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Zambelli PlazaPhoto: Original uploader was Jgera5 at en.wikipedia · Public domain
C−
Schools in New Castle · New Castle Area School District

New Castle’s public schools score below 81% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

In New Castle, 11% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving New Castle, 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.

#967of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
23%
▼ 32 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
11%
▼ 25 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.1K
▼ 12% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.1
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
2,872 students on the public path
In brief

New Castle’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 440 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of New Castle’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 19% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 11% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 98% 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 New Castle’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,083 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 3 the district’s path is Washington Intrmd Sch, then New Castle JHS, then New Castle SHS. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

New Castle Christian Academy (private) and Newcastle Christian Academy (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind New Castle’s grade

D Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 19% of Pennsylvania school districts, #967 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 19%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (440)Better than 11%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,514 test results and a graduating class of 181 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of New Castle’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,495 in math, 1,534 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–2Harry W Lockley Early Learning CenterNew Castle Area School DistrictNo scores
3–5Washington Intrmd SchNew Castle Area School DistrictD
6–8New Castle JHSNew Castle Area School DistrictD
9–12New Castle SHSNew Castle Area School DistrictC+

New Castle’s public schools are run by New Castle Area School District, which also serves Taylor. 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.

New Castle Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 4 schools · 2,872 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 15.1 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$19,083PA $21,758 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading23%
State average 55.1% · 1534 students tested
Math11%
State average 36.1% · 1495 students tested

New Castle vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
New CastleC−New Castle Area
Taylor—New Castle Area
ShenangoA−Shenango Area
North BeaverA−Mohawk Area
NeshannockANeshannock Township
UnionAUnion Area
HickoryALaurel

Every school in New Castle

7 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 New Castleby address
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center
Elementary · Grades K–2
736 students14:1Rate it →
Washington Intrmd Sch
Elementary · Grades 3–5
D
707 students15:1Rate it →
New Castle JHS
Middle · Grades 6–8
D
689 students16:1Rate it →
New Castle SHS
High · Grades 9–12
C+
740 students15:1Rate it →
Other public schools in New Castlerun by other districts or the state
Lawrence County Career and Technical Center
High · Grades 9–12
C+
Career and Technical
418 students13:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
New Castle Christian Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
210 students16:1Rate it →
Newcastle Christian Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
205 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about New Castle’s schools

Are New Castle’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools New Castle children attend score below 81% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #967 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is New Castle in?

New Castle Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,872 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do New Castle kids go to high school?

New Castle SHS, with 740 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is New Castle’s graduation rate?

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

How much does New Castle spend per student?

$19,083 in New Castle Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in New Castle?

Yes: New Castle Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 210 students) and Newcastle Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 205 students).

Parents talk

What New Castle families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near New Castle → 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.