2 northwestern Pennsylvania high schools ranked among best in state by Money Inc
McDowell ranks 27th in the online finance site's list of the "30 Best High Schools in Pennsylvania." The rankings are based on graduation rate, advanced course participation, standardized test scores, career and technical education, and other academic indicators. Rankings also considered student support services and extracurricular opportunities.
Titusville High School in Crawford County also made the top-schools rankings, at No. 20.
The McDowell High School ranking includes McDowell Intermediate High School. McDowell High School serves students in grades 11 and 12. McDowell Intermediate serves students in grades nine and 10.
"The school has established a reputation for academic excellence and comprehensive educational programs," including a variety of Advanced Placement courses and a S.T.E.M. program preparing students for science and technology careers, Money Inc. said in its report.
Also according to the ranking, the school offers personalized instruction; has a well qualified staff, including many teachers with advanced degrees in their field; and has a number of students accepted at prestigious colleges and universities.
Extracurricular activities, including strong football, basketball and swimming programs, a nationally recognized debate team and award-winning music department also contributed to the ranking.
"This recognition exemplifies our commitment to academic excellence, college and career readiness, active community engagement, and a diverse range of extracurricular activities for students," Millcreek Township School District Superintendent John Cavanagh said.
"Such an achievement is made possible through the dedication of our outstanding students, committed educators, supportive families, strong leadership, and a school board that champions the initiatives contributing to our success."
The ranking will encourage educators to continue to meet and exceed standards, Cavanagh said.
"We are genuinely honored to be included on this list, and recognition such as this motivates us to continue our ongoing efforts toward continuous improvement."
Almost 2,200 students attended McDowell/McDowell Intermediate in 2024-25, according to Pennsylvania Department of Education data.
The school's No. 20 ranking is based on strong personalized education through a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, Advanced Placement and dual enrollment opportunities and strong extracurricular programs, including an acclaimed robotics program.
The school's career education programs also figured strongly in the school's ranking.
Dual enrollment: PennWest offering more low-cost courses to high school students
"The school prides itself on its community involvement and career preparation programs. Students benefit from partnerships with local businesses that provide internship and mentorship opportunities," according to the Money Inc report.
It's an honor to be included in the ranking, Titusville schools Superintendent Stephanie Keebler said.
"I am proud of the work our high school does, especially in preparing our students to succeed in whatever path they choose, whether it's post-secondary education, the military, technical school or simply being an effective employee in a work setting," Keebler said.
"Our high school is a very small rural school, and we do a lot for our students, including providing as many resources as possible to help students succeed."
About 580 students were enrolled at the school in 2024-25.
"It's great to see both Titusville and McDowell honored in northwestern Pennsylvania," Keebler said.
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Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDowell, Titusville ranked among state's best high schools

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