Average
#1365 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 48% in state
Ridgway Area HS
High School · Ridgway Area SD
1403 Hill St, Ridgway, PA 15853
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ridgway
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#236 of 641
In district
#3 of 3
Ridgway Area SD
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Ridgway Area HS
Ridgway Area HS serves 215 students in grades 9-12 in this small Pennsylvania community, offering an intimate educational environment with an 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio and 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned strong recognition for its academic performance, ranking #410 out of 2,852 high schools statewide and placing in the 86th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. Students demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 73% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 69% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 9.7 out of 10 reflects its commitment to providing quality education despite its remote location. The school serves a working-class community where the median household income is $58,580 and home values average $99,600. While 18% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.9%, suggesting economic stability in the area.
Ridgway Area HS provides students with personalized attention and strong academic outcomes in the heart of Elk County's remote mountain region, where the school serves as an educational anchor for the surrounding rural communities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ridgway Area HS — Students at Ridgway Area HS score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 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: 2.3/10.
How Ridgway Area HS Compares
See how Ridgway Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 84.5% (2021).
Location
1403 Hill St, Ridgway, PA 15853
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ridgway Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Johnsonburg Area HS (rated 8.6/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Johnsonburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brockway Area JSHS (rated 7.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Brockway), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Saint Marys), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ridgway, see our Ridgway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgway Area MS Ridgway | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Francis S Grandinetti El Sch Ridgway | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Johnsonburg Area HS Johnsonburg | 5.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Johnsonburg Area El Sch Johnsonburg | 6.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Fox Twp El Sch Kersey | 7.7 mi | 6.6 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Saint Marys | 7.6 mi | 6.1 |
| ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Saint Marys | 7.6 mi | 6.6 |
| South St Marys Street El Sch Saint Marys | 8.2 mi | 7.1 |
| St Marys Area SHS Saint Marys | 8.9 mi | 4.7 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Marys | 8.9 mi | 5.4 |
| St Marys Area MS Saint Marys | 9.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Brockway Area JSHS Brockway | 13.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Brockway Area Elementary Sch Brockway | 13.3 mi | 8.5 |
| HILLSIDE SCHOOL Brockway | 13.4 mi | — |
| Kane Area HS Kane | 15.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Kane Area MS Kane | 16.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Kane Area El Sch Kane | 16.1 mi | 6.4 |
| REITZ CROSSING AMISH SCHOOL Brockway | 17.1 mi | — |
| EAGLES NEST AMISH SCHOOL Brockway | 17.0 mi | — |
| Juniata El Sch Dubois | 20.9 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15853 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,380
Median Home Value
$108,000
Median Rent
$640/mo
Population
6,330
College Educated
21.4%
Homeownership
76.7%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ridgway Area HS has a median household income of $60,380. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,000, with a median rent of $640/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| PINE FORGE ACADEMY Pine Forge, PA | 6.5 |
| ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Saint Marys, PA | 6.6 |
| Halifax Area HS Halifax, PA | 6.4 |
| Kane Area HS Kane, PA | 6.6 |
| Otto-Eldred JSHS Duke Center, PA | 6.4 |
| SERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Mckeesport, PA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ridgway Area HS
What grades does Ridgway Area HS serve?
Ridgway Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ridgway Area HS?
Ridgway Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 215 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ridgway Area HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Ridgway Area HS is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ridgway Area HS rank in PA?
Ridgway Area HS is ranked #1365 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Ridgway Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Ridgway Area HS has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Ridgway Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ridgway Area HS has 69.3% math proficiency and 73.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ridgway Area HS a charter school?
No, Ridgway Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ridgway Area HS a Title I school?
No, Ridgway Area HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ridgway Area HS?
40.9% of students at Ridgway 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ridgway). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 215
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Elk County
- Phone
- (814) 773-3164
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ridgway Area SD- District Enrollment
- 783
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,778
- District Rank
- #3 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 methodologyRelated reading
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