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Average

#1219 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 43% in state

Penns Valley Area Jshs

High School · Penns Valley Area SD

4545 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875

Enrollment

649

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spring Mills

#2 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#198 of 641

In district

#4 of 4

Penns Valley Area SD

Academic growth

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Penns Valley Area Jshs

Penns Valley Area Junior-Senior High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, Penns Valley Area JSHS has an enrollment of 649 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention and support. The school's academic performance reflects areas for growth but also shows strengths in certain subjects.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1300 out of 2852 schools (or the 54th percentile), Penns Valley Area JSHS is focusing on improving overall academic outcomes while maintaining strong community ties. In English Language Arts/Reading, 64% of students are proficient or above, indicating a solid foundation in literacy skills. Math proficiency stands at 49%, suggesting room for improvement and targeted support.

Penns Valley Area JSHS is situated in a rural setting where the school plays an integral role in the local community, fostering connections between education and the surrounding area's natural beauty and small-town charm.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Penns Valley Area Jshs 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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.2%
Math vs. State Avg+16.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness6.4Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,630

Penns Valley Area Jshs — Students at Penns Valley Area Jshs score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.9%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 63.9%
School
State
56.1%

Based on 12 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
53%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
50.1%
ELA
65.8%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Penns Valley Area Jshs Compares

See how Penns Valley Area Jshs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in PA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

4545 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Penns Valley Area Jshs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Penns Valley Area El and Intrmd Sch (rated 8.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Miles Township El Sch (rated 7.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Rebersburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marion-Walker El Sch (rated 7.7/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Bellefonte), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Spring Mills, see our Spring Mills schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Penns Valley Area El and Intrmd Sch Spring Mills 0.2 mi 8.2
SHADY MEADOW SCHOOL Spring Mills 1.4 mi 3.7
WOODSIDE SCHOOL Spring Mills 1.6 mi 2.8
MAPLE HOLLOW AMISH SCHOOL Spring Mills 2.3 mi 2.8
PEACH LANE AMISH SCHOOL Spring Mills 2.9 mi
SPRING BANK SCHOOL Rebersburg 4.4 mi
MISTY MEADOW SCHOOL Coburn 4.0 mi
ELK CREEK SCHOOL Rebersburg 5.5 mi
ROCKVILLE SCHOOL Rebersburg 6.4 mi
KRAMER GAP SCHOOL Aaronsburg 5.8 mi
Miles Township El Sch Rebersburg 6.5 mi 7.8
BOWER HOLLOW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Woodward 5.9 mi 2.2
WINDY POPLARS SCHOOL Spring Mills 6.0 mi
Marion-Walker El Sch Bellefonte 7.0 mi 7.7
SUNNY MEADOW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Howard 8.0 mi
HUBLER RIDGE SCHOOL Bellefonte 7.4 mi
MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Rebersbury 7.7 mi
LOCUST HILL Milroy 9.5 mi
QUARRY ROAD SCHOOL Woodward 7.3 mi 2.3
SUNSET VIEW SCHOOL Howard 8.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16875 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,645

Median Home Value

$273,100

Median Rent

$905/mo

Population

3,692

College Educated

33.1%

Homeownership

86.4%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Penns Valley Area Jshs has a median household income of $67,645. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,100, with a median rent of $905/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. 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
Conneaut Area Senior High Linesville, PA 6.7
Connellsville Area SHS Connellsville, PA 6.7
HS of Engineering & Science Philadelphia, PA 6.7
LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lancaster, PA 6.7
Pittsburgh Obama 6-12 Pittsburgh, PA 6.7
Swenson Arts and Technology High School Philadelphia, PA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Penns Valley Area Jshs

What grades does Penns Valley Area Jshs serve?

Penns Valley Area Jshs serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Penns Valley Area Jshs?

Penns Valley Area Jshs has an enrollment of approximately 649 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Penns Valley Area Jshs?

The student-teacher ratio at Penns Valley Area Jshs is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Penns Valley Area Jshs rank in PA?

Penns Valley Area Jshs is ranked #1219 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Penns Valley Area Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?

Penns Valley Area Jshs has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Penns Valley Area Jshs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penns Valley Area Jshs has 48.9% math proficiency and 63.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Penns Valley Area Jshs a charter school?

No, Penns Valley Area Jshs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Penns Valley Area Jshs a Title I school?

No, Penns Valley Area Jshs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penns Valley Area Jshs?

38.8% of students at Penns Valley Area Jshs 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Centre County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Penns Valley Area SD
District Enrollment
1,301
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,094
District Rank
#4 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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