Below Average
#2463 of 2,846 schools in PA
William Penn Shs
High School · York City SD
101 W College Ave, York, PA 17403
Enrollment
1,611
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,611
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,463 of 2,846
In York
#36 of 39
public schools
In district
#9 of 9
York City SD
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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William Penn Shs
High School in York · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holy Trinity Catholic School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Logos Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About William Penn Shs
William Penn Shs is a public high school in York, PA, part of York City SD. William Penn Shs serves approximately 1,611 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. William Penn Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,463 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for William Penn Shs show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- PA avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at William Penn Shs sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
64% of students at William Penn Shs were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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William Penn Shs — Students at William Penn Shs score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How William Penn Shs Compares
See how William Penn Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
101 W College Ave, York, PA 17403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William Penn Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. YORK COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LOGOS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KEYSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY - YORK (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in York, see our York schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL York | 0.1 mi | 7.1 |
| LOGOS ACADEMY York | 0.2 mi | 7.9 |
| McKinley Sch York | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| York Academy Regional CS York | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Crispus Attucks CS York | 0.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Jackson Sch York | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| KEYSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY - YORK York | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Hannah Penn York | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Lincoln CS York | 0.7 mi | 2.4 |
| Ferguson Sch York | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Goode Sch York | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| GRACE WORDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY York | 0.9 mi | — |
| YORK COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL York | 1.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Devers Sch York | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy York | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| TIDINGS OF PEACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL York | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Indian Rock El Sch York | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Davis Sch York | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| West York Area MS York | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Valley View El Sch York | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,233
Median Home Value
$206,900
Median Rent
$1,072/mo
Population
40,272
College Educated
31.8%
Homeownership
63.1%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
38.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| 21st Century Cyber CS West Chester, PA | 4.2 |
| Fels Samuel HS Philadelphia, PA | 4.2 |
| McKeesport Area SHS Mckeesport, PA | 4.3 |
| Truman SHS Levittown, PA | 4.3 |
| Achievement House CS Exton, PA | 4.0 |
| Butler Area SHS Butler, PA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William Penn Shs
What grades does William Penn Shs serve?
William Penn Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend William Penn Shs?
William Penn Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,611 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William Penn Shs?
The student-teacher ratio at William Penn Shs is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William Penn Shs rank in PA?
William Penn Shs ranks #2,463 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is William Penn Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
William Penn Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 William Penn Shs?
Based on loaded state assessment records, William Penn Shs has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is William Penn Shs a charter school?
No, William Penn Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William Penn Shs a Title I school?
No, William Penn Shs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Penn Shs?
99.9% of students at William Penn Shs qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,611
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 99
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- York County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 63.5%
- Phone
- (717) 849-1218
- 4-Year Graduation
- 63.0%
Resources & Links
District
York City SD- District Enrollment
- 6,232
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,156
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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