Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Summary:

Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School is a public high school located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 283 students. The school is part of the Ferndale Area School District, which is ranked 441 out of 610 districts in Pennsylvania and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Pennsylvania high schools, with a ranking between 295 and 541 out of 580-693 schools over the past 10 years. The school's performance on standardized tests is generally below the state average, with proficiency rates in PSSA Math (20.3%), PSSA Science (48.9%), and Keystone Exams in Algebra I (40%), Biology (37.2%), and Literature (57.7%) all lower than the state averages. However, the school's performance on PSSA English Language Arts is closer to the state average, with proficiency rates ranging from 40.5% to 47.7% across different grade levels. The school's four-year graduation rate has been slightly below the state average, ranging from 87.0% to 90.7%, and its dropout rate has been higher than the state average, ranging from 0.6% to 4.1%.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Shade Junior/Senior High School, North Star High School, and Conemaugh Township Area Middle School/Senior High School, Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School performs significantly worse in terms of academic performance, graduation rates, and dropout rates. The nearby Richland High School and Conemaugh Township Area Middle School/Senior High School stand out as particularly high-performing schools, with much higher proficiency rates and state rankings compared to Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 600 Harlan Ave
       Johnstown, PA  15905-3916


(814) 288-5757

District: Ferndale Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
449th of 686 Pennsylvania High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $22,351 Help


Feeder schools for Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School:

Elementary:    Ferndale Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.3 Help
Number of students:  283

Racial breakdown:

White:
77.7%
African American:
9.2%
Two or more races:
7.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  56.9% Help


 See top rated Pennsylvania high schools

 Compare Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School ranks worse than 60.6% of middle schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 42.01. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School ranks worse than 65.5% of high schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 42.78. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (77.7%), African American (9.2%), two or more races (7.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 56.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School is 10.3. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School employs 27.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School is $22,351.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School 540th of 891 Pennsylvania public middle schools. (See Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School 449th of 686 Pennsylvania public high schools. (See Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Ferndale Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Ferndale Area School District 441st of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School?

Rank History for Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 71.43 196th 643 69.5%
2004 79.88 118th 663 82.2%
2005 68.30 244th 687 64.5%
2006 56.06 391st 736 46.9%
2007 32.89 579th 749 22.7%
2008 32.85 577th 753 23.4%
2009 48.74 488th 770 36.6%
2010 55.55 435th 805 46.0%
2011 38.36 610th 825 26.1%
2012 33.40 637th 834 23.6%
2013 36.33 564th 758 25.6%
2014 37.84 526th 728 27.7%
2015 36.57 550th 835 34.1%
2016 42.96 537th 870 38.3%
2017 32.90 597th 877 31.9%
2018 62.97 344th 861 60.0%
2019 48.48 500th 891 43.9%
2021 67.99 234th 797 70.6%
2022 70.41 240th 883 72.8%
2023 61.50 336th 893 62.4%
2024 42.01 540th 891 39.4%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 74.93 150th 874 82.8%
2024 59.34 335th 877 61.8%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 54.84 413th 860 52.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 27.39 625th 870 28.2%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 51.00 305th 681 55.2%
2024 17.55 590th 673 12.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare

Rank History for all high school students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 85.48 68th 583 88.3%
2004 75.74 143rd 590 75.8%
2005 63.72 236th 593 60.2%
2006 67.99 201st 604 66.7%
2007 65.03 241st 615 60.8%
2008 62.36 269th 621 56.7%
2009 50.62 382nd 632 39.6%
2010 72.66 156th 649 76.0%
2011 62.38 294th 660 55.5%
2012 62.69 287th 664 56.8%
2013 59.06 263rd 591 55.5%
2014 56.44 295th 580 49.1%
2015 58.42 367th 680 46.0%
2016 65.47 298th 677 56.0%
2017 55.94 376th 663 43.3%
2018 46.81 453rd 673 32.7%
2019 50.24 429th 693 38.1%
2021 88.41 25th 537 95.3%
2022 17.29 541st 634 14.7%
2023 47.80 398th 674 40.9%
2024 42.78 449th 686 34.5%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 53.79 321st 652 50.8%
2024 40.27 419th 664 36.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 49.51 388th 665 41.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 32.53 472nd 662 28.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 33.34 412th 577 28.6%
2024 29.29 454th 595 23.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, January 24, 2015

Open Quote Ferndale Area Junior-Senior High School is a school on the move. The district continues to make considerable investments back into the academic programming and opportunities - in a consistent effort to propel this high school forward. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 450 6 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 457
1989 433 7 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 441
1990 411 9 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 421
1991 408 12 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 422
1992 388 9 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 399
1993 376 5 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 388
1994 357 6 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 370
1995 379 5 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1996 379 5 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1997 375 10 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 390
1998 370 11 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 384
1999 359 11 3 0 2 n/a n/a 0 375
2000 349 8 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 364
2001 349 8 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 362
2002 314 12 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 331
2003 314 12 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 331
2004 336 12 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 352
2005 334 14 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 351
2006 351 7 1 4 0 n/a n/a 0 363
2007 355 10 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 370
2008 366 13 2 2 2 n/a n/a 0 385
2009 380 19 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 404
2010 346 19 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 372
2011 322 12 3 6 0 0 16 0 359
2012 313 6 1 4 0 0 21 0 345
2013 302 12 2 6 0 0 16 0 338
2014 291 13 2 11 0 0 20 0 337
2015 276 16 3 6 0 0 17 0 318
2016 285 7 2 4 0 0 9 0 307
2017 267 10 1 4 0 0 19 0 301
2018 262 16 1 7 0 0 20 0 306
2019 242 18 0 6 0 0 19 0 285
2020 227 10 0 8 0 0 17 0 262
2021 216 17 2 9 0 0 16 0 260
2022 217 20 2 10 0 0 13 0 262
2023 220 26 2 15 0 0 20 0 283

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 457 29.0 15.7 n/a
1989 441 29.0 15.2 n/a
1990 421 25.8 16.3 0
1991 422 29.1 14.5 n/a
1992 399 28.8 13.8 n/a
1993 388 26.8 14.5 n/a
1994 370 26.8 13.8 n/a
1995 391 26.4 14.8 n/a
1996 391 26.4 14.8 n/a
1997 390 26.4 14.8 n/a
1998 384 26.4 14.5 n/a
1999 375 27.4 13.7 n/a
2000 364 26.4 13.8 39.6
2001 362 26.4 13.7 42.3
2002 331 27.4 12.1 48.3
2003 331 27.4 12.1 48.3
2004 352 27.4 12.8 37.5
2005 351 26.4 13.3 45.6
2006 363 27.5 13.2 52.9
2007 370 27.5 13.5 51.4
2008 385 28.5 13.5 56.1
2009 404 26.9 15.0 46.8
2010 372 28.0 13.2 53
2011 359 27.1 13.2 62.1
2012 345 27.1 12.7 57.7
2013 338 26.9 12.5 58.6
2014 337 26.9 12.4 58.5
2015 318 27.0 11.7 65.7
2016 307 26.0 11.8 70.7
2017 301 28.2 10.6 60.1
2018 306 27.2 11.2 57.2
2019 285 26.7 10.6 63.9
2020 262 26.9 9.7 51.9
2021 260 26.6 9.7 51.2
2022 262 27.3 9.5 50
2023 283 27.3 10.3 56.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 457 29.0 15.7 n/a
1989 441 29.0 15.2 n/a
1990 421 25.8 16.3 0
1991 422 29.1 14.5 n/a
1992 399 28.8 13.8 n/a
1993 388 26.8 14.5 n/a
1994 370 26.8 13.8 n/a
1995 391 26.4 14.8 n/a
1996 391 26.4 14.8 n/a
1997 390 26.4 14.8 n/a
1998 384 26.4 14.5 n/a
1999 375 27.4 13.7 n/a
2000 364 26.4 13.8 39.6
2001 362 26.4 13.7 42.3
2002 331 27.4 12.1 48.3
2003 331 27.4 12.1 48.3
2004 352 27.4 12.8 37.5
2005 351 26.4 13.3 45.6
2006 363 27.5 13.2 52.9
2007 370 27.5 13.5 51.4
2008 385 28.5 13.5 56.1
2009 404 26.9 15.0 46.8
2010 372 28.0 13.2 53
2011 359 27.1 13.2 62.1
2012 345 27.1 12.7 57.7
2013 338 26.9 12.5 58.6
2014 337 26.9 12.4 58.5
2015 318 27.0 11.7 65.7
2016 307 26.0 11.8 70.7
2017 301 28.2 10.6 60.1
2018 306 27.2 11.2 57.2
2019 285 26.7 10.6 63.9
2020 262 26.9 9.7 51.9
2021 260 26.6 9.7 51.2
2022 262 27.3 9.5 50
2023 283 27.3 10.3 56.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $877 (4.1%) $20,330 (95.9%) $21,206
2020 $718 (3.9%) $17,614 (96.1%) $18,332
2021 $3,714 (18.2%) $16,662 (81.8%) $20,376
2022 $2,528 (11.3%) $19,823 (88.7%) $22,351

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 500th of 891 Middle schoolsRanks 336th of 893 Middle schools
 18.5%
Ranks 429th of 693 High schoolsRanks 398th of 674 High schools
 2.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade Math (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)25.718.8
 6.9%
   7th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)38.233.2
 5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)57.155.1
 2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.554.5
 6%
8th Grade Math (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)15.233.3
 18.1%
   8th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)32.226
 6.2%
8th Grade Science (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)63.163.4
 0.3%
   8th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)58.257
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)57.562.8
 5.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)57.952.8
 5.1%
11th Grade Algebra I (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)5027.2
 22.8%
   11th Grade Algebra I (Pennsylvania)63.334.1
 29.2%
11th Grade Biology (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)6954.9
 14.1%
   11th Grade Biology (Pennsylvania)63.250.7
 12.5%
11th Grade Literature (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)66.753.3
 13.4%
   11th Grade Literature (Pennsylvania)71.565.3
 6.2%
All Grades Math (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)19.725.3
 5.6%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)63.163.4
 0.3%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School)57.358.7
 1.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students285283
 0.7%
African American1826
 44.4%
American Indian00
Asian02
Hispanic615
 150%
Pacific Islander00
White242220
 9.1%
Two or More Races1920
 5.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients63.9%56.9%
 7%


Schools Near Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School

Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School ranks 449th of 686 Pennsylvania high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School are 78% White, 9% African American, 7% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic.

Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Ferndale Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 283 students attended Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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