According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the high school reported an enrollment of 417 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 126 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 36 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 20 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. In 2012, South Side High School ranked 55th out of 105 high schools in the western Pennsylvania region. In 2011, South Side High School ranked 62nd. In 2010, South Side High School's 11th grade ranked 67th out of 105 western Pennsylvania high schools based on three years of results in PSSAs on: reading, math writing and science. In 2010 and 2011, South Side High School achieved AYP status. 11th Grade Reading
2011 - 70% on grade level,. State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2010 - 72%. State - 66%
2009 - 52%. State - 65%
2008 - 67%. State - 65%
2007 - 59%. State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2011 - 57% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2010 - 72%. State - 59%
2009 - 43%. State - 56%.
2008 - 62%. State - 56%
2007 - 70%. State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
2011 - 47% on grade level. State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2010 - 49%. State - 39%
2009 - 41%. State - 40%
2008 - 45%. State - 39%
College remediation rate
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 16% of South Side High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Dual enrollment
The high school offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. By state law, the courses count towards both high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. South Side Area School District denies the credits earned at higher ed institutions to count towards graduation requirements. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $16,746 for the program.
From January to June 2011, 52 South Side Area students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 509. The Math average score was 513. The Writing average score was 501. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.
AP courses
South Side High School offers the following Advanced Placement courses: AP U.S. Government & Politics, AP U.S. History, AP Economics, AP Psychology, AP World History, AP Language & Composition, AP Literature & Composition, AP Computer Science A, AP Music Theory, AP Statistics, and AP Spanish. Students who achieve a 3 or higher on the College Board's exam may receive college credits at the higher education institution of their choice.
Graduation requirements
The South Side School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25 credits to graduate, including: Mathematics 3 credits, English - 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 3 credits, including Biology and Physical Science, Physical Education/Health - 2.5 credits, Computer - 2 credits, Driver's Education and electives 9 credits. In the senior year the student must earn one additional credit in either math, science or social studies. Additionally, students must demonstrate at least proficiency on the PSSA tests or other alternative assessment. Freshmen students must accumulate 7 credits to move to sophomore status. By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade. In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
