Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Carbondale

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Carbondale City Hall and CourthouseCarbondale City Hall and Courthouse · Photo: Smallbones · CC0
C
Schools in Carbondale · Carbondale Area School District

Carbondale’s public schools score below 74% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 16% of Carbondale’s students scored proficient, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carbondale, 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.

#925of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
39%
▼ 16 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
16%
▼ 20 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.4K
▼ 20% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.5
PA 13.4 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
1,491 students on the public path
In brief

Carbondale’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 777 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carbondale’s, its schools beat 15%, lower than their 26% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania (the state reports Carbondale’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,390 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Carbondale Area JSHS. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Edison Early Learning Center (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Carbondale’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 26% of Pennsylvania school districts, #925 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 26%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (777)Better than 15%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 702 test results and a graduating class of 119 could put Carbondale anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Carbondale’s students in the tested grades sat them (666 in math, 739 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carbondale, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–6Carbondale El SchCarbondale Area School DistrictD
7–12Carbondale Area JSHSCarbondale Area School DistrictC

Carbondale’s public schools are run by Carbondale Area School District, which also serves Fell. 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.

Carbondale Area School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 1,491 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 11.5 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$17,390PA $21,758 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 55.1% · 739 students tested
Math16%
State average 36.1% · 666 students tested

Carbondale vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Carbondale’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CarbondaleCCarbondale Area
Carbondale TownshipA−Lakeland
FellCCarbondale Area

Every school in Carbondale

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).

District schools in Carbondaleby address
Carbondale El Sch
Elementary · Grades PK–6
D
755 students13:1Rate it →
Carbondale Area JSHS
High · Grades 7–12
C
736 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Edison Early Learning Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
60 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Carbondale’s schools

Are Carbondale’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Carbondale children attend score below 74% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #925 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carbondale in?

Carbondale Area School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,491 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

What is Carbondale’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Carbondale Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Carbondale spend per student?

$17,390 in Carbondale Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Carbondale?

Yes: Edison Early Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 60 students).

Parents talk

What Carbondale families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carbondale → 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.