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Below Average

#2159 of 2,846 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,159 of 2,846

In Pittsburgh

#106 of 148

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Penn Hills SD

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Penn Hills Shs

4.9/10

High School in Pittsburgh · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Linton MS

3.3/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Penn Hills EL Sch

6.5/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Penn Hills Shs

Penn Hills Shs is a public high school in Pittsburgh, PA, part of Penn Hills SD. Penn Hills Shs serves approximately 1,090 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Penn Hills Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,159 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Penn Hills Shs show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.7 pts below PA schools
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Penn Hills Shs were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness5.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation21.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,293
Chronic Absenteeism34.9%

Penn Hills Shs — Students at Penn Hills Shs score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 37.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
51%
ELA
60%
2010
Math
44%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
25%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Penn Hills Shs Compares

See how Penn Hills Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
24th percentile in PA
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
24
12 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
21.2% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics24sports offered
12 boys'·12 girls'·33 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Verona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tenth Street El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Oakmont), 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 3.3
Penn Hills El Sch Pittsburgh 1.2 mi 6.5
Penn Hills CS of Entrepreneurship Pittsburgh 1.3 mi 6.6
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 4.7
Life Male STEAM Academy CS Pittsburgh 2.8 mi 3.4
Verner El Sch Verona 3.0 mi 8.2
Evergreen El Sch Monroeville 2.7 mi 7.7
PACE SCHOOL Pittsburgh 2.9 mi 8.3
DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY Monroeville 2.9 mi 6.9
Woodland Hills HS Pittsburgh 3.0 mi 3.7
Turner Intermediate Sch Wilkinsburg 2.8 mi 4.5
Propel CS-East Pittsburgh 3.9 mi 3.0
O'Block El Sch Pittsburgh 3.1 mi 6.7
Tenth Street El Sch Oakmont 3.9 mi 8.1
Gateway MS Monroeville 3.2 mi 5.1
IMANI CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pittsburgh 3.1 mi 7.3
Dr Cleveland Steward Jr El Sch Monroeville 3.6 mi 5.5
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
SCRANTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Scranton, PA 4.9
Shikellamy HS Sunbury, PA 4.9
Troy Area JSHS Troy, PA 4.9
Mastery CS-Gratz Campus Phialdelphia, PA 5.0
Franklin Area JSHS Franklin, PA 4.8
Crestwood Secondary Campus Mountain Top, PA 5.1

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 ranks #2,159 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Penn Hills Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Penn Hills Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Penn Hills Shs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Penn Hills Shs has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.9%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Penn Hills SD
District Enrollment
3,016
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,293
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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