Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

Summary:

Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School is a public high school located in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 662 students. The school is part of the Penns Valley Area School District, which is ranked 78 out of 610 districts in Pennsylvania and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School has consistently ranked among the top high schools in Pennsylvania, with a statewide ranking ranging from 36 to 350 over the past several years. The school's performance on standardized tests, such as the PSSA and Keystone Exams, is generally above the state average, with proficiency rates in PSSA Math, Science, and English Language Arts of 51.1%, 75.3%, and 60.2%, respectively, compared to the state averages of 40.4%, 65.8%, and 53%. The school's four-year graduation rate has remained strong, ranging from 87.0% to 97.9% in recent years, which is higher than the state average. Despite having a significant proportion of low socioeconomic status students, the school has been able to maintain strong academic performance and graduation rates.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Mifflin County High School, State College Area High School, and Central Mountain High School, Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School generally outperforms them in terms of academic performance, graduation rates, and test scores. State College Area High School, located about 18 miles away, is another high-performing school that consistently ranks among the top in the state, often outperforming Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School in certain metrics.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 4545 Penns Valley Road
       Spring Mills, PA  16875-9403


(814) 422-2000

District: Penns Valley Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
142nd of 686 Pennsylvania High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,546 Help


Feeder schools for Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School:

Elementary:    Centre Hall-Potter Elementary School
    Miles Township Elementary School
    Penns Valley Area Elementary and Intrmd School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.9 Help
Number of students:  662

Racial breakdown:

White:
95.6%
Hispanic:
2.6%
African American:
0.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  27.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School ranks better than 86.8% of middle schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 82.86. (See more...)
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Compare Details Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School ranks better than 79.3% of high schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76.98. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Penns Valley 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 (95.6%), Hispanic (2.6%), African American (0.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 27.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School is 13.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School employs 47.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School is $18,546.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School 118th of 891 Pennsylvania public middle schools. (See Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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

SchoolDigger ranks Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School 142nd of 686 Pennsylvania public high schools. (See Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Penns Valley Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Penns Valley Area School District 78th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School?

Rank History for Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 79.25 129th 643 79.9%
2004 73.21 187th 663 71.8%
2005 46.30 446th 687 35.1%
2006 53.52 419th 736 43.1%
2007 58.09 373rd 749 50.2%
2008 51.43 448th 753 40.5%
2009 60.39 355th 770 53.9%
2010 70.98 232nd 805 71.2%
2011 72.99 216th 825 73.8%
2012 75.29 198th 834 76.3%
2013 82.40 87th 758 88.5%
2014 77.00 141st 728 80.6%
2015 66.90 275th 835 67.1%
2016 72.83 221st 870 74.6%
2017 60.30 366th 877 58.3%
2018 61.47 358th 861 58.4%
2019 78.92 163rd 891 81.7%
2021 63.00 279th 797 65.0%
2022 78.00 160th 883 81.9%
2023 87.30 83rd 893 90.7%
2024 82.86 118th 891 86.8%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania High School Rankings!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 82.95 80th 874 90.8%
2024 72.26 176th 877 79.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 75.44 178th 860 79.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Disabled students at Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 68.31 130th 660 80.3%
2024 62.04 167th 672 75.1%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Disabled Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 86.78 84th 870 90.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Male Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 80.04 93rd 681 86.3%
2024 73.08 140th 673 79.2%
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 Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 52.13 339th 583 41.9%
2004 68.00 197th 590 66.6%
2005 34.46 467th 593 21.2%
2006 63.05 253rd 604 58.1%
2007 64.23 253rd 615 58.9%
2008 57.23 320th 621 48.5%
2009 71.65 172nd 632 72.8%
2010 81.50 67th 649 89.7%
2011 71.96 182nd 660 72.4%
2012 85.65 40th 664 94.0%
2013 75.60 120th 591 79.7%
2014 85.47 50th 580 91.4%
2015 81.47 88th 680 87.1%
2016 75.54 161st 677 76.2%
2017 84.03 63rd 663 90.5%
2018 85.41 49th 673 92.7%
2019 82.94 90th 693 87.0%
2021 48.55 350th 537 34.8%
2022 84.41 72nd 634 88.6%
2023 90.61 36th 674 94.7%
2024 76.98 142nd 686 79.3%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania High School Rankings!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 92.88 24th 652 96.3%
2024 72.71 151st 664 77.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 73.48 184th 665 72.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Disabled students at Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 74.66 89th 502 82.3%
2024 41.56 257th 513 49.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Disabled Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 78.65 126th 662 81.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Male Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 86.43 52nd 577 91.0%
2024 69.89 163rd 595 72.6%
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.

Penns Valley 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: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, May 12, 2013

Open Quote Excellent administrators and outstanding teachers make this one of the best school districts in Pennsylvania. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Penns Valley 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 876 5 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 887
1989 825 7 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 837
1990 778 5 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 788
1991 757 6 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 768
1992 752 0 3 2 4 n/a n/a 0 761
1993 733 3 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 741
1994 732 4 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 741
1995 779 3 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 790
1996 779 3 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 790
1997 775 2 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 782
1998 800 2 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 810
1999 798 3 7 0 0 n/a n/a 0 808
2000 762 3 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 770
2001 740 1 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 750
2002 789 3 7 3 1 n/a n/a 0 803
2003 789 3 7 3 1 n/a n/a 0 803
2004 790 4 9 5 1 n/a n/a 0 809
2005 791 3 11 6 0 n/a n/a 0 811
2006 812 2 9 7 1 n/a n/a 0 831
2007 810 6 11 4 0 n/a n/a 0 831
2008 768 7 8 5 1 n/a n/a 0 789
2009 720 8 6 1 1 n/a n/a 0 736
2010 685 6 2 2 2 n/a n/a 0 697
2011 652 7 2 3 1 0 0 0 665
2012 640 4 1 3 3 0 2 0 653
2013 639 3 2 5 2 0 3 0 654
2014 683 9 4 6 2 0 2 0 706
2015 656 5 2 7 1 0 1 0 672
2016 650 5 3 6 2 0 3 0 669
2017 671 6 5 6 3 0 2 0 693
2018 643 5 5 6 2 0 3 0 664
2019 631 3 5 9 1 0 4 0 653
2020 626 7 6 11 1 0 6 0 657
2021 651 6 6 10 1 0 6 0 680
2022 659 6 6 12 0 0 5 0 688
2023 633 5 3 17 0 0 4 0 662

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 Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 887 50.6 17.5 n/a
1989 837 50.2 16.6 n/a
1990 788 50.4 15.6 0
1991 768 51.3 14.9 n/a
1992 761 55.0 13.8 n/a
1993 741 46.5 15.9 n/a
1994 741 47.5 15.6 n/a
1995 790 49.5 16.0 n/a
1996 790 49.5 16.0 n/a
1997 782 49.5 15.8 n/a
1998 810 51.5 15.7 n/a
1999 808 51.5 15.7 n/a
2000 770 54.5 14.1 15.5
2001 750 52.5 14.3 14.8
2002 803 54.5 14.7 13.9
2003 803 54.5 14.7 13.9
2004 809 52.5 15.4 13
2005 811 53.1 15.3 13.8
2006 831 53.0 15.7 19.7
2007 831 55.5 15.0 22.3
2008 789 57.8 13.7 22.4
2009 736 61.4 12.0 24
2010 697 57.1 12.1 22.5
2011 665 53.1 12.5 20
2012 653 50.3 12.9 21.7
2013 654 50.3 13.0 23.4
2014 706 50.5 13.9 29.5
2015 672 50.0 13.4 28.4
2016 669 50.0 13.3 28
2017 693 49.0 14.1 20.9
2018 664 47.7 13.9 24.8
2019 653 48.1 13.5 30.8
2020 657 48.9 13.4 23.6
2021 680 47.7 14.2 24.4
2022 688 50.1 13.7 27.3
2023 662 47.5 13.9 27.8

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 Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 887 50.6 17.5 n/a
1989 837 50.2 16.6 n/a
1990 788 50.4 15.6 0
1991 768 51.3 14.9 n/a
1992 761 55.0 13.8 n/a
1993 741 46.5 15.9 n/a
1994 741 47.5 15.6 n/a
1995 790 49.5 16.0 n/a
1996 790 49.5 16.0 n/a
1997 782 49.5 15.8 n/a
1998 810 51.5 15.7 n/a
1999 808 51.5 15.7 n/a
2000 770 54.5 14.1 15.5
2001 750 52.5 14.3 14.8
2002 803 54.5 14.7 13.9
2003 803 54.5 14.7 13.9
2004 809 52.5 15.4 13
2005 811 53.1 15.3 13.8
2006 831 53.0 15.7 19.7
2007 831 55.5 15.0 22.3
2008 789 57.8 13.7 22.4
2009 736 61.4 12.0 24
2010 697 57.1 12.1 22.5
2011 665 53.1 12.5 20
2012 653 50.3 12.9 21.7
2013 654 50.3 13.0 23.4
2014 706 50.5 13.9 29.5
2015 672 50.0 13.4 28.4
2016 669 50.0 13.3 28
2017 693 49.0 14.1 20.9
2018 664 47.7 13.9 24.8
2019 653 48.1 13.5 30.8
2020 657 48.9 13.4 23.6
2021 680 47.7 14.2 24.4
2022 688 50.1 13.7 27.3
2023 662 47.5 13.9 27.8

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 Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $628 (3.6%) $16,927 (96.4%) $17,555
2020 $938 (5.4%) $16,461 (94.6%) $17,399
2021 $5,454 (29.0%) $13,332 (71.0%) $18,786
2022 $1,222 (6.6%) $17,325 (93.4%) $18,546

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Penns Valley 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 163rd of 891 Middle schoolsRanks 83rd of 893 Middle schools
 9%
Ranks 90th of 693 High schoolsRanks 36th of 674 High schools
 7.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade Math (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)44.657
 12.4%
   7th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)38.233.2
 5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)74.268.1
 6.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.554.5
 6%
8th Grade Math (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)4245.7
 3.7%
   8th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)32.226
 6.2%
8th Grade Science (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)74.273.1
 1.1%
   8th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)58.257
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)68.869.1
 0.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)57.952.8
 5.1%
11th Grade Algebra I (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)80.464.2
 16.2%
   11th Grade Algebra I (Pennsylvania)63.334.1
 29.2%
11th Grade Biology (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)80.873.7
 7.1%
   11th Grade Biology (Pennsylvania)63.250.7
 12.5%
11th Grade Literature (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)88.383.3
 5%
   11th Grade Literature (Pennsylvania)71.565.3
 6.2%
All Grades Math (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)43.451.4
 8%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)74.273.1
 1.1%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School)71.968.6
 3.3%
   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 Students653662
 1.4%
African American35
 66.7%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian53
 40%
Hispanic917
 88.9%
Pacific Islander00
White631633
 0.3%
Two or More Races44
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients30.8%27.8%
 3%


Schools Near Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School

Students at Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School are 96% White, 3% Hispanic.

Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School ranks 142nd of 686 Pennsylvania high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 662 students attended Penns Valley 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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