Skip to main content

Very Good

#559 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 20% in state

West Branch Area HS

High School · West Branch Area SD

444 Allport Cutoff, Morrisdale, PA 16858

Enrollment

317

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Morrisdale

#1 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#59 of 641

In district

#1 of 3

West Branch Area SD

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About West Branch Area HS

West Branch Area High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Morrisdale, Pennsylvania. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 317 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.8 out of 10, placing it at the 68th percentile among Pennsylvania schools.

Academically, West Branch Area High School has a score of 6.0/10, reflecting that 64% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 43% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is situated in a rural area where community bonds run strong, creating an environment conducive to student development and support. West Branch Area High School focuses on providing a nurturing educational setting for its students within the heart of Morrisdale's close-knit community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Branch Area HS 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 Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Math vs. State Avg+5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness8.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,366

West Branch Area HS — Students at West Branch Area HS score 52% 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

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.9%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 63.8%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
47%
2024
Math
47.8%
ELA
69.6%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How West Branch Area HS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
80th percentile in PA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

444 Allport Cutoff, Morrisdale, PA 16858

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Branch Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Moshannon Valley JSHS (rated 6.6/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Houtzdale), a more accessible option. Another option is Philipsburg-Osceola Area HS (rated 6.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Philipsburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Clearfield Area JSHS (rated 5.2/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Clearfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in Morrisdale, see our Morrisdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.4 mi
School Distance Rating
West Branch MS Morrisdale 0.0 mi 6.7
West Branch Area El Sch Morrisdale 0.1 mi 6.8
Philipsburg El Sch Philipsburg 5.2 mi 5.5
Philipsburg-Osceola Area HS Philipsburg 6.1 mi 6.5
Philipsburg-Osceola Area MS Philipsburg 6.5 mi 7.7
Osceola Mills El Sch Osceola Mills 9.5 mi 7.0
Clearfield County Career & Technology Center Clearfield 11.8 mi
Port Matilda El Sch Port Matilda 14.7 mi 8.1
ST FRANCIS SCHOOL Clearfield 12.6 mi 6.0
Moshannon Valley JSHS Houtzdale 14.6 mi 6.6
Moshannon Valley El Sch Houtzdale 14.8 mi 6.7
Mountaintop Area El Sch Snow Shoe 14.0 mi 7.5
SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL Clearfield 14.1 mi 6.9
Clearfield Area JSHS Clearfield 14.6 mi 5.2
Clearfield Area El Sch Clearfield 14.6 mi 6.3
Gray's Woods El Sch Port Matilda 17.8 mi 7.5
ST MATTHEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tyrone 21.2 mi
Tyrone Area MS Tyrone 21.2 mi 5.4
Tyrone Area HS Tyrone 21.3 mi 4.5
Tyrone Area El Sch Tyrone 21.4 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16858 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,292

Median Home Value

$165,900

Median Rent

$692/mo

Population

3,953

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

85.7%

Avg Commute

40.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

51

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Branch Area HS has a median household income of $57,292. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,900, with a median rent of $692/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute in the area is 40 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Penns Manor Area JSHS Clymer, PA 7.8
VILLA MARIA ACADEMY Erie, PA 7.8
Cambria Heights SHS Patton, PA 7.7
Jeannette HS Jeannette, PA 7.7
Motivation HS Philadelphia, PA 7.7
Northern Potter JSHS Ulysses, PA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Branch Area HS

What grades does West Branch Area HS serve?

West Branch Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Branch Area HS?

West Branch Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Branch Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at West Branch Area HS is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Branch Area HS rank in PA?

West Branch Area HS is ranked #559 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is West Branch Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

West Branch Area HS has a composite rating of 7.8 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 West Branch Area HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Branch Area HS has 42.9% math proficiency and 63.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Branch Area HS a charter school?

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

Is West Branch Area HS a Title I school?

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

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

99.1% of students at West Branch 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Clearfield County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Branch Area SD
District Enrollment
915
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,400
District Rank
#1 of 3

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

Related 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.