Very Good
#478 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 17% in state
Penn Cambria HS
High School · Penn Cambria SD
401 Linden Ave, Cresson, PA 16630
Enrollment
552
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
552
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cresson
#1 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#53 of 641
In district
#1 of 5
Penn Cambria SD
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Penn Cambria HS
Penn Cambria High School serves 552 students in grades 9-12 in Cresson, Pennsylvania, consistently earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranking 135th out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools in the 95th percentile, the school demonstrates strong academic excellence. The school's 42 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a favorable 13.1-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention.
Academic performance is particularly strong, with 80% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 68% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. These results contribute to the school's impressive 9.2 out of 10 academic score. Penn Cambria High School operates within a stable community where the median household income reaches $63,696 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 8.8%.
The surrounding area reflects a working-class character, with median home values of $137,600 and 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area in Cambria County, providing students with both small-town community connections and access to broader regional opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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Penn Cambria HS — Students at Penn Cambria HS score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Penn Cambria HS Compares
See how Penn Cambria HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2021).
Location
401 Linden Ave, Cresson, PA 16630
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn Cambria HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central Cambria HS (rated 7.3/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Ebensburg), with a comparable rating. Another option is Portage Area JSHS (rated 7.2/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Portage), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BISHOP CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Ebensburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cresson, see our Cresson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Penn Cambria Pre-Primary Cresson | 0.1 mi | 5.1 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cresson | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Penn Cambria MS Gallitzin | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Penn Cambria Primary Sch Lilly | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ST MICHAEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Loretto | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Penn Cambria Intrmd Sch Lilly | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Portage Area El Sch Portage | 7.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Portage Area JSHS Portage | 7.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Foot of Ten El Sch Duncansville | 7.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Mowrie A Ebner El Sch Altoona | 7.7 mi | 7.1 |
| HOLY NAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ebensburg | 7.8 mi | 5.7 |
| BISHOP CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Ebensburg | 8.2 mi | 6.9 |
| HOLY TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS Altoona | 8.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Cambria El Sch Ebensburg | 8.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Admiral Peary Area Vocational-Technical School Ebensburg | 8.6 mi | — |
| Central Cambria HS Ebensburg | 8.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Central Cambria MS Ebensburg | 8.6 mi | 8.7 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Newry | 9.2 mi | 5.9 |
| EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Claysburg | 11.1 mi | — |
| Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation CS Altoona | 9.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,034
Median Home Value
$139,700
Median Rent
$657/mo
Population
4,771
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
71.3%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penn Cambria HS has a median household income of $65,034. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,700, with a median rent of $657/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Science Leadership Academy Philadelphia, PA | 7.9 |
| Penns Manor Area JSHS Clymer, PA | 7.8 |
| The Science Leadership Academy at Beeber Philadelphia, PA | 8.1 |
| Avonworth HS Pittsburgh, PA | 7.7 |
| Brookville JSHS Brookville, PA | 7.7 |
| Cambria Heights SHS Patton, PA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn Cambria HS
What grades does Penn Cambria HS serve?
Penn Cambria HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Penn Cambria HS?
Penn Cambria HS has an enrollment of approximately 552 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Cambria HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn Cambria HS is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn Cambria HS rank in PA?
Penn Cambria HS is ranked #478 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Penn Cambria HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Cambria HS has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Penn Cambria HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Cambria HS has 69.0% math proficiency and 75.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penn Cambria HS a charter school?
No, Penn Cambria HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn Cambria HS a Title I school?
No, Penn Cambria HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Cambria HS?
42.4% of students at Penn Cambria 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cresson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 552
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Cambria County
- Phone
- (814) 886-8188
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Penn Cambria SD- District Enrollment
- 1,521
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,980
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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