Mt. Lebanon, Greater Latrobe ranked top school districts in Pittsburgh area, Westmoreland

Greater Latrobe is tops in Westmoreland County and among the best school districts across the state, according to the latest rankings in several categories on Niche.com.

The Pittsburgh-based site calculates its rankings based on reviews by students and parents and data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with factors including state test scores, graduation rates and teacher quality.

Niche ranked Mt. Lebanon as the top school district in the Pittsburgh area and 4th best in Pennsylvania.

Among 17 Westmoreland districts, Greater Latrobe ranked first overall for 2020. It also was deemed best for athletes, the best place to teach and is credited with having the best teachers.

Greater Latrobe ranked second, behind Burrell, as the safest district in the county. According to the site, half of each district’s safety score is based on results of parent and student surveys. Also considered were expenses per student, absenteeism, expulsions, law-enforcement referrals and school-related arrests.

Greater Latrobe was among the top 5% of Pennsylvania’s 497 districts in three categories — best teachers (23rd), safety (24th) and athletes (26th). It ranked 42nd for best overall district in the state.

Athletic Director Mark Mears pointed to the 2013 construction of the athletic complex at the high school as a turning point in district sports programs that contributed to the Niche.com ranking in that area.

“The reasoning behind the athletic complex was, ‘What would we have to do to help our kids in extra-curricular activities?’ ” Mears said.

“Ten years ago, we had one athlete playing three sports,” he said, noting participation has since increased, with at least 20% of district athletes playing two sports. “I’m very proud of this accomplishment. Now, we need to sustain it.”

Niche.com awarded Greater Latrobe an overall “A” grade based on academics, teachers, administration, food services, college preparedness, health and safety, sports, clubs and activities, resources and facilities, and diversity. Individually in the latter category, the district rated only a “C.”