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Average

#2080 of 2,842 schools in PA

Pottsville Area HS

High School · Pottsville Area SD

16th Street & Elk Avenue, Pottsville, PA 17901

Enrollment

951

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pottsville

#3 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#447 of 641

In district

#2 of 3

Pottsville Area SD

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Pottsville Area HS

Pottsville Area High School serves 951 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. With 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, providing reasonable class sizes for personalized attention. Academically, the school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1074 out of 2852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide.

Students demonstrate solid performance in English Language Arts, with 66% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 51% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $55,429 and median home value is $113,800.

About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16% of families experience poverty, reflecting the mixed socioeconomic character of the region. Located at 16th Street and Elk Avenue, Pottsville Area High School sits in the center of this historic Pennsylvania town of nearly 23,000 residents in Schuylkill County, where students benefit from both small-town community connections and access to regional opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Math vs. State Avg+10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.5 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+13.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,543

Pottsville Area HS — Students at Pottsville Area HS score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.3%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 69.2%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
74.5%
2024
Math
50.8%
ELA
66.1%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Pottsville Area HS Compares

See how Pottsville Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in PA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

16th Street & Elk Avenue, Pottsville, PA 17901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pottsville Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Blue Mountain HS (rated 6.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Schuylkill Haven), which scores notably higher. Another option is NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Minersville Area JSHS (rated 4.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Minersville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pottsville, see our Pottsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Lengel MS Pottsville 0.1 mi 6.2
Clarke El Ctr Pottsville 0.3 mi 4.3
PERCEPTION TRAINING CENTER Pottsville 0.3 mi
THE PERCEPTION TRAINING CENTER, INC. Pottsville 0.4 mi
ST JOSEPH CENTER FOR SPECIAL LEARNING Pottsville 0.6 mi
Gillingham Charter School Pottsville 0.7 mi 6.5
ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL Pottsville 0.8 mi 5.1
NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL Pottsville 1.4 mi 5.5
Schuylkill Technology Centers-South Campus Mar Lin 2.0 mi
ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL Minersville 2.4 mi 5.2
Saint Clair Area El/MS Saint Clair 2.9 mi 4.9
Minersville Area El Ctr Minersville 2.9 mi 6.8
Minersville Area JSHS Minersville 3.0 mi 4.3
Schuylkill Haven MS Schuylkill Haven 4.0 mi 4.3
Early Childhood Edu Ctr Minersville 3.4 mi 4.2
Schuylkill Haven SHS Schuylkill Haven 4.1 mi 4.3
Schuylkill Haven El Ctr Schuylkill Haven 4.0 mi 8.3
Blue Mountain El West Sch Friedensburg 5.4 mi 7.8
Blue Mountain HS Schuylkill Haven 4.5 mi 6.9
Schuylkill Technology Centers-North Campus Frackville 6.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,632

Median Home Value

$130,600

Median Rent

$819/mo

Population

22,557

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

44.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pottsville Area HS has a median household income of $61,632. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $130,600, with a median rent of $819/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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
ARCHBISHOP JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Radnor, PA 5.4
Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg, PA 5.4
Jersey Shore Area SHS Jersey Shore, PA 5.4
Midd-West HS Middleburg, PA 5.4
Spring Grove Area HS Spring Grove, PA 5.4
Towanda Area JSHS Towanda, PA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pottsville Area HS

What grades does Pottsville Area HS serve?

Pottsville Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pottsville Area HS?

Pottsville Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 951 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pottsville Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Pottsville Area HS is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pottsville Area HS rank in PA?

Pottsville Area HS is ranked #2080 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Pottsville Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Pottsville Area HS has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Pottsville Area HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pottsville Area HS has 53.3% math proficiency and 69.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pottsville Area HS a charter school?

No, Pottsville Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pottsville Area HS a Title I school?

No, Pottsville Area HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pottsville Area HS?

61.3% of students at Pottsville Area 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,684/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pottsville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
951
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Schuylkill County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pottsville Area SD
District Enrollment
2,484
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,851
District Rank
#2 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 methodology

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