Best Schools in Ephrata, Pennsylvania
20 schools · 6 Elementary · 7 Middle · 2 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Ephrata?
Use this page to compare every school in Ephrata by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Ephrata Shs
High · Ephrata Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Clay EL Sch
Elementary · Ephrata Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Fulton EL Sch
Elementary · Ephrata Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ephrata for 2026 are Ephrata Shs (8.0/10), Clay EL Sch (7.6/10), and Fulton EL Sch (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
20
7 public · 13 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$263,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
20
7 public · 13 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$263,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +18.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Ephrata schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Ephrata
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 20 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ephrata Shs | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Clay EL Sch | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Fulton EL Sch | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Ephrata Intermediate Sch | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Highland EL Sch | 5.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Ephrata MS | 5.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $71,865
- Median home value
- $263,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ephrata compares
Pennsylvania rank
#306 of 424
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$72k
91% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
16
Ephrata Area SD runs 86% of Ephrata's public schools
Ephrata touches 2 districts, but Ephrata Area SD is the one most addresses actually attend.
Ephrata Area SD accounts for 6 of 7 public schools (86%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.0 to 8.0 — the spread is inside Ephrata, not a citywide average.
- Ephrata Area SD6 public · 86%
- Lancaster County Career and Technology Center1 public · 14%
About Schools in Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Ephrata, Pennsylvania is home to 20 schools, including 7 public schools and 13 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Ephrata show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Ephrata is Ephrata Shs with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ephrata is served by 2 school districts: Ephrata Area SD, Lancaster County Career and Technology Center. These districts collectively serve 4,012 students.
Ephrata's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,865. The poverty rate in the area is 8.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 374 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 305 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 466 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.2 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 146 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 91 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | SheaffersPrivate 35 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 569 students · 5th–6th | 6.4 | ||
| 2 | 607 students · 7th–8th | 5.0 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Wood Crest Parochial SchoolPrivate 47 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 31 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 18 students · 1st–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 24 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Conestoga View SchoolPrivate 16 students · 2nd–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,357 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 2 | 14 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hinkletown Mennonite SchoolPrivate 249 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Ephrata Mennonite SchoolPrivate 353 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | 91 students · 1st–9th | Not Rated |
| 4 | Springville Mennonite SchoolPrivate 134 students · 1st–9th | Not Rated |
| 5 | Hahnstown Mennonite SchoolPrivate 85 students · 1st–9th | Not Rated |
Schools in Ephrata
Ephrata, Pennsylvania · 20 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$71,865
Median Home Value
$263,600
Median Rent
$1,171/mo
Population
33,601
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Community Profile
Ephrata has a median household income of $71,865. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,600, with a median rent of $1,171/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 2
- Other
- 5
Resources
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ephrata, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
Ephrata has 20 schools, including 7 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ephrata is 5.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Ephrata on MySchoolScout is Ephrata Shs with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ephrata on MySchoolScout is Clay EL Sch with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Ephrata on MySchoolScout is Ephrata Intermediate Sch with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Ephrata on MySchoolScout is Ephrata Shs with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
Ephrata is served by 2 school districts: Ephrata Area Sd, Lancaster County Career and Technology Center.
What is the education level in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Ephrata have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Ephrata is approximately $71,865 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Ephrata has 13 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic School with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ephrata is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.