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Average

#1998 of 2,842 schools in PA

Heights Terrace El/ms

Elementary School · Hazleton Area SD

275 Mill St, Hazleton, PA 18201

Enrollment

1,209

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hazleton

#1 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,185 of 1,625

In district

#3 of 11

Hazleton Area SD

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Heights Terrace El/ms

Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle School serves 1,209 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. With 70 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this large elementary-middle school combination. The school faces significant academic challenges, with current test scores showing 33% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 15% in mathematics.

These results place Heights Terrace in the lower tier of Pennsylvania schools, ranking 2,690 out of 2,852 statewide, indicating substantial room for academic growth and development. The school serves a diverse community where many families are working to build economic stability. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the broader challenges facing many Pennsylvania communities, with a median household income of $40,346 and a college education rate of 11%.

Despite these economic pressures, the community shows resilience, with median home values of $123,500 demonstrating neighborhood investment. Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle School operates as a regular public school in Hazleton's small suburban setting, serving as an important educational anchor for families in this Luzerne County community of over 31,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Heights Terrace El/ms 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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.6%
Math vs. State Avg-36 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,528

Heights Terrace El/ms — Students at Heights Terrace El/ms score 25% proficient, which is below 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 14.5%
School
State
40.7%
ELA Proficiency 32.9%
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
17%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
23%
2024
Math
15.3%
ELA
33.5%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Heights Terrace El/ms Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in PA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
70 teachers

Location

275 Mill St, Hazleton, PA 18201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Heights Terrace El/ms may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West Hazleton El/MS (rated 6.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby West Hazleton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Drums El/MS (rated 6.3/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Drums), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hazleton, see our Hazleton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hazleton 0.8 mi 6.5
HAZLETON TRINITY NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL Hazleton 0.9 mi
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Hazleton 1.3 mi 6.4
Hazleton El/MS Hazleton 1.5 mi 5.0
Arthur Street El Sch Hazleton 1.5 mi 4.1
West Hazleton El/MS West Hazleton 1.9 mi 6.3
Maple Manor El/MS Hazle Township 2.2 mi 4.2
Hazle Township Early Learning Center Hazle Township 2.3 mi 4.6
Hazleton Area HS Hazle Township 2.3 mi 4.0
McAdoo-Kelayres El/MS Mcadoo 3.8 mi 3.8
Drums El/MS Drums 4.8 mi 6.3
Freeland El/MS Freeland 6.6 mi 4.3
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Conyngham 6.1 mi
Valley El/MS Sugarloaf 6.3 mi 4.9
ST JEROME REGIONAL SCHOOL Tamaqua 8.2 mi 5.5
MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Tamaqua 8.3 mi 6.3
Tamaqua El Sch Tamaqua 9.8 mi 5.5
Weatherly Area HS Weatherly 7.9 mi 5.5
Weatherly Area El Sch Weatherly 7.9 mi 4.6
Weatherly Area MS Weatherly 7.9 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,983

Median Home Value

$131,900

Median Rent

$1,019/mo

Population

31,428

College Educated

11.5%

Homeownership

50.6%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

26.6%

Median Age

39

Community Profile

The community surrounding Heights Terrace El/ms has a median household income of $43,983. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,900, with a median rent of $1,019/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Muhlenberg El Ctr Reading, PA 5.5
Spruance Gilbert Sch Philadelphia, PA 5.5
Wissahickon CS Philadelphia, PA 5.5
Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch Allentown, PA 5.6
Chartiers Valley Intrmd School Pittsburgh, PA 5.4
Connoquenessing Valley El Sch Zelienople, PA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Heights Terrace El/ms

What grades does Heights Terrace El/ms serve?

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

How many students attend Heights Terrace El/ms?

Heights Terrace El/ms has an enrollment of approximately 1,209 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Heights Terrace El/ms is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Heights Terrace El/ms rank in PA?

Heights Terrace El/ms is ranked #1998 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Heights Terrace El/ms's MySchoolScout rating?

Heights Terrace El/ms has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Heights Terrace El/ms?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Heights Terrace El/ms has 14.5% math proficiency and 32.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Heights Terrace El/ms a charter school?

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

Is Heights Terrace El/ms a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Heights Terrace 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (728/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hazleton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,209
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
70
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
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
#3 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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