Below Average
#2441 of 2,842 schools in PA
Williams Valley Jshs
High School · Williams Valley SD
10330 State Route 209, Tower City, PA 17980
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tower City
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#544 of 641
In district
#2 of 2
Williams Valley SD
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Williams Valley Jshs
Williams Valley JSHS is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Tower City, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, making it an inclusive learning environment for older middle and high schoolers. With an enrollment of 433 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, Williams Valley JSHS provides a relatively personalized education experience.
The academic performance at Williams Valley JSHS reflects areas where the school is focusing on development. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school has received a score of 3.8 out of 10, placing it in the 19th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. In terms of subject proficiency rates, 43% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA), while only 16% meet proficiency standards in math.
These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth and improvement. While the school faces challenges in test performance, it remains an integral part of the community, offering a supportive environment for its diverse student body. The rural setting provides a unique backdrop where students can benefit from close-knit community ties and personalized attention from teachers.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Williams Valley Jshs 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.
Located in a rural area, Williams Valley Jshs 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 metricsView breakdown
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Williams Valley Jshs — Students at Williams Valley Jshs score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.9%
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
→ 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: 7.1/10.
How Williams Valley Jshs Compares
See how Williams Valley Jshs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 13.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 42.7% (2024).
Location
10330 State Route 209, Tower City, PA 17980
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Williams Valley Jshs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pine Grove Area HS (rated 5.9/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Pine Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northern Lebanon SHS (rated 4.0/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Fredericksburg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Shamokin Area HS (rated 3.7/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Shamokin), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tower City, see our Tower City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Williams Valley El Sch Tower City | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Hegins-Hubley El Sch Valley View | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| SONGBIRD HOLLOW AMISH SCHOOL Hegins | 4.1 mi | — |
| Tri-Valley JSHS Hegins | 5.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Mahantongo El Sch Klingerstown | 7.4 mi | 3.1 |
| SOUTH MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Spring Glen | 6.2 mi | — |
| MAHANTANGO MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Lykens | 9.0 mi | 2.9 |
| Upper Dauphin Area MS Lykens | 9.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Upper Dauphin Area El Sch Lykens | 9.1 mi | 7.5 |
| BLUE MT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jonestown | 12.0 mi | 6.4 |
| JONESTOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL Jonestown | 12.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Northern Lebanon SHS Fredericksburg | 12.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Northumberland County Career and Technology Center Coal Township | 13.9 mi | — |
| Shamokin Area El Sch Coal Township | 13.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Shamokin Area Intermediate Sch Coal Township | 13.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Shamokin Area MS Shamokin | 13.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Shamokin Area HS Shamokin | 13.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Pine Grove El Sch Pine Grove | 10.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Pine Grove Area MS Pine Grove | 10.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Pine Grove Area HS Pine Grove | 10.8 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17980 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,816
Median Home Value
$128,300
Median Rent
$850/mo
Population
3,222
College Educated
13.6%
Homeownership
78.7%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Williams Valley Jshs has a median household income of $69,816. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,300, with a median rent of $850/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaver Falls Area SHS Beaver Falls, PA | 4.7 |
| Cranberry Area JSHS Seneca, PA | 4.7 |
| Franklin Benjamin HS Philadelphia, PA | 4.7 |
| Keystone JSHS Knox, PA | 4.7 |
| Mount Carmel Area HS Mount Carmel, PA | 4.7 |
| St Marys Area SHS Saint Marys, PA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Williams Valley Jshs
What grades does Williams Valley Jshs serve?
Williams Valley Jshs serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Williams Valley Jshs?
Williams Valley Jshs has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Williams Valley Jshs?
The student-teacher ratio at Williams Valley Jshs is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Williams Valley Jshs rank in PA?
Williams Valley Jshs is ranked #2441 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Williams Valley Jshs's MySchoolScout rating?
Williams Valley Jshs has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Williams Valley Jshs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Williams Valley Jshs has 16.3% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Williams Valley Jshs a charter school?
No, Williams Valley Jshs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Williams Valley Jshs a Title I school?
No, Williams Valley Jshs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Williams Valley Jshs?
79.9% of students at Williams 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 433
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 647-2167
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Williams Valley SD- District Enrollment
- 923
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,135
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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