Needs Improvement
#2606 of 2,846 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
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,606 of 2,846
In district
#5 of 11
Hazleton Area SD
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Drums El/ms?
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Drums El/ms
Elementary School in Drums · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hazle Township Early Learning Center
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hazleton Area HS
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Drums El/ms
Drums El/ms is a public elementary school in Drums, PA, part of Hazleton Area SD. Drums El/ms serves approximately 801 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Drums El/ms has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,606 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Drums El/ms show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.1
- PA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Drums El/ms 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Drums El/ms — Students at Drums El/ms score 45% 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 42 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How Drums El/ms Compares
See how Drums El/ms performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Hazleton), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JUDE SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Mountain Top), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JEROME REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Tamaqua), which scores notably higher. 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 | 3.9 |
| Hazleton Area HS Hazle Township | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Maple Manor El/MS Hazle Township | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| West Hazleton El/MS West Hazleton | 3.5 mi | 2.7 |
| Hazleton El/MS Hazleton | 3.4 mi | 2.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Hazleton | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Arthur Street El Sch Hazleton | 3.6 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 | 2.7 |
| Valley El/MS Sugarloaf | 4.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Freeland El/MS Freeland | 5.7 mi | 2.4 |
| McAdoo-Kelayres El/MS Mcadoo | 7.9 mi | 2.8 |
| Rice El Sch Mountain Top | 9.4 mi | 5.4 |
| ST JUDE SCHOOL Mountain Top | 9.0 mi | 6.2 |
| WYOMING VALLEY SDA ELEMENTARY Mountain Top | 10.0 mi | — |
| Crestwood Secondary Campus Mountain Top | 10.3 mi | 5.1 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen Ethan Sch Philadelphia, PA | 3.7 |
| Cheston El Sch Easton, PA | 3.7 |
| Morrison Andrew J Sch Philadelphia, PA | 3.7 |
| Upper Darby Kdg Ctr Drexel Hill, PA | 3.7 |
| Ziegler William H Sch Philadelphia, PA | 3.7 |
| Antonia Pantoja Community CS Philadelphia, PA | 3.8 |
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 ranks #2,606 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Drums El/ms's MySchoolScout rating?
Drums El/ms has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Drums El/ms?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Drums El/ms has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.8%
- Phone
- (570) 459-3111
Resources & Links
District
Hazleton Area SD- District Enrollment
- 12,609
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,547
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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