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Average

#1425 of 2,842 schools in PA

Punxsutawney Area HS

High School · Punxsutawney Area SD

500 N Findley Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767

Enrollment

810

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

6.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania high schools

#255 of 641

In district

#2 of 2

Punxsutawney Area SD

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Punxsutawney Area HS

Punxsutawney Area HS serves grades 7 through 12 in this remote Pennsylvania town, enrolling 810 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1. The school's academic performance reflects room for growth, with reading proficiency at 54% and math proficiency at 43% across grade levels. The school ranks at the 51st percentile statewide among Pennsylvania schools, suggesting performance near the middle of the state's educational landscape.

With 84 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school maintains a relatively small-to-moderate class environment typical of rural districts. The mixed grade configuration means middle and high school students learn under the same roof, which can offer advantages in terms of unified school culture and streamlined administration. Punxsutawney Area HS appears focused on serving its community's educational needs in a tight-knit, remote setting.

For families considering this school, the key takeaway is that while current test results show academic areas needing attention—particularly in mathematics—the school's accessible student-teacher ratio suggests opportunities for more personalized instruction.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Punxsutawney Area HS offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.1%
Math vs. State Avg+6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.9 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,835

Punxsutawney Area HS — Students at Punxsutawney Area HS score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.1%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
56.1%

Based on 12 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
40%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
44.6%
ELA
54.6%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Punxsutawney Area HS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in PA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers

Location

500 N Findley Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Punxsutawney Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Punxsutawney Area El Sch (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away, in nearby Punxutawney), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SS COSMAS & DAMIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, LONE MAPLE AMISH SCHOOL (rated 3.4/10, 6.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Punxsutawney, see our Punxsutawney schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Punxsutawney Area El Sch Punxutawney 0.2 mi 6.9
SS COSMAS & DAMIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Punxsutawney 0.7 mi 4.8
HIGHLAND PARK SCHOOL Punxsutawney 4.8 mi 3.0
BUCKS RUN AMISH SCHOOL Reynoldsville 6.0 mi
TROUT RUN SCHOOL Punxsutawney 5.3 mi
SAWMILL ROAD SCHOOL Punxsutawney 5.8 mi
LONE MAPLE AMISH SCHOOL Punxsutawney 6.0 mi 3.4
SUNSET VIEW AMISH SCHOOL Punxsutawney 5.4 mi
PLEASANT VIEW SCHOOL Rossiter 6.0 mi
MAPLE GROVE AMISH SCHOOL Punxsutawney 6.1 mi
CANOE RIDGE AMISH SCHOOL Rossiter 7.4 mi
SPRING RUN SCHOOL Rochester Mills 7.1 mi
OAK GROVE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Smicksburg 7.5 mi
MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Punxsutawney 7.0 mi
WEST CREEK SCHOOL Smicksburg 8.6 mi
KENTUCKY AVENUE AMISH SCHOOL Punxsutawney 7.5 mi 2.7
PUMPKIN RIDGE Smicksburg 8.4 mi
ROCK DUMP SCHOOL Reynoldsville 8.6 mi
BEAR LANE SCHOOL Punxsutawney 8.4 mi
WILLOW DRIVE SCHOOL Punxsutawney 8.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15767 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,907

Median Home Value

$125,700

Median Rent

$823/mo

Population

14,136

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

70.4%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

19.1%

Median Age

43

Community Profile

The community surrounding Punxsutawney Area HS has a median household income of $49,907. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $125,700, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. 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
Burgettstown MS/HS Burgettstown, PA 6.4
DuBois Area SHS Dubois, PA 6.4
Gamp Philadelphia, PA 6.4
Grove City Area HS Grove City, PA 6.4
Hanover SHS Hanover, PA 6.4
Jefferson County-DuBois Area Vocational-Technical School Reynoldsville, PA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Punxsutawney Area HS

What grades does Punxsutawney Area HS serve?

Punxsutawney Area HS serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Punxsutawney Area HS?

Punxsutawney Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 810 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Punxsutawney Area HS is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Punxsutawney Area HS rank in PA?

Punxsutawney Area HS is ranked #1425 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Punxsutawney Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Punxsutawney Area HS has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Punxsutawney Area HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Punxsutawney Area HS has 43.1% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Punxsutawney Area HS a charter school?

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

Is Punxsutawney Area HS a Title I school?

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

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

54.7% of students at Punxsutawney 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

City Safety
Elevated (791/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
810
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Punxsutawney Area SD
District Enrollment
1,910
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,655
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 methodology

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