Below Average
#2615 of 2,842 schools in PA
Valley Jshs
High School · New Kensington-Arnold SD
703 Stevenson Blvd, New Kensington, PA 15068
Enrollment
885
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
885
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Kensington
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#592 of 641
In district
#4 of 4
New Kensington-Arnold SD
About Valley Jshs
Valley JSHS serves 885 students in grades 7-12 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, operating as a comprehensive public school in Westmoreland County. With 59 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. The school faces significant academic challenges, with test scores indicating substantial room for growth.
Currently, 31% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 6% achieve proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. These results place Valley JSHS in the 4th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, ranking #2753 out of 2852 schools statewide. The school community draws from a diverse suburban area where the median household income is $60,890 and median home values average $154,300.
About 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 13.2% of families experience poverty, reflecting the mixed economic landscape that shapes the student body's needs and backgrounds. Valley JSHS is positioned on Stevenson Boulevard in a large suburban setting, serving families throughout the New Kensington area. The school's location in this established Westmoreland County community provides students with access to both suburban amenities and the broader opportunities available in the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan region.
Score Breakdown
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Valley Jshs — Students at Valley Jshs score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 4.9/10.
How Valley Jshs Compares
See how Valley Jshs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 4.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 31.5% (2024).
Location
703 Stevenson Blvd, New Kensington, PA 15068
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Jshs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Natrona Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is Plum SHS (rated 6.5/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Plum), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burrell HS (rated 6.1/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Lower Burrell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Kensington, see our New Kensington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center New Kensington | 0.1 mi | — |
| Roy A. Hunt El Sch Arnold | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Martin Sch New Kensington | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Berkey Sch Arnold | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL New Kensington | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Springdale JSHS Springdale | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Highlands El Sch Tarentum | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Stewart El Sch Lower Burrell | 2.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Highlands Early Childhood Center Brackenridge | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Bon Air El Sch Lower Burrell | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Highlands MS Natrona Heights | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell | 3.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Highlands SHS Natrona Heights | 3.8 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Natrona Heights | 4.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Plum SHS Plum | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Burrell HS Lower Burrell | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Acmetonia El Sch Cheswick | 3.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Pivik El Sch Plum | 5.2 mi | 4.6 |
| O'Block El Sch Pittsburgh | 6.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Tenth Street El Sch Oakmont | 5.1 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15068 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,997
Median Home Value
$166,000
Median Rent
$749/mo
Population
36,068
College Educated
26.5%
Homeownership
72.5%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valley Jshs has a median household income of $62,997. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,000, with a median rent of $749/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| 21st Century Cyber CS West Chester, PA | 4.2 |
| Achievement House CS Exton, PA | 4.2 |
| Conrad Weiser HS Robesonia, PA | 4.2 |
| Warrior Run JSHS Turbotville, PA | 4.2 |
| Donegal HS Mount Joy, PA | 4.3 |
| Franklin Area JSHS Franklin, PA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Jshs
What grades does Valley Jshs serve?
Valley Jshs serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Valley Jshs?
Valley Jshs has an enrollment of approximately 885 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Jshs?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Jshs is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Jshs rank in PA?
Valley Jshs is ranked #2615 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Valley Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Jshs has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Valley Jshs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Jshs has 8.6% math proficiency and 32.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valley Jshs a charter school?
No, Valley Jshs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Jshs a Title I school?
No, Valley Jshs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Jshs?
100.0% of students at Valley Jshs 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
- High (2,865/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Kensington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 885
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Westmoreland County
- Phone
- (724) 337-4536
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Kensington-Arnold SD- District Enrollment
- 1,947
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,297
- 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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