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Very Good

#782 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 28% in state

Wissahickon Shs

High School · Wissahickon SD

521 Houston Rd, Ambler, PA 19002

Enrollment

1,457

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ambler

#2 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#97 of 641

In district

#3 of 6

Wissahickon SD

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Wissahickon Shs

Wissahickon Senior High School serves 1,457 students in grades 9-12 in Ambler, Pennsylvania, consistently ranking among the top high schools in the state. With a ranking of #85 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools, placing it in the 97th percentile, the school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10. The school's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with an impressive 87% of students achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading.

In mathematics, 63% of students demonstrate proficiency or above. These results reflect the dedication of the school's 116 full-time equivalent teachers, who maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, allowing for more personalized attention and support. Wissahickon SHS benefits from its location in an affluent suburban community where educational achievement is highly valued.

The surrounding neighborhood boasts a median household income of $133,519 and a college graduation rate of 65%, creating an environment where academic success is both supported and expected. With a poverty rate of just 3.9%, the community provides stable resources for students to thrive. The school is situated in Montgomery County's large suburban setting, serving families in an established community where median home values reach $499,800.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg+39 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation28.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,825

Wissahickon Shs — Students at Wissahickon Shs score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 76.7%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2021*
Math
81%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
63%
ELA
86.9%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Wissahickon Shs Compares

See how Wissahickon Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
73th percentile in PA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers

Location

521 Houston Rd, Ambler, PA 19002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wissahickon Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maple Glen El Sch (rated 9.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Maple Glen), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fort Washington El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Fort Washington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shady Grove El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ambler, see our Ambler schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Wissahickon MS Ambler 0.2 mi 7.2
Lower Gwynedd El Sch Ambler 0.3 mi 6.5
GWYNEDD-MERCY ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Spring House 0.8 mi 8.0
Upper Dublin HS Fort Washington 2.0 mi 7.5
Fort Washington El Sch Fort Washington 2.1 mi 8.7
Shady Grove El Sch Ambler 2.3 mi 8.4
OUR LADY OF MERCY REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Maple Glen 2.1 mi 6.4
GWYNEDD FRIENDS SCHOOL North Wales 2.6 mi
GWYNEDD FRIENDS SCHOOL North Wales 2.6 mi
Maple Glen El Sch Maple Glen 2.4 mi 9.2
Blue Bell El Sch Blue Bell 2.5 mi 6.7
WHITEMARSH MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Blue Bell 3.3 mi
WHITEMARSH MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Blue Bell 3.3 mi
North Wales El Sch North Wales 3.5 mi 8.2
GODDARD SCHOOL Montgomeryville 4.1 mi
Gwyn-Nor El Sch North Wales 3.9 mi 5.8
Jarrettown El Sch Dresher 3.4 mi 7.5
Pennbrook MS North Wales 4.0 mi 7.7
KIDDIE ACADEMY OF MONTGOMERYVILLE North Wales 4.6 mi
KIDDIE ACADEMY Horsham 3.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,070

Median Home Value

$558,800

Median Rent

$1,605/mo

Population

31,681

College Educated

67.4%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wissahickon Shs has a median household income of $140,070. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $558,800, with a median rent of $1,605/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Perkiomen Valley HS Collegeville, PA 7.3
Peters Twp HS Mcmurray, PA 7.3
West Chester East HS West Chester, PA 7.3
West Chester Henderson HS West Chester, PA 7.3
Hershey HS Hershey, PA 7.2
Marple Newtown SHS Newtown Square, PA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wissahickon Shs

What grades does Wissahickon Shs serve?

Wissahickon Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wissahickon Shs?

Wissahickon Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,457 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wissahickon Shs?

The student-teacher ratio at Wissahickon Shs is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wissahickon Shs rank in PA?

Wissahickon Shs is ranked #782 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Wissahickon Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Wissahickon Shs has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Wissahickon Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wissahickon Shs has 76.7% math proficiency and 67.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wissahickon Shs a charter school?

No, Wissahickon Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wissahickon Shs a Title I school?

No, Wissahickon Shs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wissahickon Shs?

29.4% of students at Wissahickon 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (846/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ambler). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,457
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
116
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wissahickon SD
District Enrollment
5,187
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,655
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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