Christiana Lindsey House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMercer’s public schools outscore 76% of Pennsylvania districts
In Mercer, 46% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Mercer, 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 97% 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.
Mercer’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 738 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Mercer’s, its schools beat 84%, higher than their 76% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 67% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,473 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 Mercer Area MS, then Mercer Area SHS. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Creative Learning Christian 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 Mercer’s grade
A−: better than 76% of Pennsylvania school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Mercer, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Mercer
Mercer Area El Sch
Grades K–6 · 567 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Mercer
Mercer Area El Sch
Grades K–6 · 567 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Mercer
Mercer Area El Sch
Grades K–6 · 567 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Mercer
Mercer Area El Sch
Grades K–6 · 567 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area El Sch
Grades K–6 · 567 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area El Sch
Grades K–6 · 567 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area El Sch
Grades K–6 · 567 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area MS
Grades 7–8 · 136 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area MS
Grades 7–8 · 136 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area SHS
Grades 9–12 · 282 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area SHS
Grades 9–12 · 282 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area SHS
Grades 9–12 · 282 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Mercer
Mercer Area SHS
Grades 9–12 · 282 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Mercer’s public schools are run by Mercer Area School District, which also serves Coolspring, East Lackawannock, Findley and Jefferson. 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 above the state in reading
Mercer vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Mercer’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | A− | Mercer Area |
| Coolspring | A− | Mercer Area |
| East Lackawannock | A− | Mercer Area |
| Findley | A− | Mercer Area |
All 3 neighbors share Mercer Area with Mercer, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Mercer
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).
Questions about Mercer’s schools
Are Mercer’s schools good?
By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools Mercer children attend outscore 76% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 84%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mercer in?
Mercer Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 985 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
Where do Mercer kids go to high school?
Mercer Area SHS, with 282 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Mercer’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Mercer Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does Mercer spend per student?
$16,473 in Mercer Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Mercer?
Yes: Creative Learning Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 83 students).
Parents talk
What Mercer families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mercer → 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.