Needs Improvement
#2774 of 2,842 schools in PA
William Allen HS
High School · Allentown City SD
106 N 17th St, Allentown, PA 18104
Enrollment
2,984
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
3.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,984
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
3.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Allentown
#33 of 34
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#628 of 641
In district
#20 of 21
Allentown City SD
About William Allen HS
William Allen High School serves 2,984 students in grades 9-12 in Allentown, Pennsylvania's 18104 ZIP code. This large public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1 with 154 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth across core subjects.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 40% of students demonstrate proficiency or above, while mathematics shows 10% proficiency rates. With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 and ranking at #2683 out of 2852 Pennsylvania high schools, William Allen HS is working to strengthen academic outcomes for its diverse student body. The school draws from a community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $83,861.
The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 7.8% and median home values of $280,800, reflecting a middle-income area with educational aspirations for its youth. Located at 106 N 17th Street, William Allen High School sits in the heart of Allentown, a mid-size city that provides students with urban experiences and community connections within Lehigh County.
What Parents Should Know
William Allen HS is a large school with 2,984 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
While current test scores at William Allen HS are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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William Allen HS — Students at William Allen HS score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
102.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 6.9/10.
How William Allen HS Compares
See how William Allen HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 29% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
106 N 17th St, Allentown, PA 18104
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William Allen HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kratzer Sch (rated 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN VIANNEY REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Allentown, see our Allentown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHN VIANNEY REGIONAL SCHOOL Allentown | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Francis D Raub MS Allentown | 0.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Union Terrace El Sch Allentown | 0.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Jackson Early Childhood Center Allentown | 0.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Luis A. Ramos El Sch Allentown | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch Allentown | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Trexler MS Allentown | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Muhlenberg El Sch Allentown | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| CAI LEARNING ACADEMY Allentown | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Central El Sch Allentown | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| GRACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Allentown | 1.0 mi | — |
| Washington El Sch Allentown | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Allentown | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Lehigh Parkway El Sch Allentown | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Arts Academy Elementary CS Allentown | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Building 21 Allentown Allentown | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Jefferson El Sch Allentown | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Roberto Clemente CS Allentown | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL Allentown | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Kratzer Sch Allentown | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,279
Median Home Value
$296,800
Median Rent
$1,620/mo
Population
47,999
College Educated
44.8%
Homeownership
69.6%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding William Allen HS has a median household income of $94,279. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,800, with a median rent of $1,620/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Norristown Area HS Norristown, PA | 3.3 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area HS Plains, PA | 3.7 |
| Altoona Area HS Altoona, PA | 3.8 |
| Emmaus HS Emmaus, PA | 3.8 |
| Erie HS Erie, PA | 3.0 |
| Hazleton Area HS Hazle Township, PA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William Allen HS
What grades does William Allen HS serve?
William Allen HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend William Allen HS?
William Allen HS has an enrollment of approximately 2,984 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William Allen HS?
The student-teacher ratio at William Allen HS is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William Allen HS rank in PA?
William Allen HS is ranked #2774 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is William Allen HS's MySchoolScout rating?
William Allen HS has a composite rating of 3.5 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 William Allen HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Allen HS has 21.4% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William Allen HS a charter school?
No, William Allen HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William Allen HS a Title I school?
No, William Allen HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Allen HS?
102.1% of students at William Allen 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
- Walk Score
- 88 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 40 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 50 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,850/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Allentown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,984
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 154
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 102.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Lehigh County
- Phone
- (484) 765-5001
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Allentown City SD- District Enrollment
- 16,510
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,007
- District Rank
- #20 of 21
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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