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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg+5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,809

Tamaqua Area Shs — Students at Tamaqua Area Shs score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 58.8%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 65.2%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
67.3%
ELA
66.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in PA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tamaqua Area SD
District Enrollment
2,064
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,838
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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