Summary:
The city of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania is home to 7 schools, including 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools. The schools in the area can be divided into two distinct school districts: Blackhawk School District and Big Beaver Falls Area School District.
Within the Blackhawk School District, Blackhawk High School stands out as a top performer, consistently ranking in the top 25-30% of Pennsylvania high schools with a 4-star rating. The school boasts a high 94% 4-year graduation rate and low 0.2% dropout rate, while also exceeding the state average on Keystone Exams. Similarly, Blackhawk Intermediate School ranks in the top 35% of Pennsylvania elementary schools and outperforms the state average on PSSA Math and English Language Arts tests.
In contrast, the schools in the Big Beaver Falls Area School District face more challenges. While Central Elementary School stands out for its 100% free/reduced lunch eligibility, indicating a high-need student population, the district's overall academic performance lags behind the state averages, particularly in Math. Additionally, Beaver Falls Area Senior High School has a lower 81.9% graduation rate and a higher 2.7% dropout rate compared to the Blackhawk School District schools. Despite the higher per-student spending in the Big Beaver Falls Area School District, the academic outcomes suggest that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership, teacher quality, and community engagement, may be contributing to the performance differences between the two districts.
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