Very Good
#973 of 2,846 schools in PA
Top 34% in state
Southern Columbia HS
High School · Southern Columbia Area Sd · Catawissa, PA
A Southern Columbia Area Sd high school where students score 4 points below what's typical for similar communities.
812 Southern Drive, Catawissa, PA 17820
- Math 61% vs PA 42% (2024)
- Reading 57% vs PA 64% (2024)
- 92.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Southern Columbia HS score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 30 points since 2019, to 59% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 82% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 79% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
26.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Southern Columbia HS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 4Car-Dependent
- Bike 18Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated919/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Catawissa), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$68,304
Median home value
$210,500
Median rent
$774/mo
College educated
26.8%
Homeownership
77.5%
Poverty rate
8.4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 17820; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from verified nearby records
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Southern Columbia Area Sd
- Schools in district
- 3
- Rank in district
- #3 of 3
- District spending per student
- $16,798NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 8.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
Southern Columbia HS is listed in Southern Columbia Area SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Southern Columbia HS
Southern Columbia HS is a public high school in Catawissa, PA, part of Southern Columbia Area Sd, serving approximately 364 students in grades 9th-12th with a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #973 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Southern Columbia HS
What grades does Southern Columbia HS serve?
Southern Columbia HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southern Columbia HS?
Southern Columbia HS has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Columbia HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Columbia HS is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Columbia HS rank in PA?
Southern Columbia HS ranks #973 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Southern Columbia HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Columbia HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Southern Columbia HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Columbia HS has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Southern Columbia HS a charter school?
No, Southern Columbia HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Columbia HS a Title I school?
No, Southern Columbia HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Columbia HS?
26.4% of students at Southern Columbia 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 364
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Columbia County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.5%
- Phone
- (570) 356-3450
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Area population (ZIP 17820)
- 5,528
- Area average commute
- 24.7 min
- Area median age
- 45.5
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 17820; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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