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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.7%
Math vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.3 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness2.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,565

Williams Valley Jshs — Students at Williams Valley Jshs score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.3%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 43.5%
School
State
56.1%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
19%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
15.4%
ELA
42.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.7/10
14th percentile in PA
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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