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Needs Improvement

#2768 of 2,842 schools in PA

Mcnichols Plaza

Elementary School · Scranton SD

1111 S Irving Ave, Scranton, PA 18505

Enrollment

347

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Scranton

#14 of 16

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,585 of 1,625

In district

#13 of 15

Scranton SD

About Mcnichols Plaza

McNichols Plaza is an elementary school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, within Lackawanna County. Situated at 1111 S Irving Ave, the school serves kindergarten through fourth grade students. With a total enrollment of 347 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, McNichols Plaza provides a supportive learning environment with 23 full-time equivalent teachers.

The academic performance at McNichols Plaza shows room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout Rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2697 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania (6th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, only 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while the math proficiency rate stands at 16%. Despite these challenges, McNichols Plaza focuses on student development and offers a range of programs to support its diverse learning community.

Located in a small city setting within Scranton, McNichols Plaza is an integral part of the local neighborhood.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.6%
Math vs. State Avg-38.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,602

Mcnichols Plaza — Students at Mcnichols Plaza score 21% 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 16.4%
School
State
47.0%
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
53.5%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
13.4%
ELA
29.3%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Mcnichols Plaza Compares

See how Mcnichols Plaza performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in PA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

1111 S Irving Ave, Scranton, PA 18505

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcnichols Plaza may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SCRANTON HEBREW DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frances Willard #32 (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Adams #4 (rated 7.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Scranton, see our Scranton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
South Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton 0.6 mi 4.6
John G Whittier #2 Scranton 0.6 mi 6.8
MONTESSORI KINDERGARTEN Scranton 1.1 mi
John F. Kennedy #7 Scranton 1.0 mi 4.8
Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence CS Scranton 1.0 mi 6.0
BETH SHALOM ACADEMY Scranton 1.3 mi
SCRANTON HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Scranton 1.4 mi 8.1
BNOS YISROEL GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Scranton 1.4 mi
Northeast Intrmd Sch Scranton 1.7 mi 4.5
William Prescott #38 Scranton 1.6 mi 3.3
Frances Willard #32 Scranton 1.6 mi 8.0
Scranton HS Scranton 1.9 mi 6.6
John Adams #4 Scranton 2.0 mi 7.4
SCRANTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Scranton 2.0 mi 4.9
West Scranton HS Scranton 1.8 mi 5.7
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Scranton 1.9 mi 6.3
Charles Sumner #18 Scranton 2.0 mi 7.1
West Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton 1.9 mi 3.4
ST CLARE ST. PAUL SCHOOL Scranton 2.6 mi 5.3
ST CLARE/SAINT PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Scranton 2.6 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,599

Median Home Value

$139,800

Median Rent

$954/mo

Population

21,417

College Educated

25.8%

Homeownership

55%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

19.8%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcnichols Plaza has a median household income of $52,599. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,800, with a median rent of $954/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. 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
Colebrookdale El Sch Boyertown, PA 3.6
Jackson Early Childhood Center Allentown, PA 3.6
Urban Pathways K-5 College CS Pittsburgh, PA 3.6
Andrew Maier El Sch Blandon, PA 3.7
Houck El Sch Lebanon, PA 3.7
Logan El Sch Altoona, PA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcnichols Plaza

What grades does Mcnichols Plaza serve?

Mcnichols Plaza serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Mcnichols Plaza?

Mcnichols Plaza has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcnichols Plaza?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcnichols Plaza is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcnichols Plaza rank in PA?

Mcnichols Plaza is ranked #2768 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Mcnichols Plaza's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcnichols Plaza has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Mcnichols Plaza?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcnichols Plaza has 16.4% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcnichols Plaza a charter school?

No, Mcnichols Plaza is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mcnichols Plaza a Title I school?

No, Mcnichols Plaza is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcnichols Plaza?

100.0% of students at Mcnichols Plaza 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

City Safety
High (1,644/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lackawanna County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Scranton SD
District Enrollment
9,266
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,395
District Rank
#13 of 15

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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