Very Good
#886 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 31% in state
Portage Area Jshs
High School · Portage Area SD
85 Mountain Ave, Portage, PA 15946
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portage
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#119 of 641
In district
#2 of 2
Portage Area SD
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Portage Area Jshs
Portage Area JSHS is a regular public high school located in Portage, Pennsylvania, on the edge of an urban area. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 358 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to its students.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Portage Area JSHS scores a 5.9 out of 10 overall and ranks 1302nd out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania. In terms of academic performance, 65% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 43% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate that the school is focusing on student development with room for academic growth.
The setting around Portage Area JSHS reflects a mix of rural and urban influences, making it a unique environment for learning and community engagement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Portage Area Jshs — Students at Portage Area Jshs score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 7.9/10.
How Portage Area Jshs Compares
See how Portage Area Jshs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2024).
Location
85 Mountain Ave, Portage, PA 15946
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portage Area Jshs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Penn Cambria HS (rated 7.9/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Cresson), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Central Cambria HS (rated 7.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Ebensburg), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BISHOP CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Ebensburg), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Portage Area El Sch Portage | 0.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Penn Cambria Intrmd Sch Lilly | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Penn Cambria Primary Sch Lilly | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Forest Hills JSHS Sidman | 5.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Forest Hills El Sch Sidman | 5.9 mi | 7.8 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cresson | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Penn Cambria HS Cresson | 7.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Penn Cambria Pre-Primary Cresson | 7.2 mi | 5.1 |
| HOLY NAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ebensburg | 7.9 mi | 5.7 |
| BISHOP CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Ebensburg | 8.0 mi | 6.9 |
| ST MICHAEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Loretto | 8.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Admiral Peary Area Vocational-Technical School Ebensburg | 8.3 mi | — |
| Cambria El Sch Ebensburg | 8.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Central Cambria HS Ebensburg | 8.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Central Cambria MS Ebensburg | 8.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Penn Cambria MS Gallitzin | 8.9 mi | 5.0 |
| EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Claysburg | 9.5 mi | — |
| CAMBRIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Johnstown | 10.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Jackson El Sch Johnstown | 10.2 mi | 8.8 |
| RICHLAND ACADEMY Johnstown | 11.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15946 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,602
Median Home Value
$116,100
Median Rent
$635/mo
Population
6,630
College Educated
21.4%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
49.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Portage Area Jshs has a median household income of $56,602. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,100, with a median rent of $635/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Claysburg-Kimmel Sr HS Claysburg, PA | 7.2 |
| Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle, PA | 7.2 |
| MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA | 7.2 |
| Shenango HS New Castle, PA | 7.2 |
| Bentworth SHS Bentleyville, PA | 7.3 |
| Lackawanna Trail JSHS Factoryville, PA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portage Area Jshs
What grades does Portage Area Jshs serve?
Portage Area Jshs serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Portage Area Jshs?
Portage Area Jshs has an enrollment of approximately 358 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portage Area Jshs?
The student-teacher ratio at Portage Area Jshs is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portage Area Jshs rank in PA?
Portage Area Jshs is ranked #886 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Portage Area Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?
Portage Area Jshs has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Portage Area Jshs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portage Area Jshs has 42.7% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portage Area Jshs a charter school?
No, Portage Area Jshs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portage Area Jshs a Title I school?
No, Portage Area Jshs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portage Area Jshs?
100.0% of students at Portage 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portage). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 358
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Cambria County
- Phone
- (814) 736-9636
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portage Area SD- District Enrollment
- 774
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,281
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.