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#2204 of 2,842 schools in PA

New Castle Shs

High School · New Castle Area SD

300 E Lincoln Ave, New Castle, PA 16101

Enrollment

732

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Castle

#17 of 18

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#484 of 641

In district

#3 of 4

New Castle Area SD

About New Castle Shs

New Castle SHS is a regular public high school located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 732 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, the school benefits from a relatively small class size, fostering a supportive learning environment. The dedicated faculty, with 47 full-time equivalent teachers, helps ensure that each student receives individual attention.

Academically, New Castle SHS has room for improvement, ranking at the 29th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.8 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 42% meet proficiency standards. The school is focused on continuous improvement to better support student development.

New Castle SHS sits in a town near the edge of an urban area, providing students with both small-town charm and access to nearby city amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg+5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness6.4Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,543

New Castle Shs — Students at New Castle Shs score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.4%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 47.2%
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
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
33.1%
ELA
44.6%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How New Castle Shs Compares

See how New Castle Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in PA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

300 E Lincoln Ave, New Castle, PA 16101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Castle Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Union Area HS (rated 8.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lawrence County Career and Technical Center (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shenango HS (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
New Castle JHS New Castle 0.1 mi 3.7
Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle 0.9 mi 6.8
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle 0.7 mi 6.1
NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle 1.0 mi 6.3
Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle 2.1 mi 7.2
CRAY CHALLENGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (AEDY) New Castle 2.4 mi
CRAY EDUCATION CENTER New Castle 2.4 mi 6.2
Union Memorial El Sch New Castle 1.9 mi 7.1
Union Area HS New Castle 2.3 mi 8.0
Union Area MS New Castle 2.3 mi 6.7
Shenango El Sch New Castle 2.8 mi 8.6
Shenango HS New Castle 3.0 mi 7.2
Neshannock JSHS New Castle 4.3 mi 6.0
Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle 4.3 mi 6.5
FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle 4.1 mi
Laurel HS New Castle 4.3 mi 5.8
Laurel MS New Castle 4.3 mi 6.2
Laurel El Sch New Castle 4.4 mi 8.5
FAYETTE SCHOOL Volant 7.0 mi
Mohawk El Sch New Castle 5.9 mi 8.0

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 New Castle Shs 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
Big Spring HS Newville, PA 5.2
Chartiers Valley HS Bridgeville, PA 5.2
Chichester SHS Boothwyn, PA 5.2
Conemaugh Twp Area MS/SHS Davidsville, PA 5.2
Dover Area HS Dover, PA 5.2
Lampeter-Strasburg SHS Lampeter, PA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Castle Shs

What grades does New Castle Shs serve?

New Castle Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend New Castle Shs?

New Castle Shs has an enrollment of approximately 732 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Castle Shs?

The student-teacher ratio at New Castle 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 New Castle Shs rank in PA?

New Castle Shs is ranked #2204 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is New Castle Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

New Castle Shs has a composite rating of 5.2 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 New Castle Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Castle Shs has 42.4% math proficiency and 47.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Castle Shs a charter school?

No, New Castle Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is New Castle Shs a Title I school?

No, New Castle Shs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Castle Shs?

100.0% of students at New Castle 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.

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
732
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Lawrence County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

New Castle Area SD
District Enrollment
2,951
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,986
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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