James Buchanan High School

4773 Fort Loudon Rd
Mercersburg, PA 17236
(School attendance zone shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 735 students in grades 9-12, James Buchanan 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 21-39% (which is approximately equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-54% (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 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 735 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 9%
  • : 85-89% (Btm 50% in PA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 21-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 50-54% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

School Overview

James Buchanan High School's student population of 735 students has grown by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 48 teachers has grown by 6% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
735 students
This chart displays total students of James Buchanan High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of James Buchanan High School
Total Classroom Teachers
48 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of James Buchanan High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of James Buchanan High School by grade.

School Rankings

James Buchanan 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 James Buchanan High School is 0.17, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.58. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (PA)
#1797 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of James Buchanan High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
21-39%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of James Buchanan High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
50-54%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of James Buchanan High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
45-49%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of James Buchanan High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
13:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of James Buchanan High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in James Buchanan High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
3%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in James Buchanan High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
1%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in James Buchanan High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
91%
62%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in James Buchanan High School and the percentage of White public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in James Buchanan High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in James Buchanan High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Pennsylvania.
0.17
This chart displays the diversity score of James Buchanan High School and the public school average diversity score of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
85-89%
87%
This chart displays graduation rate of James Buchanan High School and public school graduation rate of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
93%
54%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in James Buchanan High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
2%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in James Buchanan High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is James Buchanan High School's ranking?
James Buchanan High School is ranked #1797 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are James Buchanan High School often compared to?
James Buchanan High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Greencastle-antrim Sr. High School, Chambersburg Area Sr. High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
21-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 50-54% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of James Buchanan High School?
The graduation rate of James Buchanan High School is 85-89%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend James Buchanan High School?
735 students attend James Buchanan High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
91% of James Buchanan High School students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of James Buchanan High School?
James Buchanan High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does James Buchanan High School offer ?
James Buchanan High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is James Buchanan High School part of?
James Buchanan High School is part of Tuscarora School District.

School Reviews

1   11/19/2018
This school had lied on many things including the amount of bulling that goes on here. Unless your child is into sports ....they will struggle, they will be bullied...something that has happend time and time again, that had been reported time and time again yet does not get reported by the school district itself, which is why the #s ...do not tell the truth of This school....
- Posted by Parent - Liz

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 735 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 9%
  • : 85-89% (Btm 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 21-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 50-54% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

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