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Tarentum from 366 BridgePhoto: Nyttend · Public domain
C
Schools in Tarentum · Highlands School District

Tarentum’s public schools score below 73% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Tarentum’s districts is 29%, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Tarentum, 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.

#913of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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
45%
▼ 10 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
29%
▼ 7 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 4–8 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.5K
▼ 10% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.3
PA 13.4 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
2,004 students on the public path
In brief

Tarentum’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 617 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Tarentum’s, its schools beat 18%, lower than their 27% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania (the state reports Tarentum’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,508 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 1 the district’s path is Highlands El Sch, then Highlands MS, then Highlands SHS. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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 Tarentum’s grade

C Test scoresD Graduation

C: better than 27% of Pennsylvania school districts, #913 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 27%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (617)Better than 18%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,027 test results and a graduating class of 169 could put Tarentum anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Tarentum’s students in the tested grades sat them (996 in math, 1,058 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–KHighlands Early Childhood Centerin BrackenridgeNo scores
1–4Highlands El SchHighlands School DistrictC+
5–8Highlands MSin Natrona HeightsC
9–12Highlands SHSin Natrona HeightsA−

Tarentum’s public schools are run by Highlands School District, which also serves Brackenridge, Fawn and Harrison. 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.

Highlands School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 2,004 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 12.3 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$19,508PA $21,758 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading45%
State average 55.1% · 1058 students tested
Math29%
State average 36.1% · 996 students tested

Tarentum vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
TarentumCHighlands
HarrisonCHighlands
East DeerA−Deer Lakes
FawnCHighlands
FrazerA−Deer Lakes
New KensingtonC−New Kensington-Arnold
BrackenridgeCHighlands
Lower BurrellB+Burrell

3 of the 7 neighbors share Highlands with Tarentum, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Tarentum

4 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 Tarentumby address
Highlands El Sch
Elementary · Grades 1–4
C+
559 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Tarentumin other towns
Highlands Early Childhood Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K · Brackenridge
205 students15:1Rate it →
Highlands MS
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Natrona Heights
C
575 students10:1Rate it →
Highlands SHS
High · Grades 9–12 · Natrona Heights
A−
665 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Tarentum’s schools

Are Tarentum’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Tarentum children attend score below 73% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #913 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Tarentum in?

Highlands School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,004 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Tarentum kids go to high school?

Highlands SHS in Natrona Heights, with 665 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Tarentum’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Highlands School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Tarentum spend per student?

$19,508 in Highlands School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Tarentum families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tarentum → 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.