Needs Improvement
#2830 of 2,842 schools in PA
Reading Shs
High School · Reading SD
801 N 13th St, Reading, PA 19604
Enrollment
4,779
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
4,779
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Reading
#27 of 31
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#640 of 641
In district
#16 of 19
Reading SD
About Reading Shs
Reading SHS serves 4,779 students in grades 9-12 in Reading, Pennsylvania, making it one of the larger high schools in Berks County. With 253 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio as it works to support its substantial student body. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for considerable growth in both English Language Arts and mathematics.
Currently, 36% of students demonstrate proficiency in ELA/Reading across grade levels, while 12% achieve proficiency in math. These results place Reading SHS in the lower tier of Pennsylvania high schools, ranking in the 4th percentile statewide. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $52,371 and nearly 20% of residents live below the poverty line.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class character, with median home values around $102,400 and 10% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite the academic hurdles, Reading SHS continues its mission to educate a large population of students in this tight-knit community. The school operates in Reading's small city environment, where it serves as a central educational institution for families throughout the area.
What Parents Should Know
Reading Shs is a large school with 4,779 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Reading Shs — Students at Reading Shs score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.8/10.
How Reading Shs Compares
See how Reading Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 17% (2021).
Location
801 N 13th St, Reading, PA 19604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Reading Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW STORY (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tenth & Penn El Sch (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Reading, see our Reading schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thirteenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Northeast MS Reading | 0.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Twelfth & Marion El Sch Reading | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Central MS Reading | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Tenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Thirteenth & Union El Sch Reading | 0.9 mi | 2.1 |
| Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| NEW STORY Reading | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Southern MS Reading | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Sixteenth & Haak El Sch Reading | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reading | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading | 1.2 mi | 2.2 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Reading | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Lauers Park El Sch Reading | 1.3 mi | 2.1 |
| Tyson-Schoener El Sch Reading | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Northwest MS Reading | 1.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Riverside El Sch Reading | 1.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Southwest MS Reading | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Antietam MS/HS Reading | 1.7 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,863
Median Home Value
$110,800
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Population
29,408
College Educated
10.2%
Homeownership
49.3%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
29.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Reading Shs has a median household income of $52,863. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,800, with a median rent of $1,100/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| William Allen HS Allentown, PA | 3.5 |
| Hazleton Area HS Hazle Township, PA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Reading Shs
What grades does Reading Shs serve?
Reading Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Reading Shs?
Reading Shs has an enrollment of approximately 4,779 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Reading Shs?
The student-teacher ratio at Reading Shs is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Reading Shs rank in PA?
Reading Shs is ranked #2830 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Reading Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Reading Shs has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Reading Shs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Reading Shs has 22.3% math proficiency and 32.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Reading Shs a charter school?
No, Reading Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Reading Shs a Title I school?
No, Reading Shs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Reading Shs?
100.4% of students at Reading 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Reading). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 4,779
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 253
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Berks County
- Phone
- (610) 371-5705
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Reading SD- District Enrollment
- 16,657
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,659
- District Rank
- #16 of 19
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
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