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Excellent

#444 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 16% in state

Damascus Area Sch

Elementary School · Wayne Highlands SD

174 High School Rd, Damascus, PA 18415

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#444 of 2,846

In district

#3 of 6

Wayne Highlands SD

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Damascus Area Sch

8.1/10

Elementary School in Damascus · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sullivan West High School at Lake Huntington

5.5/10

4.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sullivan West Elementary School

5.5/10

9.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Damascus Area Sch

Damascus Area Sch is a public elementary school in Damascus, PA, part of Wayne Highlands SD. Damascus Area Sch serves approximately 266 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Damascus Area Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #444 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Damascus Area Sch show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.3
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Damascus Area Sch sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.3% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,806
Chronic Absenteeism10.9%

Damascus Area Sch — Students at Damascus Area Sch score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 75.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 42 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
93%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
65.4%
ELA
73.1%
2024
Math
71.5%
ELA
68.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.

How Damascus Area Sch Compares

See how Damascus Area Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
84th percentile in PA
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

174 High School Rd, Damascus, PA 18415

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Damascus Area Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wallenpaupack North Prim Sch (rated 8.0/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Hawley), with a very similar rating. Another option is Stourbridge Primary Ctr (rated 7.9/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Honesdale), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Honesdale), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Damascus, see our Damascus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SULLIVAN WEST HIGH SCHOOL AT LAKE HUNTINGTON Lake Huntington 4.4 mi 5.5
SULLIVAN WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jeffersonville 9.0 mi 5.5
ST DOMINICS ACADEMY Honesdale 12.4 mi 3.6
Wayne Highlands MS Honesdale 13.5 mi 8.2
Honesdale HS Honesdale 13.5 mi 8.3
Stourbridge Primary Ctr Honesdale 13.7 mi 7.9
Lakeside Elementary School Honesdale 13.8 mi 7.8
ELDRED JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Eldred 15.4 mi 6.9
Wallenpaupack North Prim Sch Hawley 17.4 mi 8.0
Wallenpaupack Area MS Hawley 17.5 mi 6.1
Wallenpaupack North Intrmd Sch Hawley 17.5 mi 7.7
Wallenpaupack Area HS Hawley 17.7 mi 8.0
ROSCOE CENTRAL SCHOOL Roscoe 18.3 mi 5.8
SULLIVAN BOCES Liberty 16.5 mi 5.7
LIVINGSTON MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Livingston Manor 19.1 mi 7.4
LIVINGSTON MANOR HIGH SCHOOL Livingston Manor 19.1 mi 7.1
HANCOCK JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hancock 20.8 mi 5.9
HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hancock 20.9 mi 5.4
GEORGE ROSS MACKENZIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Glen Spey 20.0 mi 4.9
LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Liberty 18.1 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18415 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,985

Median Home Value

$327,600

Population

1,242

College Educated

32.4%

Homeownership

94.4%

Poverty Rate

3%

Median Age

57

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arlington Heights El Sch Stroudsburg, PA 8.1
Kindergarten Academy Prospect Park, PA 8.1
Klein El Sch Erie, PA 8.1
Lyter El Sch Montoursville, PA 8.1
Meyersdale Area El Sch Meyersdale, PA 8.1
Miller Heights El Sch Bethlehem, PA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Damascus Area Sch

What grades does Damascus Area Sch serve?

Damascus Area Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Damascus Area Sch?

Damascus Area Sch has an enrollment of approximately 266 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Damascus Area Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Damascus Area Sch is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Damascus Area Sch rank in PA?

Damascus Area Sch ranks #444 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Damascus Area Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Damascus Area Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Damascus Area Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Damascus Area Sch has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Damascus Area Sch a charter school?

No, Damascus Area Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Damascus Area Sch a Title I school?

No, Damascus Area Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Damascus Area Sch?

42.1% of students at Damascus Area Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Wayne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

District

Wayne Highlands SD
District Enrollment
2,364
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,806
District Rank
#3 of 6

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