Northwest Area High School

243 Thorne Hill Rd
Shickshinny, PA 18655
(School attendance zone shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 416 students in grades 7-12, Northwest Area High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 20-24% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 55-59% (which is approximately equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 416 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 4%
  • : 90-94% (Top 50% in PA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 20-24% (Btm 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Northwest Area High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Northwest Area High School's student population of 416 students has declined by 12% over five school years.
The teacher population of 36 teachers has declined by 7% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
416 students
This chart displays total students of Northwest Area High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Northwest Area High School
Total Classroom Teachers
36 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Northwest Area High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Northwest Area High School by grade.

School Rankings

Northwest Area High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Northwest Area High School is 0.08, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.58. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (PA)
#1774 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Northwest Area High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
20-24%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Northwest Area High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
55-59%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Northwest Area High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
55-59%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Northwest Area High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
13:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Northwest Area High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Northwest Area High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
Hispanic
2%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Northwest Area High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
1%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Northwest Area High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
96%
62%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Northwest Area High School and the percentage of White public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Northwest Area High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Northwest Area High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Pennsylvania.
0.08
This chart displays the diversity score of Northwest Area High School and the public school average diversity score of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
90-94%
87%
This chart displays graduation rate of Northwest Area High School and public school graduation rate of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
38%
54%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Northwest Area High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Northwest Area High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Northwest Area High School's ranking?
Northwest Area High School is ranked #1774 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Northwest Area High School often compared to?
Northwest Area High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like G A R Middle School, Lake-lehman Jr. Sr. High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 55-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Northwest Area High School?
The graduation rate of Northwest Area High School is 90-94%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Northwest Area High School?
416 students attend Northwest Area High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
96% of Northwest Area High School students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Northwest Area High School?
Northwest Area High School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Northwest Area High School offer ?
Northwest Area High School offers enrollment in grades 7-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Northwest Area High School part of?
Northwest Area High School is part of Northwest Area School District.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 416 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 4%
  • : 90-94% (Top 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 20-24% (Btm 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

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