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Needs Improvement

#2739 of 2,846 schools in PA

Mcnichols Plaza

Elementary School · Scranton SD

1111 S Irving Ave, Scranton, PA 18505

Enrollment

347

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,739 of 2,846

In Scranton

#10 of 16

public schools

In district

#9 of 15

Scranton SD

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Mcnichols Plaza

3.1/10

Elementary School in Scranton · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Scranton Intrmd Sch

3.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

John G Whittier #2

3.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mcnichols Plaza

Mcnichols Plaza is a public elementary school in Scranton, PA, part of Scranton SD. Mcnichols Plaza serves approximately 347 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcnichols Plaza has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,739 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Mcnichols Plaza show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.4
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Mcnichols Plaza were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.2% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.6% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-38.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,395
Chronic Absenteeism37.5%

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 31.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
47.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.5% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
12.4%
ELA
19.4%
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: 3.0/10.

How Mcnichols Plaza Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in PA
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

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 ALL SAINTS ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CLARE ST. PAUL SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 2.6 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 3.0
John G Whittier #2 Scranton 0.6 mi 3.3
MONTESSORI KINDERGARTEN Scranton 1.1 mi
John F. Kennedy #7 Scranton 1.0 mi 3.8
Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence CS Scranton 1.0 mi 4.5
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 2.7
William Prescott #38 Scranton 1.6 mi 3.8
Frances Willard #32 Scranton 1.6 mi 4.6
Scranton HS Scranton 1.9 mi 6.0
John Adams #4 Scranton 2.0 mi 2.6
SCRANTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Scranton 2.0 mi 4.9
West Scranton HS Scranton 1.8 mi 5.8
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Scranton 1.9 mi 6.3
Charles Sumner #18 Scranton 2.0 mi 3.6
West Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton 1.9 mi 2.5
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Donegan El Sch Bethlehem, PA 3.1
Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading, PA 3.1
Catharine Joseph Sch Philadelphia, PA 3.0
Central El Sch Beaver Falls, PA 3.0
Diehl Sch Erie, PA 3.0
Easton Arts Academy Elementary CS Easton, PA 3.2

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 ranks #2,739 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Mcnichols Plaza's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcnichols Plaza has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Mcnichols Plaza?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcnichols Plaza has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

District

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

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