Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0Bethlehem’s public schools score below 68% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Bethlehem’s districts is 27%, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Bethlehem, 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 95% 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.
Bethlehem’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 2002 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bethlehem’s, its schools beat 12%, lower than their 32% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,980 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then four middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lehigh Valley Academy Regional CS, Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Lehigh Valley Dual Language CS, Moravian Academy (private), Bethlehem Catholic High School (private), St. Anne School (private), Holy Infancy School (private), Lightbridge Academy (private), Centennial School Lehigh Univ (private), St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Academy (private), Covenant Christian Academy of the Lehigh Valley (private), Buxmont Academy (private), Buxmont Academy (private) and Fellowship Christian High School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Bethlehem’s grade
C: better than 32% of Pennsylvania school districts, #866 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bethlehem, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Bethlehem · depends on your address
Donegan El Sch
Grades PK–5 · 467 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Marvine El Sch
Grades PK–5 · 265 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Calypso El Sch
Grades PK–5 · 222 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bethlehem
Liberty HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,541 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bethlehem
Liberty HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,541 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bethlehem
Liberty HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,541 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bethlehem
Liberty HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,541 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bethlehem’s public schools are run by Bethlehem Area School District, which also serves Bethlehem, Fountain Hill, Freemansburg and Hanover. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Bethlehem vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Bethlehem’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | C | Bethlehem Area |
| Hanover | C | Bethlehem Area |
| Lower Saucon | A | Saucon Valley |
| Hellertown | A | Saucon Valley |
| Hanover Township | C+ | Catasauqua Area |
| Freemansburg | C | Bethlehem Area |
| Salisbury | C | Salisbury Township |
| Allentown | D | Allentown City |
2 of the 7 neighbors share Bethlehem Area with Bethlehem, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Bethlehem
29 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 Bethlehem’s schools
Are Bethlehem’s schools good?
On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bethlehem children attend score below 68% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #866 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bethlehem in?
Bethlehem Area School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,717 students in 22 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bethlehem kids go to high school?
Liberty HS, with 2,541 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Bethlehem’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Bethlehem Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does Bethlehem spend per student?
$18,980 in Bethlehem Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bethlehem?
Yes: Moravian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 904 students), Bethlehem Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 478 students), St. Anne School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 290 students), Holy Infancy School (Catholic, grades K–8, 139 students), Lightbridge Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 95 students), Centennial School Lehigh Univ (special education, grades 1–12, 71 students), St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Academy (religious, grades PK–K, 67 students), Covenant Christian Academy of the Lehigh Valley (religious, grades K–8, 52 students), Buxmont Academy (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 43 students), Buxmont Academy (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 40 students) and Fellowship Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 28 students). Bethlehem also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Bethlehem families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bethlehem → 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.