Best Schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
54 schools · 32 Elementary · 12 Middle · 8 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Lancaster?
Use this page to compare every school in Lancaster 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.
Resurrection Catholic School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wharton EL Sch
Elementary · Lancaster Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Neff Sch
Elementary · Manheim Township Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lancaster for 2026 are Resurrection Catholic School (8.6/10), Wharton EL Sch (8.3/10), and Neff Sch (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 47 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
54
37 public · 17 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$273,033
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Schools
54
37 public · 17 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$273,033
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Rates 8.3/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Lancaster schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +16.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lancaster schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lancaster
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (47 of 54). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resurrection Catholic School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Wharton EL Sch | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Neff Sch | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Way of Jesus Academy | 7.9 / 10 |
| 5 | St. John Neumann Catholic School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Rohrerstown EL Sch | 7.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Schaeffer Sch | 7.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Bucher Sch | 7.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Landis Run Intermediate School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Manheim Twp HS | 7.6 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $81,780
- Median home value
- $273,033
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
47% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lancaster compares
Pennsylvania rank
#198 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$82k
103% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
47
About Schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania has 37 ranked public schools, giving parents a wide field to evaluate. The city's schools average 6.8 out of 10, and 46 percent of schools — 17 in total — score 7 or higher. That spread signals real variation: families who research carefully can land significantly above the city average.
Elementary options lead the performance rankings. Rohrerstown Elementary School tops the city with an 8.6 out of 10, the highest score among all 37 ranked public schools. Fulton Elementary follows at 8.4, with Wharton Elementary and Hamilton Elementary both at 8.3, and Fritz Elementary close behind at 8.1. Five of the city's strongest performers are all at the elementary level, which matters most for families with younger children choosing where to put down roots. The clustering of high-scoring elementaries suggests that early education options in Lancaster are a genuine strength relative to the city's overall profile.
The 6.8 city average tells a more complicated story at the middle and high school levels, where scores tend to pull the citywide number down. Parents with children approaching those grades should look carefully at individual school ratings rather than rely on the city average as a guide. The gap between the top-rated school at 8.6 and the city mean is nearly two full points — a difference that translates into measurable academic outcomes for students.
Practically speaking, Lancaster rewards parents who compare at the school level, not just the district level. With nearly half the city's schools scoring 7 or above, there are solid options available, but geography and attendance zones will determine access. Parents should confirm their address falls within the attendance boundary for target schools before making housing or enrollment decisions. If school quality is a primary factor, focusing on the west and northwest pockets of the city — where several of the top-rated elementaries are concentrated — gives families the best starting point for their search.
Elementary Schools
32 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 333 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 274 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.9 |
| 3 | 446 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.8 |
| 4 | 325 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.7 |
| 5 | 420 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.7 |
| 6 | 468 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.5 |
| 7 | 589 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.5 |
| 8 | 553 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.4 |
| 9 | 264 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 10 | 243 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.3 |
Show all 32 elementary schools in Lancaster
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 910 students · 5th–6th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 607 students · 7th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 902 students · 7th–8th | 6.3 | ||
| 4 | 504 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 5 | 466 students · 7th–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 448 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 7 | 489 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 | ||
| 8 | 898 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 | ||
| 9 | 484 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Rocky Springs School
Private
21 students · 1st–8th | — | ||
Show all 12 middle schools in Lancaster
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,956 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 1,296 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 2,642 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 200 students · 6th–12th | 4.2 | ||
| 5 | 290 students · 6th–12th | 3.8 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Lancaster Catholic High School
Private
510 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | Anchor Christian Academy
Private
70 students · 7th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 3 | River Rock Academy - Lancaster
Private
22 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Way of Jesus Academy
Private
86 students · Kindergarten–10th | 7.9 |
| 2 | Lancaster Country Day School
Private
520 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.5 |
Schools in Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania · 54 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$81,780
Median Home Value
$273,033
Median Rent
$1,588/mo
Population
174,938
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
19.0%
Community Profile
Lancaster has a median household income of $81,780. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,033, with a median rent of $1,588/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.0%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 32
- Middle
- 12
- High
- 8
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
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 Lancaster, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Lancaster has 54 schools, including 37 public and 17 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lancaster is 6.5 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 Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Resurrection Catholic School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Resurrection Catholic School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Landis Run Intermediate School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Manheim Twp HS with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Lancaster is served by 6 school districts: La Academia Partnership Cs, Conestoga Valley Sd, Hempfield Sd, Lancaster Sd, Manheim Township Sd, Penn Manor Sd.
What is the education level in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Lancaster have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Lancaster is approximately $81,780 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Lancaster has 17 private schools alongside 37 public schools. The top-rated private school is Resurrection Catholic School with a score of 8.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lancaster is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lancaster, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.