Below Average
#2587 of 2,842 schools in PA
Southmoreland Shs
High School · Southmoreland SD
2351 Route 981 Box A, Alverton, PA 15612
Enrollment
555
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
555
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alverton
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#586 of 641
In district
#4 of 4
Southmoreland SD
About Southmoreland Shs
Southmoreland SHS is a regular public high school located in Alverton, Pennsylvania, within Westmoreland County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 555 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. Southmoreland SHS is situated in a rural area near the town, offering students a close-knit community feel.
The academic performance at Southmoreland SHS places it in the 9th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 4.5 out of 10. Test results show that 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 53% are proficient or above in Math. While the school has room for academic growth, it focuses on student development and offers a supportive environment.
Southmoreland SHS is nestled in a rural setting, providing a peaceful backdrop for learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southmoreland Shs 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
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Southmoreland Shs — Students at Southmoreland Shs score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 1.5/10.
How Southmoreland Shs Compares
See how Southmoreland Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
2351 Route 981 Box A, Alverton, PA 15612
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southmoreland Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GEIBEL CATHOLIC JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Connellsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Connellsville Area SHS (rated 6.7/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Connellsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mount Pleasant Area HS (rated 5.6/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alverton, see our Alverton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southmoreland Primary Center Alverton | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Southmoreland El Sch Scottdale | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Southmoreland MS Scottdale | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Ramsay El Sch Mount Pleasant | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| MT CARMEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Pleasant | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| VERNA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Mount Pleasant | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Mount Pleasant Area JHS Mount Pleasant | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Mount Pleasant Area HS Mount Pleasant | 4.2 mi | 5.6 |
| HILLTOP BAPTIST SCHOOL Hunker | 5.8 mi | — |
| Mendon El Sch Ruffsdale | 5.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Bullskin El Sch Connellsville | 5.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Yough Intrmd/MS Sch Ruffsdale | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Stanwood El Sch New Stanton | 6.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center New Stanton | 6.3 mi | — |
| GEIBEL CATHOLIC JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Connellsville | 7.7 mi | 7.8 |
| CONN AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Connellsville | 7.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Connellsville Area SHS Connellsville | 7.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Connellsville Area Career & Technical Center Connellsville | 7.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Connellsville Area MS Connellsville | 8.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Norvelt El Sch Mount Pleasant | 7.1 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,842
Median Home Value
$127,100
Population
510
College Educated
11.5%
Homeownership
78.4%
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southmoreland Shs has a median household income of $56,842. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $127,100. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Charleroi Area HS Charleroi, PA | 4.3 |
| Karns City HS Karns City, PA | 4.3 |
| Minersville Area JSHS Minersville, PA | 4.3 |
| Northeast Bradford JSHS Rome, PA | 4.3 |
| Schuylkill Haven SHS Schuylkill Haven, PA | 4.3 |
| Canton JSHS Canton, PA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southmoreland Shs
What grades does Southmoreland Shs serve?
Southmoreland Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southmoreland Shs?
Southmoreland Shs has an enrollment of approximately 555 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southmoreland Shs?
The student-teacher ratio at Southmoreland Shs is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southmoreland Shs rank in PA?
Southmoreland Shs is ranked #2587 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Southmoreland Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Southmoreland Shs has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Southmoreland Shs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southmoreland Shs has 52.8% math proficiency and 53.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southmoreland Shs a charter school?
No, Southmoreland Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southmoreland Shs a Title I school?
No, Southmoreland Shs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southmoreland Shs?
54.1% of students at Southmoreland 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 555
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Westmoreland County
- Phone
- (724) 887-2010
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southmoreland SD- District Enrollment
- 1,819
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,708
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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