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Average

#1238 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 44% in state

Seneca HS

High School · Wattsburg Area SD

10770 Wattsburg Rd, Erie, PA 16509

Enrollment

388

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Erie

#12 of 34

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#206 of 641

In district

#3 of 3

Wattsburg Area SD

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Seneca HS

Seneca HS stands as one of Pennsylvania's top-performing high schools, serving 388 students in grades 9-12 with an impressive 9.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Located on Wattsburg Road in Erie, this regular public school ranks #29 out of 2,852 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile for academic excellence. The school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio and 38 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention that clearly translates to strong academic outcomes.

Students demonstrate exceptional performance in English Language Arts, with 87% scoring proficient or above across grade levels, while 68% achieve proficiency in mathematics. Seneca's academic score of 9.5 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. The surrounding 16509 ZIP code community supports education with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, complemented by a median household income of $69,496 and median home values of $193,000.

With an 11.9% poverty rate, the area maintains economic stability that contributes to the school's success. Seneca HS offers families seeking academic excellence a rural setting that combines small-school advantages with outstanding educational outcomes in Erie County's peaceful countryside.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Seneca HS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg+20 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,762

Seneca HS — Students at Seneca HS score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 65.8%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 61.3%
School
State
64.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
68.5%
ELA
86.8%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Seneca HS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in PA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

10770 Wattsburg Rd, Erie, PA 16509

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Seneca HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARBORCREEK YOUTH SERVICES (rated 7.4/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Harborcreek), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fort LeBoeuf SHS (rated 7.2/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Waterford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harbor Creek Senior HS (rated 6.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Harborcreek), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Erie, see our Erie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Wattsburg Area MS Erie 0.1 mi 8.4
Wattsburg Area El Ctr Erie 0.3 mi 8.4
Clark El Sch Erie 6.7 mi 6.8
Harbor Creek Junior HS Harborcreek 7.9 mi 7.3
Harbor Creek Senior HS Harborcreek 7.9 mi 6.8
Rolling Ridge El Sch Erie 7.6 mi 7.3
Belle Valley El Sch Erie 6.9 mi 6.9
Fort LeBoeuf MS Waterford 8.2 mi 7.5
Fort LeBoeuf SHS Waterford 8.2 mi 7.2
HARBORCREEK YOUTH SERVICES Harborcreek 8.5 mi 7.4
Waterford El Sch Waterford 8.5 mi 7.7
JoAnna Connell Sch Erie 7.7 mi 5.1
MONTESSORI IN THE WOODS Erie 7.4 mi
Diehl Sch Erie 8.2 mi 5.9
Iroquois JSHS Erie 8.6 mi 3.8
ST JAMES ELEMENTARY Erie 8.3 mi 7.4
Iroquois El Sch Erie 8.8 mi 7.0
Klein El Sch Erie 9.2 mi 5.6
MERCYHURST PREPARATORY SCHOOL Erie 8.1 mi 5.7
Lincoln El Sch Erie 8.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16509 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,880

Median Home Value

$207,500

Median Rent

$1,074/mo

Population

28,133

College Educated

36.9%

Homeownership

71.1%

Avg Commute

16.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Seneca HS has a median household income of $68,880. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,500, with a median rent of $1,074/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Allegheny-Clarion Valley HS Foxburg, PA 6.7
Apollo-Ridge HS Spring Church, PA 6.7
Cowanesque Valley JSHS Westfield, PA 6.7
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg, PA 6.7
LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lancaster, PA 6.7
Line Mountain HS Herndon, PA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Seneca HS

What grades does Seneca HS serve?

Seneca HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Seneca HS?

Seneca HS has an enrollment of approximately 388 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Seneca HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Seneca HS is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Seneca HS rank in PA?

Seneca HS is ranked #1238 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Seneca HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Seneca HS has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Seneca HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Seneca HS has 65.8% math proficiency and 61.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Seneca HS a charter school?

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

Is Seneca HS a Title I school?

No, Seneca HS is not currently a Title I school.

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

50.5% of students at Seneca 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
High (2,326/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
388
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Erie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wattsburg Area SD
District Enrollment
1,276
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,345
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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