Top Rankings
Wilkes-Barre Area School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 1,807 students in Wilkes-Barre Area School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Middle Schools in Wilkes-Barre Area School District have an average math proficiency score of 6% (versus the Pennsylvania public middle school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public middle school average of 46% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
10 Schools
923 Schools
# Students
8,086 Students
591,579 Students
# Teachers
426 Teachers
44,337 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Wilkes-Barre Area School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 675 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 81% has decreased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#586 out of 684 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
57%
Graduation Rate
81%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.65
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
52%
17%
% Black
15%
20%
% White
25%
54%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,431 in this school district is less than the state median of $23,696. The school district revenue/student has declined by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,156 is less than the state median of $23,119. The school district spending/student has declined by 13% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$133 MM
$39,541 MM
Spending
$171 MM
$38,578 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,431
$23,696
Spending / Student
$21,156
$23,119
Best Wilkes-Barre Area School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Solomon/plains Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
43 Abbott St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7224
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7224
Grades: 6-8
| 741 students
Rank: #22.
G A R Middle School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
250 South Grant Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7165
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7165
Grades: 6-8
| 1,066 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
