Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0Ephrata’s public schools score below 53% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Ephrata, 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.
Ephrata’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 2001 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ephrata’s, its schools beat 36%, 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 ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Ephrata MS, then Ephrata SHS. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic School (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.
What’s behind Ephrata’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 Ephrata, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Ephrata · depends on your address
Highland El Sch
Grades K–4 · 438 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Fulton El Sch
Grades K–4 · 297 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Ephrata · depends on your address
Highland El Sch
Grades K–4 · 438 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Fulton El Sch
Grades K–4 · 297 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Ephrata · depends on your address
Highland El Sch
Grades K–4 · 438 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Fulton El Sch
Grades K–4 · 297 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Ephrata · depends on your address
Highland El Sch
Grades K–4 · 438 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Fulton El Sch
Grades K–4 · 297 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Ephrata · depends on your address
Highland El Sch
Grades K–4 · 438 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Fulton El Sch
Grades K–4 · 297 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata Intermediate Sch
Grades 5–6 · 568 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata Intermediate Sch
Grades 5–6 · 568 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata MS
Grades 7–8 · 601 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata MS
Grades 7–8 · 601 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,347 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,347 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,347 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ephrata
Ephrata SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,347 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Ephrata’s public schools are run by Ephrata Area School District, which also serves Akron, Clay 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
Ephrata vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Ephrata’s borders.
Every school in Ephrata
6 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 Ephrata’s schools
Are Ephrata’s schools good?
On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ephrata 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 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ephrata in?
Ephrata Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 3,904 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Ephrata kids go to high school?
Ephrata SHS, with 1,347 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Ephrata’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 Ephrata spend per student?
$18,352 in Ephrata Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ephrata?
Yes: Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 171 students).
Parents talk
What Ephrata families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ephrata → 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.