Below Average
#2341 of 2,842 schools in PA
Penn Hills Shs
High School · Penn Hills SD
309 Collins Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Enrollment
1,090
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,090
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pittsburgh
#117 of 148
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#516 of 641
In district
#3 of 3
Penn Hills SD
About Penn Hills Shs
Penn Hills SHS serves 1,090 students in grades 9-12 as a regular public high school in Pittsburgh's large suburban setting. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this sizable student body. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,726 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 4th percentile statewide.
This indicates significant room for academic growth and suggests the school is working to better serve its student community's educational needs. Penn Hills SHS is situated in the 15235 ZIP code area, a community where 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects middle-class suburban characteristics, with a median household income of $59,612 and median home values around $121,900.
The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 12.4% among its 34,383 residents. Located on Collins Drive, the school serves families in this established suburban Pittsburgh community, where students have access to the educational and cultural opportunities that come with being part of the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Score Breakdown
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Penn Hills Shs — Students at Penn Hills Shs score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 2.7/10.
How Penn Hills Shs Compares
See how Penn Hills Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 29% (2019) to 34% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
309 Collins Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn Hills Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. PACE SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Verner El Sch (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Verona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilkins El STEAM Academy (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pittsburgh, see our Pittsburgh schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Linton MS Pittsburgh | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Penn Hills El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Penn Hills CS of Entrepreneurship Pittsburgh | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Verona | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| NEW STORY Monroeville | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilkins El STEAM Academy Pittsburgh | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Life Male STEAM Academy CS Pittsburgh | 2.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Verner El Sch Verona | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Evergreen El Sch Monroeville | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| PACE SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 2.9 mi | 8.3 |
| DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY Monroeville | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Woodland Hills HS Pittsburgh | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Turner Intermediate Sch Wilkinsburg | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Propel CS-East Pittsburgh | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| O'Block El Sch Pittsburgh | 3.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Tenth Street El Sch Oakmont | 3.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Gateway MS Monroeville | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
| IMANI CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pittsburgh | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Dr Cleveland Steward Jr El Sch Monroeville | 3.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Turtle Creek EL STEAM Academy Turtle Creek | 4.3 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,292
Median Home Value
$132,800
Median Rent
$1,048/mo
Population
33,811
College Educated
35.5%
Homeownership
73.2%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
44.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penn Hills Shs has a median household income of $62,292. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,800, with a median rent of $1,048/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate, PA | 4.9 |
| Cedar Cliff HS Camp Hill, PA | 4.9 |
| Governor Mifflin SHS Shillington, PA | 4.9 |
| Muhlenberg HS Reading, PA | 4.9 |
| SCRANTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Scranton, PA | 4.9 |
| Hughesville JSHS Hughesville, PA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn Hills Shs
What grades does Penn Hills Shs serve?
Penn Hills Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Penn Hills Shs?
Penn Hills Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,090 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Hills Shs?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn Hills Shs is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn Hills Shs rank in PA?
Penn Hills Shs is ranked #2341 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Penn Hills Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Hills Shs has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Hills Shs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Hills Shs has 31.5% math proficiency and 35.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penn Hills Shs a charter school?
No, Penn Hills Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn Hills Shs a Title I school?
No, Penn Hills Shs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Hills Shs?
99.9% of students at Penn Hills 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pittsburgh). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,090
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Phone
- (412) 793-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Penn Hills SD- District Enrollment
- 3,016
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,293
- 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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