PA School Performance Profile: How Phoenixville Compares

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Results from the statewide School Performance Profiles have been published by the Department of Education, and the results from Phoenixville are good.

The high school's overall academic score, which factors in test scores and school performance data from all categories, remained strong at 80.8 out of 100 possible points. That places Phoenixville as slightly above average compared to the region.

The school struggled most with Math, seeing its scores drop from 71 percent proficiency last year to 69 this year. Literature remained strong at 78 (79 last year), while Science was lower at 70 (67 last year).

The assessment, done each year, gives each school a score of up to 100 using several factors, including test scores, student improvement from the past year, as well as graduation rates. The standardized tests measure student performance and help lawmakers understand progress in various school districts. The published test results analyze performance among the student body as a whole and among students in the "historically underperforming" category, which includes students with disabilities, English language learners, and those who come from an economically disadvantaged background.

Phoenixville's strongest marks came in other categories: SAT readiness was scored at 100, and both Literature and Science received very high marks (93 and 100) in the "closing the achievement gap" categories.

Graduation rates at Phoenixville remained strong, coming in at 94.78 this year, as compared to 94.05 last year.

See how Phoenixville's overall academic score compared to area high schools below:

• Spring-Ford - 97.3
• North Penn - 89.9
• Abington - 89.6
• Phoenixville - 80.8
• Norristown - 68.8
• Hatboro-Horsham - 67.8

Standardized exams have been a point of contention in the state, especially over the past year. Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera said that starting with the 2017-18 school year, required time to take the PSSA's would be decreased by two days.

"High-stakes testing does not tell the full story and the Department is taking several actions to better communicate student progress in our schools," Rivera added.

Patch file photo