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Samuel Patterson HouseSamuel Patterson House · Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Derry Township · Derry Area School District

Derry Township’s public schools outscore 69% of Pennsylvania districts

65% of students in Derry Township’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Pennsylvania average (55%). The grade covers the public school district serving Derry Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.

#441of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
65%
▲ 10 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
42%
▲ 6 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.3K
▼ 21% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.7
PA 13.4 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
1,791 students on the public path
In brief

Derry Township’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1947 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Derry Township’s, its schools beat 74%, higher than their 69% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 65% and math 42% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,278 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Derry Area MS, then Derry Area SHS. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Bible Baptist Christian Academy (private) and Grace Bible Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Derry Township’s grade

A− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B+: better than 69% of Pennsylvania school districts, #441 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 69%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1947)Better than 74%
Towns in Westmoreland County (21)Better than 62%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 956 test results and a graduating class of 143 could put Derry Township anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Derry Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (934 in math, 979 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Derry Township, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Grandview El SchDerry Area School DistrictB
6–8Derry Area MSDerry Area School DistrictB−
9–12Derry Area SHSDerry Area School DistrictA+

Derry Township’s public schools are run by Derry Area School District, which also serves Derry and New Alexandria. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Derry Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 3 schools · 1,791 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 12.7 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$17,278PA $21,758 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading65%
State average 55.1% · 979 students tested
Math42%
State average 36.1% · 934 students tested

Derry Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Derry Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Derry TownshipB+Derry Area
UnityAGreater Latrobe
LatrobeAGreater Latrobe
BurrellBBlairsville-Saltsburg
LigonierBLigonier Valley
FairfieldBLigonier Valley
ConemaughBBlairsville-Saltsburg
SalemB−Greensburg Salem
LoyalhannaBBlairsville-Saltsburg
Black LickBBlairsville-Saltsburg
New Alexandria—Derry Area

Every school in Derry Township

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Derry Townshipby address
Grandview El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Derry
B
753 students13:1Rate it →
Derry Area MS
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Derry
B−
440 students12:1Rate it →
Derry Area SHS
High · Grades 9–12 · Derry
A+
598 students13:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Bible Baptist Christian Academy
Grades K–12 · Latrobe
Private · Religious
90 students8:1Rate it →
Grace Bible Academy
Grades PK–12 · Bradenville
Private · Religious
77 students8:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center).

Questions about Derry Township’s schools

Are Derry Township’s schools good?

By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools Derry Township children attend outscore 69% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #441 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Derry Township in?

Derry Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,791 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Derry Township kids go to high school?

Derry Area SHS in Derry, with 598 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Derry Township’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Derry Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Derry Township spend per student?

$17,278 in Derry Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Derry Township?

Yes: Bible Baptist Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 90 students) and Grace Bible Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 77 students).

Parents talk

What Derry Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Derry Township → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.