Best Schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
54 schools · 32 Elementary · 12 Middle · 8 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $81,780
- Median home value
- $273,033
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
51% 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
#117 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
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 | 446 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 272 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 3 | 333 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 4 | 335 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 5 | 513 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 6 | 589 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 | ||
| 7 | 449 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 8 | 446 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 9 | 318 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 10 | 356 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 11 | 478 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 12 | 264 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 13 | 409 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 | ||
| 14 | 243 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.6 | ||
| 15 | 446 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 16 | 397 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 17 | 325 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.1 | ||
| 18 | 468 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.9 | ||
| 19 | 553 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.8 | ||
| 20 | 420 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.8 | ||
| 21 | 403 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 22 | 650 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 23 | 274 students · Kindergarten–4th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 9 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
103 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST. JOHN NEUMANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
141 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show 7 more elementary schools
| 3 | NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI
Private
100 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated |
| 4 | SACRED HEART SCHOOL
Private
161 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated |
| 5 | 87 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated |
| 6 | MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF LANCASTER
Private
120 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated |
| 7 | KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
Private
8 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
| 8 | WONDER ACADEMY
Private
17 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
| 9 | THE JENKINS SCHOOL
Private
12 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
Middle Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 504 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 448 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 466 students · 7th–8th | 7.1 | ||
| 4 | 910 students · 5th–6th | 7.0 | ||
| 5 | 484 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 | ||
| 6 | 902 students · 7th–8th | 6.8 | ||
| 7 | 489 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 8 | 607 students · 7th–8th | 6.6 | ||
| 9 | 898 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 | ||
| 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 | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ROCKVALE AMISH SCHOOL
Private
21 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | GREENLAND AMISH SCHOOL
Private
23 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,642 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | 290 students · 6th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | 1,956 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 200 students · 6th–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 5 | 1,296 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 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 | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ANCHOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
70 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | RIVER ROCK ACADEMY - LANCASTER
Private
22 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAY OF JESUS ACADEMY
Private
86 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated |
| 2 | LANCASTER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Private
520 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
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.
Quick Facts
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Total Schools
- 54
- Elementary
- 32
- Middle
- 12
- High
- 8
- Districts
- 6
- Avg Rating
- 6.9/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently 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 6.9 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Rohrerstown EL Sch 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 Rohrerstown EL Sch 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 Reynolds MS with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Mccaskey Campus with a composite score of 7.0/10.
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.