Bethlehem-Center School District

The Bethlehem-Center School District in Pennsylvania operates three schools: Bethlehem-Center Elementary School, Bethlehem-Center Senior High School, and Bethlehem-Center Middle School. The district serves a predominantly white student population, with some notable differences in academic performance and resource allocation across the schools.

Bethlehem-Center Elementary School stands out with relatively high PSSA Math and ELA proficiency rates, as well as above-average PSSA Science scores, particularly in the lower grades. The school also has a lower student-to-teacher ratio compared to the other schools in the district. In contrast, Bethlehem-Center Senior High School has a high 4-year graduation rate and low dropout rate, but its Keystone Exam proficiency rates, especially in Algebra I, are significantly lower than the state averages. Bethlehem-Center Middle School stands out with higher PSSA ELA and Science proficiency rates, but it also has the lowest per-student spending in the district.

The data reveals concerning disparities in test scores, with the high school struggling on Keystone Exams compared to the stronger performance on PSSA tests at the elementary and middle school levels. Socioeconomic factors, such as the higher free and reduced lunch rates at the middle and elementary schools, may be contributing to these achievement gaps. Additionally, the significant difference in per-student spending across the schools suggests a need for more equitable resource allocation within the district. Overall, the Bethlehem-Center School District has both areas of strength and opportunities for improvement to ensure all students receive a high-quality education.