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Excellent

#440 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 15% in state

Southern Lehigh Shs

High School · Southern Lehigh SD

5800 Main St, Center Valley, PA 18034

Enrollment

1,014

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#440 of 2,846

In Center Valley

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 5

Southern Lehigh SD

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Lehigh Shs

8.1/10

High School in Center Valley · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Southern Lehigh MS

7.4/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch

8.1/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southern Lehigh Shs

Southern Lehigh Shs is a public high school in Center Valley, PA, part of Southern Lehigh SD. Southern Lehigh Shs serves approximately 1,014 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Lehigh Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #440 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Lehigh Shs show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts above PA schools
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • PA avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.6% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19 pts
Overall Proficiency71% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation26.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,200
Chronic Absenteeism9.3%

Southern Lehigh Shs — Students at Southern Lehigh Shs score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 75.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 82.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 26 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
74%
ELA
84%
2016
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
83%
ELA
89%
2018
Math
76%
ELA
89%
2019
Math
76%
ELA
89%
2020*
Math
77%
2021*
Math
77%
2024
Math
59.6%
ELA
83%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Southern Lehigh Shs Compares

See how Southern Lehigh Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
85th percentile in PA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
5.4/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
25
13 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
26.8% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
13 boys'·12 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5800 Main St, Center Valley, PA 18034

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Lehigh Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Saucon Valley SHS (rated 8.9/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Hellertown), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (rated 8.0/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Bethlehem), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Salisbury SHS (rated 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Allentown), a more accessible option. For more schools in Center Valley, see our Center Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Southern Lehigh MS Center Valley 0.2 mi 7.4
Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch Bethlehem 0.5 mi 8.1
RED DOOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER Center Valley 1.4 mi 3.7
Liberty Bell El Sch Coopersburg 1.4 mi 8.5
Hopewell El Sch Center Valley 1.4 mi 8.2
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL SCHOOL Bethlehem 2.5 mi 8.4
Arts Academy CS Allentown 4.0 mi 4.3
Salisbury El Sch Allentown 4.1 mi 7.5
Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem 4.4 mi 3.8
Salisbury SHS Allentown 4.1 mi 6.6
South Mountain MS Allentown 4.3 mi 3.2
Broughal MS Bethlehem 5.2 mi 3.9
Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown 4.5 mi 4.3
Saucon Valley MS Hellertown 4.4 mi 6.9
Saucon Valley El Sch Hellertown 4.4 mi 7.5
Roosevelt El Sch Allentown 4.9 mi 3.1
HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL Bethlehem 5.4 mi 7.3
Saucon Valley SHS Hellertown 4.6 mi 8.9
MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER Allentown 5.0 mi 7.8
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Bethlehem 5.6 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,137

Median Home Value

$398,300

Median Rent

$1,399/mo

Population

9,501

College Educated

53.8%

Homeownership

89.5%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.5%

Median Age

41.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Blue Mountain HS Schuylkill Haven, PA 8.1
Elizabeth Forward SHS Elizabeth, PA 8.1
Ephrata SHS Ephrata, PA 8.1
Interboro SHS Prospect Park, PA 8.1
Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy 6-12 Pittsburgh, PA 8.1
Dallas SHS Dallas, PA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Lehigh Shs

What grades does Southern Lehigh Shs serve?

Southern Lehigh Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southern Lehigh Shs?

Southern Lehigh Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,014 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Lehigh Shs?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Lehigh Shs is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Lehigh Shs rank in PA?

Southern Lehigh Shs ranks #440 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Southern Lehigh Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Lehigh Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Lehigh Shs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Lehigh Shs has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Southern Lehigh Shs a charter school?

No, Southern Lehigh Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southern Lehigh Shs a Title I school?

No, Southern Lehigh Shs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Lehigh Shs?

20.7% of students at Southern Lehigh 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
61
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lehigh County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.3%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Southern Lehigh SD
District Enrollment
3,047
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,200
District Rank
#3 of 5

How we rate schools

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