Best Schools in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania
14 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Wilkes-barre?
Use this page to compare every school in Wilkes-barre 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.
Al Noor Islamic Academy
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Holy Redeemer H.s.
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Nicholas-st Mary's School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Wilkes-barre for 2026 are Al Noor Islamic Academy (8.0/10), Holy Redeemer H.s. (7.4/10), and St Nicholas-st Mary's School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
14
7 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$161,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
14
7 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$161,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +16.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Wilkes-barre schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Wilkes-barre
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (12 of 14). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Noor Islamic Academy | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Holy Redeemer H.s. | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | St Nicholas-st Mary's School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Milford E Barnes JR School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Wilkes-barre Area Career & Technical Center | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Bais Menachem Youth Development Prog | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Wilkes-barre Academy | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Dr David W Kistler EL Sch | 4.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Daniel J Flood EL Sch | 4.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Heights/murray EL Sch | 4.0 / 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
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $49,534
- Median home value
- $161,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 43%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Wilkes-barre compares
Pennsylvania rank
#320 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$50k
62% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania is home to 14 schools, including 7 public schools and 7 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Wilkes-barre 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 Wilkes-barre is Al Noor Islamic Academy with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Wilkes-barre is served by 2 school districts: Wilkes-Barre Area SD, Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center. These districts collectively serve 8,174 students.
Wilkes-barre's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $49,534. The poverty rate in the area is 18.5%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 970 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.7 | ||
| 2 | 620 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | 843 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.0 | ||
| 4 | 483 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.6 | ||
| 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 | Al Noor Islamic Academy
Private
36 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | St Nicholas-st Mary's School
Private
267 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | Wilkes-barre Academy
Private
176 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.2 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,066 students · 6th–8th | 3.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Holy Redeemer H.s.
Private
464 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 48 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 | ||
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Milford E Barnes JR School
Private
59 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | Wilkes-barre Mennonite School
Private
22 students · Kindergarten–11th | — | ||
Schools in Wilkes-barre
Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania · 14 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$49,534
Median Home Value
$161,400
Median Rent
$940/mo
Population
61,641
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
43%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Community Profile
Wilkes-barre has a median household income of $49,534. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,400, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 3
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 Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
Wilkes-barre has 14 schools, including 7 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Wilkes-barre is 5.6 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 Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Wilkes-barre on MySchoolScout is Al Noor Islamic Academy with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Wilkes-barre on MySchoolScout is Al Noor Islamic Academy with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Wilkes-barre on MySchoolScout is G a R MS with a composite score of 3.2/10.
What is the best high school in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Wilkes-barre on MySchoolScout is Holy Redeemer H.s. with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
Wilkes-barre is served by 2 school districts: Wilkes-barre Area Sd, Wilkes-barre Area Career & Technical Center.
What is the education level in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Wilkes-barre have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Wilkes-barre is approximately $49,534 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Wilkes-barre has 7 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Al Noor Islamic Academy with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Wilkes-barre, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Wilkes-barre 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 Wilkes-barre, 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.