Photo: Umrok · CC BY-SA 4.0Wilkes-Barre’s public schools score below 87% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Wilkes-Barre’s districts is 12%, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Wilkes-Barre, 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 91% 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.
Wilkes-Barre’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 831 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Wilkes-Barre’s, its schools beat 3%, lower than their 13% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 12% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 91% 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 $12,925 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 56% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cheder Menachem, Inc. (private), St. Nicholas-St. Mary's School (private), Wilkes-Barre Academy (private), Al Noor Islamic Academy (private), Milford E Barnes Jr. School (private) and Wilkes-Barre Mennonite School (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.
What’s behind Wilkes-Barre’s grade
D: better than 13% of Pennsylvania school districts, #1,007 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Wilkes-Barre, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Wilkes-Barre
G A R MS
Grades 6–8 · 1,101 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Wilkes-Barre
G A R MS
Grades 6–8 · 1,101 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Wilkes-Barre
G A R MS
Grades 6–8 · 1,101 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Wilkes-Barre · depends on your address
Wilkes-Barre Area HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,569 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Plains
Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 93 students · 29:1 students per teacher · in Plains
10th grade in Wilkes-Barre · depends on your address
Wilkes-Barre Area HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,569 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Plains
Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 93 students · 29:1 students per teacher · in Plains
11th grade in Wilkes-Barre · depends on your address
Wilkes-Barre Area HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,569 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Plains
Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 93 students · 29:1 students per teacher · in Plains
12th grade in Wilkes-Barre · depends on your address
Wilkes-Barre Area HS
Grades 9–12 · 2,569 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Plains
Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 93 students · 29:1 students per teacher · in Plains
Wilkes-Barre’s public schools are run by Wilkes-Barre Area School District, which also serves Bear Creek, Bear Creek Village, Buck and Laflin 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.
Well below the state in reading
Wilkes-Barre vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Wilkes-Barre’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre | D | Wilkes-Barre Area |
| Plains | D | Wilkes-Barre Area |
| Kingston | C | Wyoming Valley West |
| Larksville | C | Wyoming Valley West |
| Edwardsville | C | Wyoming Valley West |
| Hanover | C− | Hanover Area |
Every school in Wilkes-Barre
13 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).
1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Wilkes-Barre’s schools
Are Wilkes-Barre’s schools good?
On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Wilkes-Barre children attend score below 87% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #1,007 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Wilkes-Barre in?
Wilkes-Barre Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 8,176 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Wilkes-Barre kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Wilkes-Barre Area HS and Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy.
What is Wilkes-Barre’s graduation rate?
77% of the class of 2023 in Wilkes-Barre Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does Wilkes-Barre spend per student?
$12,925 in Wilkes-Barre Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Wilkes-Barre?
Yes: Cheder Menachem, Inc. (religious, grades PK–8, 466 students), St. Nicholas-St. Mary's School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 267 students), Wilkes-Barre Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 176 students), Al Noor Islamic Academy (religious, grades PK–6, 63 students), Milford E Barnes Jr. School (special education, grades K–12, 60 students) and Wilkes-Barre Mennonite School (religious, grades K–11, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Wilkes-Barre families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Wilkes-Barre → 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.