Average
#1157 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 41% in state
Tamaqua Area Shs
High School · Tamaqua Area SD
500 Penn St PO Box 90, Tamaqua, PA 18252
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tamaqua
#1 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#181 of 641
In district
#2 of 4
Tamaqua Area SD
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Tamaqua Area Shs
Tamaqua Area SHS serves 654 students in grades 9-12 as a public high school in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful interaction between educators and students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #572 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide.
Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 67% reaching proficiency or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics. This balanced performance across disciplines reflects the school's commitment to well-rounded academic preparation. Tamaqua Area SHS draws students from a working-class community where the median household income is $65,856 and median home values are $148,700.
The surrounding area has a 16.4% poverty rate, with 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite economic challenges in the region, the school's strong academic standing demonstrates its effectiveness in supporting student achievement. Located on Penn Street in downtown Tamaqua, the school sits in a rural setting near the heart of this historic Pennsylvania town, providing students with both small-town community connections and educational opportunities that prepare them for future success.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Tamaqua Area 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Tamaqua Area Shs — Students at Tamaqua Area Shs score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Tamaqua Area Shs Compares
See how Tamaqua Area Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2021).
Location
500 Penn St PO Box 90, Tamaqua, PA 18252
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tamaqua Area Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Mahanoy Area JSHS (rated 4.5/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Mahanoy City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Panther Valley JSHS (rated 3.2/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Lansford), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tamaqua, see our Tamaqua schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tamaqua Area MS Tamaqua | 0.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Tamaqua El Sch Tamaqua | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| NEW ENGLAND VALLEY MENNONITE Tamaqua | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JEROME REGIONAL SCHOOL Tamaqua | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Tamaqua | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| McAdoo-Kelayres El/MS Mcadoo | 7.3 mi | 3.8 |
| West Penn Twp El Sch New Ringgold | 6.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Panther Valley JSHS Lansford | 7.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Panther Valley Intermediate Sch Lansford | 7.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Heights Terrace El/MS Hazleton | 10.6 mi | 5.5 |
| IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hazleton | 11.4 mi | 6.5 |
| HAZLETON TRINITY NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL Hazleton | 11.4 mi | — |
| West Hazleton El/MS West Hazleton | 11.7 mi | 6.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Hazleton | 11.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Blue Mountain MS Orwigsburg | 10.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Mahanoy Area El Sch Mahanoy City | 9.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Mahanoy Area JSHS Mahanoy City | 9.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Hazleton El/MS Hazleton | 12.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Arthur Street El Sch Hazleton | 12.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Blue Mountain El East School Orwigsburg | 11.0 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18252 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,020
Median Home Value
$153,000
Median Rent
$922/mo
Population
11,065
College Educated
19.5%
Homeownership
68.6%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tamaqua Area Shs has a median household income of $61,020. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,000, with a median rent of $922/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY-NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR Villanova, PA | 6.8 |
| Bradford Area HS Bradford, PA | 6.8 |
| Building 21 Allentown Allentown, PA | 6.8 |
| Fairview HS Fairview, PA | 6.8 |
| Harbor Creek Senior HS Harborcreek, PA | 6.8 |
| Honesdale HS Honesdale, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tamaqua Area Shs
What grades does Tamaqua Area Shs serve?
Tamaqua Area Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Tamaqua Area Shs?
Tamaqua Area Shs has an enrollment of approximately 654 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tamaqua Area Shs?
The student-teacher ratio at Tamaqua Area Shs is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tamaqua Area Shs rank in PA?
Tamaqua Area Shs is ranked #1157 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Tamaqua Area Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Tamaqua Area Shs has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Tamaqua Area Shs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tamaqua Area Shs has 58.8% math proficiency and 65.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tamaqua Area Shs a charter school?
No, Tamaqua Area Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tamaqua Area Shs a Title I school?
No, Tamaqua Area Shs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tamaqua Area Shs?
53.8% of students at Tamaqua Area 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
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,055/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tamaqua). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 654
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Schuylkill County
- Phone
- (570) 668-1901
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tamaqua Area SD- District Enrollment
- 2,064
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,838
- District Rank
- #2 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.