Summary:
The city of Ambridge, Pennsylvania is home to two schools: Ambridge Area High School and Highland Elementary School, both part of the Ambridge Area School District. These schools serve a high-need student population, with both reporting extremely high free/reduced lunch rates exceeding 92%.
Academically, both schools are performing significantly below state averages on standardized tests. Ambridge Area High School has a low statewide ranking and proficiency rates ranging from just 18.4% to 64.9% on Keystone Exams. Similarly, Highland Elementary School has a low statewide ranking and proficiency rates between 22.3% and 60.5% on PSSA exams. Despite the low academic performance, the schools are spending relatively high amounts per student, $14,736 for the high school and $15,488 for the elementary school.
While the student-teacher ratios are relatively low, with 19.3 students per teacher at the high school and 12.2 students per teacher at the elementary school, this does not appear to be driving improved outcomes. Addressing the root causes of the low academic performance, such as resource allocation, instructional practices, and support for students, will be crucial for improving outcomes for the students in this community.
Thank you for your feedback!