Average
#1438 of 2,842 schools in PA
Dr David W Kistler EL Sch
Elementary School · Wilkes-Barre Area SD
301 Old River Rd, Wilkes-barre, PA 18702
Enrollment
970
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
970
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilkes-barre
#3 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#915 of 1,625
In district
#4 of 9
Wilkes-Barre Area SD
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Dr David W Kistler EL Sch
Dr David W Kistler Elementary School serves 970 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. This large elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 with 55 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a substantial educational community for young learners in Luzerne County. The school is currently focusing on student development, with academic performance showing room for growth.
In reading and language arts, 38% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, while 30% achieve proficiency in mathematics. With a state ranking of #2365 out of 2852 Pennsylvania elementary schools, placing it in the 17th percentile, the school has opportunities to enhance its academic programming and student outcomes. Located at 301 Old River Road, Dr David W Kistler Elementary serves a diverse community where the median household income is $53,294 and nearly one in five families face economic challenges.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class community with 22% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in a small city setting, providing students with both urban resources and a close-knit community atmosphere that characterizes much of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Dr David W Kistler EL Sch — Students at Dr David W Kistler EL Sch score 34% proficient, which is above 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: 8.8/10.
How Dr David W Kistler EL Sch Compares
See how Dr David W Kistler EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 29.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 37.9% (2024).
Location
301 Old River Rd, Wilkes-barre, PA 18702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dr David W Kistler EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WYOMING VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Kingston), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST NICHOLAS-ST MARY'S SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Heights/Murray El Sch (rated 6.5/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Wilkes-barre, see our Wilkes-barre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Park El Sch Hanover Township | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| WILKES-BARRE MENNONITE SCHOOL Wilkes-Barre | 1.0 mi | — |
| MILFORD E BARNES JR SCHOOL Wilkes-Barre | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Hanover Area Memorial El Sch Hanover Township | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Wolfpack Early Learning Academy Wilkes-Barre | 1.0 mi | — |
| Lyndwood El Sch Hanover Township | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| ST NICHOLAS-ST MARY'S SCHOOL Wilkes-Barre | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| BAIS MENACHEM YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROG Wilkes-Barre | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| HOLY REDEEMER H.S. Wilkes-Barre | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| WYOMING SEMINARY UPPER SCHOOL Kingston | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| WYOMING VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kingston | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| State El Ctr Larksville | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Wyoming Valley West MS Kingston | 1.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Third Avenue El Sch Kingston | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| G A R MS Wilkes-Barre | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Chester Street El Sch Kingston | 1.8 mi | 3.0 |
| GRAHAM ACADEMY Kingston | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| JENNY LYNN ELEMENTARY Kingston | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Heights/Murray El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| GENESIS SCHOOL Kingston | 2.3 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 Dr David W Kistler 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 |
|---|---|
| Donegal Intermediate School Marietta, PA | 6.4 |
| East Pennsboro El Sch Enola, PA | 6.4 |
| Pollock Robert B Sch Philadelphia, PA | 6.4 |
| Blue Mountain El East School Orwigsburg, PA | 6.5 |
| Elmwood Academy Mechanicsburg, PA | 6.5 |
| Heights/Murray El Sch Wilkes-Barre, PA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dr David W Kistler EL Sch
What grades does Dr David W Kistler EL Sch serve?
Dr David W Kistler EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Dr David W Kistler EL Sch?
Dr David W Kistler EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 970 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr David W Kistler EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Dr David W Kistler EL Sch is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dr David W Kistler EL Sch rank in PA?
Dr David W Kistler EL Sch is ranked #1438 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Dr David W Kistler EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Dr David W Kistler EL Sch has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Dr David W Kistler EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr David W Kistler EL Sch has 26.2% math proficiency and 37.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dr David W Kistler EL Sch a charter school?
No, Dr David W Kistler EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dr David W Kistler EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Dr David W Kistler EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr David W Kistler EL Sch?
100.0% of students at Dr David W Kistler 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilkes-barre). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 970
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Luzerne County
- Phone
- (570) 826-7230
- 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
- #4 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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
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