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Downtown Mars, PAPhoto: Mvincec · Public domain
A+
Schools in Mars · Mars Area School District

Mars’s public schools outscore 96% of Pennsylvania districts

Math proficiency in Mars’s districts is 60%, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Mars, 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.

K–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
76%
▲ 21 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
60%
▲ 24 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
98%
▲ 10 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.2K
▼ 39% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.1
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
0
2,993 students on the public path
In brief

Mars’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 76% and math 60% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,243 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 2 the district’s path is Mars Area El Sch, then Mars Area MS, then Mars Area SHS. Enrollment is up 10% 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Mars’s grade

A Test scoresA+ Graduation

A+: better than 96% of Pennsylvania school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 96%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1003)Better than 99%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,614 test results and a graduating class of 254 could put Mars anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Mars’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,692 in math, 1,537 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–1Mars Area Primary CtrMars Area School DistrictNo scores
2–4Mars Area El SchMars Area School DistrictA
7–8Mars Area MSMars Area School DistrictB
9–12Mars Area SHSMars Area School DistrictA+

Mars’s public schools are run by Mars Area School District, which also serves Adams, Middlesex and Valencia. 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.

Mars Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 5 schools · 3,620 students, up 10% since 2020–21 · 14.1 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$13,243PA $21,758 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading76%
State average 55.1% · 1537 students tested
Math60%
State average 36.1% · 1692 students tested

Mars vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MarsA+Mars Area

Every school in Mars

4 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).

Also serving Marsin other towns
Mars Area Primary Ctr
Elementary · Grades K–1
506 students19:1Rate it →
Mars Area El Sch
Elementary · Grades 2–4
A
880 students16:1Rate it →
Mars Area MS
Middle · Grades 7–8
B
563 students14:1Rate it →
Mars Area SHS
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,044 students11:1Rate it →

Questions about Mars’s schools

Are Mars’s schools good?

By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools Mars children attend outscore 96% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 99%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Mars in?

Mars Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 3,620 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Mars kids go to high school?

Mars Area SHS, with 1,044 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Mars’s graduation rate?

98% of the class of 2023 in Mars Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Mars spend per student?

$13,243 in Mars Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Mars families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mars → 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.