Pittsburgh-area school districts ranked best in Pennsylvania by Niche website

Several area school districts are included in a Pittsburgh-based research website’s list of top schools in Pennsylvania.

Researchers at Niche examined academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education as well as reviews and other information gathered from users to compile the 2019 Best School Districts rankings. That information — from academics to sports and diversity — was then given a grade.

There are 500 school districts in the state. Local districts that made the top 100 on the website’s Best School Districts in Pennsylvania include:

• 3. Mt. Lebanon

• 6. North Allegheny

• 7. Upper St. Clair

• 10. Fox Chapel Area

• 13. South Fayette

• 18. Quaker Valley

• 24. Hampton

• 42. North Hills

• 45. Pine-Richland

• 49. Greater Latrobe

• 50. Peters Township

• 52. Moon Area

• 62. Franklin Regional

• 70. Montour

• 80. Penn-Trafford

• 84. Seneca Valley

• 87. Hempfield Area

• 91. Baldwin-Whitehall

• 94. Bethel Park

• 95. Avonworth

Among the safest schools in the country — not just in Pennsylvania — Mt. Lebanon was ranked No. 4, while South Fayette came in at No. 12.

As for schools with the best teachers, Mt. Lebanon landed at No. 10, with Upper St. Clair coming in at No. 16, and North Allegheny at No. 21.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.