Valley Junior/Senior High School is a public school in New Kensington, Westmoreland County in the state of Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2018–2019 school year, the School reported an enrollment of 792 pupils in grades 9th through 12th.
Serving 885 students in grades 7-12, Valley Jr. Sr. 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 9% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 36% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 885 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 75-79% (Btm 50% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 9% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 36% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Valley Jr. Sr. High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Valley Jr. Sr. High School's student population of 885 students has grown by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 59 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
885 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
59 teachers
Year Founded
1965
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025
School Mascot
Vikings
School Rankings
Valley Jr. Sr. 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 Valley Jr. Sr. High School is 0.67, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2396 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
9%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
5%
Hispanic
3%
15%
Black
35%
14%
White
43%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
18%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
75-79%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Vikings
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Valley Jr. Sr. High School's ranking?
Valley Jr. Sr. High School is ranked #2396 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Valley Jr. Sr. High School often compared to?
Valley Jr. Sr. High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Kiski Area High School, Burrell High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
9% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% PA state average), while 36% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Valley Jr. Sr. High School?
The graduation rate of Valley Jr. Sr. High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Valley Jr. Sr. High School?
885 students attend Valley Jr. Sr. High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
43% of Valley Jr. Sr. High School students are White, 35% of students are Black, 18% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Valley Jr. Sr. High School?
Valley Jr. Sr. High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Valley Jr. Sr. High School offer ?
Valley Jr. Sr. High School offers enrollment in grades 7-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Valley Jr. Sr. High School part of?
Valley Jr. Sr. High School is part of New Kensington-Arnold School District.
School Reviews
Review Valley Jr. Sr. High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.