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Very Good

#1018 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 36% 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

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Center Valley

#1 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#150 of 641

In district

#3 of 5

Southern Lehigh SD

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Southern Lehigh Shs

Southern Lehigh SHS serves 1,014 students in grades 9-12 in Center Valley, providing a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 across 61 full-time equivalent faculty members. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #610 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools. Students show particularly impressive results in English Language Arts, with 83% scoring proficient or above across grade levels.

Mathematics performance reaches 60% proficiency, indicating solid foundation skills with continued growth opportunities. The school's overall academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. The school draws from an affluent community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $126,149.

This educated population, combined with a low 5% poverty rate and median home values of $395,200, creates a supportive environment for student achievement. The ZIP code area houses 9,228 residents who value educational investment. Southern Lehigh SHS operates in Center Valley's large suburban setting in Lehigh County, where families benefit from the blend of suburban amenities and strong community connections that characterize this thriving Pennsylvania region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency89%
Math vs. State Avg+35 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation26.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,074

Southern Lehigh Shs — Students at Southern Lehigh Shs score 83% 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 70.9%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 86.0%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
76%
ELA
89%
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: 4.4/10.

How Southern Lehigh Shs Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in PA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers

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 7.4/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Hellertown), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (rated 6.1/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Bethlehem), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Salisbury SHS (rated 5.7/10, 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 6.3
Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch Bethlehem 0.5 mi 7.8
RED DOOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER Center Valley 1.4 mi 3.7
Liberty Bell El Sch Coopersburg 1.4 mi 8.3
Hopewell El Sch Center Valley 1.4 mi 7.0
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL SCHOOL Bethlehem 2.5 mi 8.4
Arts Academy CS Allentown 4.0 mi 5.0
Salisbury El Sch Allentown 4.1 mi 8.8
Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem 4.4 mi 3.4
Salisbury SHS Allentown 4.1 mi 5.7
South Mountain MS Allentown 4.3 mi 4.3
Broughal MS Bethlehem 5.2 mi 5.5
Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown 4.5 mi 5.0
Saucon Valley MS Hellertown 4.4 mi 8.1
Saucon Valley El Sch Hellertown 4.4 mi 7.5
Roosevelt El Sch Allentown 4.9 mi 3.3
HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL Bethlehem 5.4 mi 7.3
Saucon Valley SHS Hellertown 4.6 mi 7.4
MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER Allentown 5.0 mi 7.8
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Bethlehem 5.6 mi 6.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southern Lehigh Shs has a median household income of $134,137. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $398,300, with a median rent of $1,399/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. 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
Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia, PA 7.0
Danville Area SHS Danville, PA 7.0
Ephrata SHS Ephrata, PA 7.0
Kennard-Dale HS Fawn Grove, PA 7.0
Mastery CHS-Lenfest Campus Philadelphia, PA 7.0
York Suburban SHS York, PA 7.0

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 is ranked #1018 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Southern Lehigh Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Lehigh Shs has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Southern Lehigh Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Lehigh Shs has 70.9% math proficiency and 86.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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