mercer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer Area MS Mercer | 0.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Mercer Area El Sch Mercer | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| CREATIVE LEARNING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mercer | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Mercer County Career Center Mercer | 1.8 mi | — |
| WOOD LAWN SCHOOL New Wilmington | 5.9 mi | 2.8 |
| WILLOW CREEK SCHOOL Jackson Center | 6.6 mi | — |
| DUTCH LANE SCHOOL Jackson Center | 7.2 mi | — |
| Wilmington Area MS New Wilmington | 8.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Wilmington Area HS New Wilmington | 8.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Wilmington Area El Sch New Wilmington | 8.3 mi | 8.5 |
| FAYETTE SCHOOL Volant | 9.0 mi | — |
| PLEASANT VIEW SCHOOL Fredonia | 9.4 mi | — |
| PINE HOLLOW SCHOOL Fredonia | 10.3 mi | — |
| VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL Fredonia | 10.4 mi | 2.6 |
| Grove City Area HS Grove City | 8.9 mi | 6.4 |
| GROVE CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Grove City | 9.3 mi | 5.4 |
| STONEBORO WESLEYAN METHODIST SCHOOL Stoneboro | 10.3 mi | 5.7 |
| GROVE CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Grove City | 9.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Reynolds El Sch Greenville | 10.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Neshannock JSHS New Castle | 12.1 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16137 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,975
Median Home Value
$176,800
Median Rent
$635/mo
Population
12,327
College Educated
21.4%
Homeownership
81.6%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mercer Area Shs has a median household income of $69,975. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,800, with a median rent of $635/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Cambridge Springs JSHS Cambridge Springs, PA | 5.9 |
| Carmichaels Area HS Carmichaels, PA | 5.9 |
| Parkway Center City Middle College Philadelphia, PA | 5.9 |
| Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12 Pittsburgh, PA | 5.9 |
| Berlin Brothersvalley SHS Berlin, PA | 6.0 |
| Clarion-Limestone Area JSHS Strattanville, PA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mercer Area Shs
What grades does Mercer Area Shs serve?
Mercer Area Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mercer Area Shs?
Mercer Area Shs has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mercer Area Shs?
The student-teacher ratio at Mercer Area Shs is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mercer Area Shs rank in PA?
Mercer Area Shs is ranked #1742 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Mercer Area Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Mercer Area Shs has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Mercer Area Shs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mercer Area Shs has 54.6% math proficiency and 77.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mercer Area Shs a charter school?
No, Mercer Area Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mercer Area Shs a Title I school?
No, Mercer Area Shs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mercer Area Shs?
100.0% of students at Mercer Area Shs 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
- High (1,565/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mercer). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Mercer County
- Phone
- (724) 662-5104
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mercer Area SD- District Enrollment
- 1,027
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,882
- 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
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