New Castle Area School District

The New Castle Area School District in Pennsylvania consists of 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The data reveals a district facing significant challenges in terms of student academic achievement and socioeconomic factors.

The Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center stands out with its high-need student population, as indicated by 100% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. While the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, its statewide ranking is quite low, with a 1-star rating. In contrast, the New Castle Senior High School has a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 87.5%, but its academic performance, as measured by Keystone Exam proficiency rates, is significantly below the state average across all subjects.

Across the district, the schools have consistently low academic performance, with proficiency rates well below the Pennsylvania benchmarks. Additionally, the extremely high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 99.58% to 100%, suggest that the student population faces significant socioeconomic challenges. The relatively high spending per student, coupled with the low academic performance, raises questions about the effective allocation of resources and the need for targeted interventions to address the underlying issues and drive meaningful improvements in the district.