West Allegheny High School was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2023 for being an Exemplary High Performing school. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U.S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels.  The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Donaldson Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2014 for being an Exemplary High Performing school. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U.S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels.  The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Recognized as a ‘Lighthouse’ district by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, in partnership with the Successful Practices Network West Allegheny's designation was awarded within the category of Future Ready Learners: Differentiated Targeted Supports and Focus on Removing Barriers.  As one of only 13 systems nationwide to earn an excellence distinction, it recognizes West Allegheny’s Early College In High School Academy (ECIHSA) as a model of positive change for other districts.

2022

For the sixth consecutive year, West Allegheny High School was recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Best High School.  West Allegheny ranked in the top 4% of the nation at 1,014 out of 25,000 high schools, in the top 4% in the state at 28 out of 740, and ranked 11th out of 140 in the region. These rankings are based on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates.

2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023 - 2024

WAMS ranked in the top 2% in the state of Pennsylvania at 47th (out of over 2,100).

Donaldson Elementary School
Donaldson ranked in the top 1% in the state at 14th (out of 3,000).

McKee Elementary School
McKee ranked in the top 3% in the state at 94th (out of 3,000). 

Wilson ranked in the top 2% in the state at 38th (out of 3,000).

West Allegheny School District is proud to be recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times Honor Roll ranking of regional school districts for the 2024 Guide to Southwestern Pennsylvania Schools.  The ranking looks at three years of state standardized test scores and ranks 105 regional school districts from highest scoring to lowest based on Pittsburgh Business Times calculations.  The regional rankings include districts in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.

In 2024, West Allegheny School District ranked 12^th out of 105 regional school districts.

In 2024, West Allegheny School District Grade 4 ranked 6^th and Grade 5 ranked 6^th out of 105 regional districts.

In 2022, West Allegheny Middle School was one of only four Middle Grades Schools in Pennsylvania re-designated for the first time as PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch.” This distinction is part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. The designated schools were reviewed and selected for their Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity and Organizational Structures and Processes. In addition, each school demonstrates strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.

West Allegheny School District has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association as an Outstanding Visual Arts Community for its visual arts education opportunities for all students.  Districts receiving this endorsement demonstrate the importance of their visual arts programs for being:
  -Rigorous and Inclusive
  -Highly Accessible

  -Highly Visible 

2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023

West Allegheny is the recipient of a Best Communities for Music Education Award.  The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation has recognized the West Allegheny community for the outstanding efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who are making music part of a well-rounded education for every child. The award recognizes the commitment of the community, so every child can learn and grow with music.

  2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022 - 2023 - 2024

 

Niche rankings include data for 92,743 public schools, 30,112 private schools, and 11,820 school districts nationwide.  While traditional rankings rely almost exclusively on metrics like test scores and academic performance, Niche’s rankings combine user input — ratings from current students, alumni, and parents — with quantitative data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activity opportunities and more. 

West Allegheny continues to move up in the Niche rankings coming in at #20 out of 79 in the region with an overall grade of A-. 

The Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater recognize and encourage student achievement and to focus the attention of the community and school districts on the importance of musical theater and arts education.  These awards celebrate the power of the Arts to significantly improve all areas of education. 

West Allegheny has participated in the Gene Kelly Awards program since 2012. As of 2022, WA musicals have earned 46 nominations resulting in seven awards. WA has received six Best Musical Nominations - 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2022 - with a Best Musical Award in 2014 for Catch Me If You Can. Outstanding individual performances are recognized through the Best Actor and Best Actress nominations and awards. WA has received three Best Actor nominations----Ryan Borgo in 2013 and Ryan Borgo and Tom Currey in 2013 - with Ryan receiving the award in 2014 for his performance in Catch Me If You Can. WA has also received four Best Actress nominations - Kaylee Wallace in 2015, Chloe Kehm in 2017, Sydney Campbell in 2018, and Gracie Campbell in 2021 - with Chloe receiving the award in 2017 for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie. 

West Allegheny High School has been named to the AP^® School Honor Roll, which recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.

2023