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View of Northumberland, Pennsylvania 1Photo: Jakec · CC BY-SA 4.0
C−
Schools in Northumberland · Shikellamy School District

Northumberland’s public schools score below 76% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

Reading proficiency in Northumberland’s districts is 46%, below the Pennsylvania average (55%). The grade covers the public school district serving Northumberland, 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.

#939of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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
46%
▼ 9 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
32%
▼ 4 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
77%
▼ 10 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.4K
▼ 34% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.8
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
2,682 students on the public path
In brief

Northumberland’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1962 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Northumberland’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 24% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

77% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,364 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 3 the district’s path is Chief Shikellamy Sch, then Shikellamy MS, then Shikellamy HS. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Northumberland 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Northumberland’s grade

C+ Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 24% of Pennsylvania school districts, #939 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 24%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1962)Better than 6%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,365 test results and a graduating class of 233 could put Northumberland anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Northumberland’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,328 in math, 1,402 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–22 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+
3–5Chief Shikellamy Schin SunburyC−
6–8Shikellamy MSShikellamy School DistrictC
9–12Shikellamy HSin SunburyC+

Northumberland’s public schools are run by Shikellamy School District, which also serves Point, Rockefeller, Snydertown and Sunbury and others. 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.

Shikellamy School DistrictGrades K–12 · 5 schools · 2,682 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 18.8 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$14,364PA $21,758 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading46%
State average 55.1% · 1402 students tested
Math32%
State average 36.1% · 1328 students tested

Northumberland vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NorthumberlandC−Shikellamy

Every school in Northumberland

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).

District schools in Northumberlandby address
Shikellamy MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
588 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Northumberlandin other towns
Oaklyn Sch
Elementary · Grades K–2 · Sunbury
B+
375 students17:1Rate it →
Priestley Sch
Elementary · Grades K–2
B
250 students16:1Rate it →
Chief Shikellamy Sch
Elementary · Grades 3–5 · Sunbury
C−
614 students19:1Rate it →
Shikellamy HS
High · Grades 9–12 · Sunbury
C+
855 students21:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Northumberland Christian School
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
284 students22:1Rate it →

Questions about Northumberland’s schools

Are Northumberland’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Northumberland children attend score below 76% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #939 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Northumberland in?

Shikellamy School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,682 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Northumberland kids go to high school?

Shikellamy HS in Sunbury, with 855 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Northumberland’s graduation rate?

77% of the class of 2023 in Shikellamy School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Northumberland spend per student?

$14,364 in Shikellamy School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Northumberland?

Yes: Northumberland Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 284 students).

Parents talk

What Northumberland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Northumberland → 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.