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Average

#1471 of 2,842 schools in PA

Drums El/ms

Elementary School · Hazleton Area SD

85 South Old Turnpike Road, Drums, PA 18222

Enrollment

801

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#935 of 1,625

In district

#2 of 11

Hazleton Area SD

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Drums El/ms

Drums El/MS serves kindergarten through eighth grade students in rural Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with an enrollment of 801 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, supported by 50 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school is working toward strengthening student performance.

English language arts shows more solid ground, with 57% of students performing at proficient levels or above across grades. Mathematics presents an area for growth, with 31% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. Overall, Drums El/MS ranks in the 43rd percentile of Pennsylvania schools, indicating the school has room for academic development in its curriculum and instruction.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 reflects these performance metrics. For families considering Drums El/MS, it's worth noting the school's rural setting near town, which may appeal to families seeking a smaller-community educational environment. Parents interested in the school may want to discuss with administrators their specific plans for improving math outcomes and supporting students across both elementary and middle grade levels.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Drums El/ms may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.77 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.7%
Math vs. State Avg-19 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,528

Drums El/ms — Students at Drums El/ms score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.3%
School
State
40.7%
ELA Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 18 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
53%
2024
Math
32.5%
ELA
56.8%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Drums El/ms Compares

See how Drums El/ms performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in PA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

85 South Old Turnpike Road, Drums, PA 18222

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Drums El/ms may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Hazleton), with a very similar rating. Another option is West Hazleton El/MS (rated 6.3/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby West Hazleton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST JUDE SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Mountain Top), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Drums, see our Drums schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hazle Township Early Learning Center Hazle Township 2.7 mi 4.6
Hazleton Area HS Hazle Township 2.7 mi 4.0
Maple Manor El/MS Hazle Township 2.9 mi 4.2
West Hazleton El/MS West Hazleton 3.5 mi 6.3
Hazleton El/MS Hazleton 3.4 mi 5.0
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Hazleton 3.6 mi 6.4
Arthur Street El Sch Hazleton 3.6 mi 4.1
HAZLETON TRINITY NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL Hazleton 3.9 mi
IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hazleton 4.0 mi 6.5
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Conyngham 3.4 mi
Heights Terrace El/MS Hazleton 4.8 mi 5.5
Valley El/MS Sugarloaf 4.1 mi 4.9
Freeland El/MS Freeland 5.7 mi 4.3
McAdoo-Kelayres El/MS Mcadoo 7.9 mi 3.8
Rice El Sch Mountain Top 9.4 mi 5.9
ST JUDE SCHOOL Mountain Top 9.0 mi 6.1
WYOMING VALLEY SDA ELEMENTARY Mountain Top 10.0 mi
Crestwood Secondary Campus Mountain Top 10.3 mi 4.6
MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Tamaqua 12.5 mi 6.3
ST JEROME REGIONAL SCHOOL Tamaqua 12.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18222 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,656

Median Home Value

$227,600

Median Rent

$1,436/mo

Population

9,946

College Educated

30.4%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Drums El/ms has a median household income of $102,656. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,600, with a median rent of $1,436/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Cambria Heights El Sch Carrolltown, PA 6.3
Churchville El Sch Churchville, PA 6.3
Clearfield Area El Sch Clearfield, PA 6.3
Curwensville Area El Sch Curwensville, PA 6.3
Davis Sch York, PA 6.3
DeBurgos Bilingual Magnet MS Philadelphia, PA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Drums El/ms

What grades does Drums El/ms serve?

Drums El/ms serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Drums El/ms?

Drums El/ms has an enrollment of approximately 801 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Drums El/ms?

The student-teacher ratio at Drums El/ms is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Drums El/ms rank in PA?

Drums El/ms is ranked #1471 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Drums El/ms's MySchoolScout rating?

Drums El/ms has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Drums El/ms?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Drums El/ms has 31.3% math proficiency and 56.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Drums El/ms a charter school?

No, Drums El/ms is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Drums El/ms a Title I school?

No, Drums El/ms is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Drums El/ms?

100.0% of students at Drums El/ms 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Luzerne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hazleton Area SD
District Enrollment
12,609
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,547
District Rank
#2 of 11

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 methodology

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