Best Public Schools in Zip Code 15612

The 15612 zip code area is home to two schools - Southmoreland Senior High School and Southmoreland Primary Center, both part of the Southmoreland School District. While the primary center serves younger students with a focus on early childhood education, the high school faces challenges in academic performance and student diversity.

At the high school, there is a concerning lack of racial diversity, with 94.86% of students identifying as white. Additionally, the school's performance on Keystone Exams, a critical state assessment, is well below the state average, particularly in Algebra I (4.8% proficiency vs. 34.1% state average) and Literature (59.5% vs. 65.3%). The school's 4-year graduation rate of 89.6% is also lower than the state average. In contrast, the primary center serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 66.67% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 41.78% at the high school.

While the primary center has a higher per-student spending ($14,146) and a smaller student-teacher ratio (12.7) compared to the high school ($12,475 and 15.2, respectively), the data suggests that the district as a whole may be facing challenges in maintaining academic excellence. The high school's statewide ranking has dropped significantly in recent years, from 173 to 446, indicating a need for targeted interventions and support to improve educational outcomes for all students in the Southmoreland School District.