B
Good
76/100

James Buchanan HS

📚 09 – 12 🏫 High School
📍 4773 Fort Loudon Rd, Mercersburg, PA 17236
Overall
B
76/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
B+
Reading 77% · Math 67% proficient · 68th percentile in Pennsylvania
Graduation
C+
87% earn a regular diploma in 4 years
Resources
A+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Pennsylvania schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

76
Repit Score
out of 100
706
Students
enrolled
14.8:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$19K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Academics (reading & math)55%68/100reading 70th percentile, math 67th percentile among Pennsylvania high schools (2018–19 state tests)
🎓 Graduation (4-year, diploma only)25%49/10087% graduate on time with a regular diploma
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)20%92/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 98% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Pennsylvania schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +37 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Pennsylvania. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency77% (+15 pts vs. state avg 62%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency67% (+20 pts vs. state avg 47%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
🎓 Graduation rate87% (−2 pts vs. state avg 89%)
Four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, class of 2020

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Pennsylvania state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White77%62%reading +4 pts, math +2 pts53rd percentile (list)
Low-income75%55%reading +24 pts, math +20 pts80th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 4773 Fort Loudon Rd
City Mercersburg
ZIP Code 17236
District 4222740
NCES School ID 422274006280
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 17236

Understanding the community around James Buchanan HS helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $75,119
Per Capita Income $36,644
Poverty Rate 8.3%
Households Earning $100K+ 34.8%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 21.3%
High School or Higher 89.3%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $230,000
Median Rent $970
Owner-Occupied 77.1%
Renter-Occupied 22.9%
View full data for ZIP 17236 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 17236 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 17236 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for James Buchanan HS.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 91.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.1%
Two or More Races 3.7%
Black 0.9%
Asian 0.3%
American Indian 0.1%
Pacific Islander 0.9%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 706
Teachers (FTE) 47.7
Student:Teacher Ratio 14.8:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for James Buchanan HS?
James Buchanan HS has a Repit School Score of 76 out of 100, earning a grade of B. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, plus the on-time graduation rate, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend James Buchanan HS?
James Buchanan HS has 706 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.8:1.
What grades does James Buchanan HS serve?
James Buchanan HS serves grades 09 – 12 and is classified as a High School. This is a public school.
How much funding does James Buchanan HS receive per student?
James Buchanan HS receives $19,432 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around James Buchanan HS in 17236 ▼
Avg Home Value
$297,062
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,197
1-Year Change
+7.4%
% Renters
22.9%

Other Schools in 17236

View all schools and real estate data for 17236 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026