Average
#2096 of 2,842 schools in PA
Dodson EL Sch
Elementary School · Wilkes-Barre Area SD
13 Hillard St, Wilkes-barre, PA 18702
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilkes-barre
#4 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,229 of 1,625
In district
#5 of 9
Wilkes-Barre Area SD
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Dodson EL Sch
Dodson Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the heart of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Dodson has an enrollment of 483 students and employs 25 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.6 out of 10, placing it at the 16th percentile among Pennsylvania schools based on its state ranking of #2409 out of 2852.
Academically, Dodson Elementary focuses on continuous improvement with room for growth. The school’s proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Reading stand at 27%, while Math proficiency is at 17%. These figures highlight areas where the school is working to enhance educational outcomes for its students.
Dodson Elementary School is situated in a small city setting, offering a tight-knit community environment that fosters connections between families and educators. The school’s location allows it to be an integral part of the Wilkes Barre neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dodson EL Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Dodson EL Sch — Students at Dodson EL Sch score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.9/10.
How Dodson EL Sch Compares
See how Dodson EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 20.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 25.4% (2024).
Location
13 Hillard St, Wilkes-barre, PA 18702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dodson EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AL NOOR ISLAMIC ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST NICHOLAS-ST MARY'S SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Daniel J Flood El Sch (rated 6.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wilkes-barre, see our Wilkes-barre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WILKES-BARRE ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Daniel J Flood El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Heights/Murray El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| HOLY REDEEMER H.S. Wilkes-Barre | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy Plains | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area HS Plains | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| G A R MS Wilkes-Barre | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| BAIS MENACHEM YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROG Wilkes-Barre | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ST NICHOLAS-ST MARY'S SCHOOL Wilkes-Barre | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| GRAHAM ACADEMY Kingston | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| AL NOOR ISLAMIC ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Third Avenue El Sch Kingston | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| JENNY LYNN FERRARO ACADEMY Kingston | 1.9 mi | — |
| MILFORD E BARNES JR SCHOOL Wilkes-Barre | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Solomon/Plains El Sch Plains | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Solomon/Plains MS Plains | 1.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Wyoming Valley West MS Kingston | 1.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Chester Street El Sch Kingston | 1.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Wolfpack Early Learning Academy Wilkes-Barre | 1.8 mi | — |
| GENESIS SCHOOL Kingston | 2.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,892
Median Home Value
$115,700
Median Rent
$971/mo
Population
42,120
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
57.1%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dodson EL Sch has a median household income of $54,892. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,700, with a median rent of $971/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cranberry El Sch Seneca, PA | 5.4 |
| Fairview El Sch Mountaintop, PA | 5.4 |
| George D Steckel El Sch Whitehall, PA | 5.4 |
| Global Leadership Academy CS Southwest at Huey Philadelphia, PA | 5.4 |
| Grover Cleveland El Sch Erie, PA | 5.4 |
| Monroe El Sch Boiling Springs, PA | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dodson EL Sch
What grades does Dodson EL Sch serve?
Dodson EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Dodson EL Sch?
Dodson EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dodson EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Dodson EL Sch is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dodson EL Sch rank in PA?
Dodson EL Sch is ranked #2096 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Dodson EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Dodson EL Sch has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dodson EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dodson EL Sch has 17.0% math proficiency and 26.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dodson EL Sch a charter school?
No, Dodson EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dodson EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Dodson EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dodson EL Sch?
100.0% of students at Dodson EL 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,000/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilkes-barre). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 483
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Luzerne County
- Phone
- (570) 235-6894
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilkes-Barre Area SD- District Enrollment
- 8,134
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,995
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
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 methodologyRelated 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.