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W. Broad St., Tamaqua, PAPhoto: Hshuvaeva · CC BY-SA 3.0
C+
Schools in Tamaqua · Tamaqua Area School District

Tamaqua’s public schools score below 61% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 29% of Tamaqua’s students scored proficient, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Tamaqua, 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.

#781of 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
45%
▼ 10 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
29%
▼ 7 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.8K
▼ 27% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.6
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
1,798 students on the public path
In brief

Tamaqua’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania (the state reports Tamaqua’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,833 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 6 the district’s path is Tamaqua Area MS, then Tamaqua Area SHS. 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 Tamaqua’s grade

C Test scoresC+ Graduation

C+: better than 39% of Pennsylvania school districts, #781 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Graduation is above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are below it.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 39%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (683)Better than 37%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 943 test results and a graduating class of 155 could put Tamaqua anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Tamaqua’s students in the tested grades sat them (963 in math, 923 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Tamaqua El SchTamaqua Area School DistrictB−
6–8Tamaqua Area MSTamaqua Area School DistrictC
9–12Tamaqua Area SHSTamaqua Area School DistrictB+

Tamaqua’s public schools are run by Tamaqua Area School District, which also serves Rush, Schuylkill, Walker and West Penn. 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.

Tamaqua Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 4 schools · 2,048 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 14.6 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$15,833PA $21,758 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading45%
State average 55.1% · 923 students tested
Math29%
State average 36.1% · 963 students tested

Tamaqua vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
TamaquaC+Tamaqua Area
WalkerC+Tamaqua Area
SchuylkillC+Tamaqua Area
CoaldaleDPanther Valley
West PennC+Tamaqua Area
Summit HillDPanther Valley

3 of the 5 neighbors share Tamaqua Area with Tamaqua, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Tamaqua

3 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 Tamaquaby address
Tamaqua El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
697 students17:1Rate it →
Also serving Tamaquain other towns
Tamaqua Area MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
488 students14:1Rate it →
Tamaqua Area SHS
High · Grades 9–12
B+
613 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Tamaqua’s schools

Are Tamaqua’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Tamaqua children attend score below 61% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #781 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 37%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Tamaqua in?

Tamaqua Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,048 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Tamaqua kids go to high school?

Tamaqua Area SHS, with 613 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Tamaqua’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Tamaqua Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Tamaqua spend per student?

$15,833 in Tamaqua Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Tamaqua families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tamaqua → 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.