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Excellent

#229 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 8% in state

Union Area HS

High School · Union Area SD

2106 Camden Ave, New Castle, PA 16101

Enrollment

203

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

8.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#229 of 2,846

In New Castle

#1 of 18

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Union Area SD

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Union Area HS

8.6/10

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

Union Area MS

6.4/10

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

Union Memorial EL Sch

7.8/10

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

About Union Area HS

Union Area HS is a public high school in New Castle, PA, part of Union Area SD. Union Area HS serves approximately 203 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Union Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #229 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Union Area HS show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts above PA schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • PA avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.7% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+28.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
AP Participation23.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,621
Chronic Absenteeism23.2%

Union Area HS — Students at Union Area HS score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 79.6% (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
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2010
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2014
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2016
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
84.5%
2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
69.5%
2021*
Math
69.5%
2024
Math
58.3%
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: 9.6/10.

How Union Area HS Compares

See how Union Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
92th percentile in PA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
23.6% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·12 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

2106 Camden Ave, New Castle, PA 16101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lawrence County Career and Technical Center (rated 8.0/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Laurel HS (rated 7.9/10, 6.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mohawk SHS (rated 7.7/10, 3.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Area MS New Castle 0.0 mi 6.4
Union Memorial El Sch New Castle 0.4 mi 7.8
Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle 2.3 mi 3.0
New Castle SHS New Castle 2.3 mi 5.1
New Castle JHS New Castle 2.3 mi 3.1
NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle 2.6 mi 6.3
CRAY CHALLENGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (AEDY) New Castle 3.3 mi
CRAY EDUCATION CENTER New Castle 3.3 mi 6.2
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle 2.9 mi 5.7
Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle 3.3 mi 8.0
Mohawk El Sch New Castle 3.7 mi 6.6
Mohawk SHS New Castle 3.8 mi 7.7
Mohawk JHS New Castle 3.8 mi 6.8
Shenango El Sch New Castle 4.2 mi 7.1
Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle 5.0 mi 6.7
Neshannock JSHS New Castle 5.0 mi 6.0
Shenango HS New Castle 4.4 mi 7.0
FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle 6.1 mi
Laurel HS New Castle 6.6 mi 7.9
Laurel MS New Castle 6.6 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,481

Median Home Value

$109,600

Median Rent

$706/mo

Population

30,960

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

68.9%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

43.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cameron County JSHS Emporium, PA 8.6
Johnsonburg Area HS Johnsonburg, PA 8.5
NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL East Stroudsburg, PA 8.3
Leechburg Area HS Leechburg, PA 8.9
CHURCH FARM SCHOOL Exton, PA 8.2
Commodore Perry JSHS Hadley, PA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union Area HS

What grades does Union Area HS serve?

Union Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Union Area HS?

Union Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 203 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Union Area HS is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union Area HS rank in PA?

Union Area HS ranks #229 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Union Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Union Area HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union Area HS has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Union Area HS a charter school?

No, Union Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Union Area HS a Title I school?

No, Union Area HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Area HS?

99.5% of students at Union Area HS 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
203
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Lawrence County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.2%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

Union Area SD
District Enrollment
698
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,621
District Rank
#1 of 3

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