Excellent
#448 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 16% 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
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
203
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Castle
#4 of 18
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#46 of 641
In district
#1 of 3
Union Area SD
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Union Area HS
Union Area HS serves 203 students in grades 9-12 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, offering a close-knit educational environment with an impressive 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio and 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as one of Pennsylvania's top-performing high schools, ranking #249 out of 2,852 schools statewide and placing in the 91st percentile with a strong 8.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Union Area HS demonstrates solid performance with 67% of students achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 58% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to student achievement despite serving a community where the median household income is $46,896 and 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The smaller enrollment allows for more individualized attention and stronger teacher-student relationships, which often contributes to better academic outcomes. With only 19% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school plays a crucial role in preparing students for post-secondary opportunities.
Union Area HS is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area in Lawrence County, providing students with both small-town community connections and access to broader regional resources and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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Union Area HS — Students at Union Area HS score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 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: 5.9/10.
How Union Area HS Compares
See how Union Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2021).
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 7.2/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Shenango HS (rated 7.2/10, 4.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CRAY EDUCATION CENTER (rated 6.2/10, 3.3 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 6.7 |
| Union Memorial El Sch New Castle | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| New Castle SHS New Castle | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| New Castle JHS New Castle | 2.3 mi | 3.7 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Mohawk El Sch New Castle | 3.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Mohawk SHS New Castle | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Mohawk JHS New Castle | 3.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Shenango El Sch New Castle | 4.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle | 5.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Neshannock JSHS New Castle | 5.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Shenango HS New Castle | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle | 6.1 mi | — |
| Laurel HS New Castle | 6.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Laurel MS New Castle | 6.6 mi | 6.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Union Area HS has a median household income of $50,481. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $706/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Commodore Perry JSHS Hadley, PA | 8.0 |
| Lankenau HS Philadelphia, PA | 8.0 |
| North Penn-Liberty JSHS Liberty, PA | 8.0 |
| Greenwood HS Millerstown, PA | 7.9 |
| Salisbury-Elk Lick JSHS Salisbury, PA | 7.9 |
| CHURCH FARM SCHOOL Exton, 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 is ranked #448 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Union Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Area HS has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Union Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Area HS has 64.1% math proficiency and 70.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Castle). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (724) 658-4501
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union Area SD- District Enrollment
- 698
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,621
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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