Photo: Andrew Bossi · CC BY-SA 2.5Akron’s public schools score below 53% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Akron, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.
From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Akron’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 2045 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Akron’s, its schools beat 34%, lower than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 37% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,352 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Ephrata MS, then Ephrata SHS. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Akron’s grade
B−: better than 47% of Pennsylvania school districts, #696 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Graduation is above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Akron, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Akron
Akron El Sch
Grades K–4 · 276 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Akron
Akron El Sch
Grades K–4 · 276 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Akron
Akron El Sch
Grades K–4 · 276 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Akron
Akron El Sch
Grades K–4 · 276 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Akron
Akron El Sch
Grades K–4 · 276 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Akron
Ephrata Intermediate Sch
Grades 5–6 · 568 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Ephrata
6th grade in Akron
Ephrata Intermediate Sch
Grades 5–6 · 568 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Ephrata
9th grade in Akron
Ephrata SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,347 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Ephrata
10th grade in Akron
Ephrata SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,347 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Ephrata
Akron’s public schools are run by Ephrata Area School District, which also serves Clay, Ephrata and Ephrata. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Akron vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Akron’s borders.
Every school in Akron
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Akron’s schools
Are Akron’s schools good?
On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Akron children attend score below 53% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #696 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 34%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Akron in?
Ephrata Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 3,904 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Akron kids go to high school?
Ephrata SHS in Ephrata, with 1,347 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Akron’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Ephrata Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does Akron spend per student?
$18,352 in Ephrata Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Akron families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Akron → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.