Best Public Schools in Zip Code 16121

The 16121 zip code area is home to two underperforming schools, Farrell Area Elementary School/LMS and Farrell Area High School/UMS, both of which are part of the Farrell Area School District. These schools consistently rank in the bottom quartile of their respective school types in Pennsylvania, with low test scores, high rates of economic disadvantage, and potential equity issues for minority students.

Both schools have significantly lower proficiency rates on PSSA Math, Science, and English Language Arts tests compared to the state averages. For example, at Farrell Area Elementary, only 16.8% of students were proficient or better in PSSA Math, compared to the state average of 39.3%. At Farrell Area High School, the proficiency rates were even lower, with only 5.9% of students proficient or better in PSSA Math. The schools also have 1-star ratings from SchoolDigger, indicating their poor performance.

Despite the high per-student spending and small class sizes at both schools, the data suggests that resources may not be the primary issue. The schools' consistently low rankings and the high rates of economic disadvantage, with over 95% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, point to the need for a comprehensive, data-driven approach to address the underlying factors contributing to the schools' underperformance. This may include a closer examination of instructional practices, curriculum, and support services to improve educational outcomes for the students in this community.