Best Schools in Plains, Pennsylvania
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Plains?
Use this page to compare every school in Plains 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.
Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy
High · Wilkes-barre Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Solomon/plains EL Sch
Elementary · Wilkes-barre Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wilkes-barre Area HS
High · Wilkes-barre Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Plains for 2026 are Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy (7.0/10), Solomon/plains EL Sch (4.1/10), and Wilkes-barre Area HS (2.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
4.1
out of 10
Median Home
$122,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
4.1
out of 10
Median Home
$122,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +10.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Plains schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Plains
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy | 7.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Solomon/plains EL Sch | 4.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Wilkes-barre Area HS | 2.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Solomon/plains MS | 2.4 / 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
- 4.1/10
- Median household income
- $61,293
- Median home value
- $122,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Plains compares
Pennsylvania rank
#400 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-2.2
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$61k
77% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Plains, Pennsylvania
Plains, Pennsylvania is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 4.1 out of 10, schools in Plains show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Plains is Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy with a composite score of 7.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Plains is served by 1 school district: Wilkes-Barre Area SD. These districts collectively serve 8,134 students.
Plains's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,293. The poverty rate in the area is 18.8%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 708 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 741 students · 6th–8th | 2.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 84 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 2,470 students · 9th–12th | 2.9 |
Schools in Plains
Plains, Pennsylvania · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$61,293
Median Home Value
$122,800
Median Rent
$1,006/mo
Population
15,595
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
18.8%
Community Profile
Plains has a median household income of $61,293. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,800, with a median rent of $1,006/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.8%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Plains, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Plains, Pennsylvania?
Plains has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Plains, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Plains is 4.1 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 Plains, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Plains on MySchoolScout is Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Plains, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Plains on MySchoolScout is Solomon/plains EL Sch with a composite score of 4.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Plains, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Plains on MySchoolScout is Solomon/plains MS with a composite score of 2.4/10.
What is the best high school in Plains, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Plains on MySchoolScout is Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Plains, Pennsylvania?
Plains is served by 1 school district: Wilkes-barre Area Sd.
What is the education level in Plains, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Plains have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Plains, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Plains is approximately $61,293 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Plains, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Plains is 24.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Plains, 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.