Average
#1673 of 2,846 schools in PA
Northwest Area HS
High School · Northwest Area Sd · Shickshinny, PA
A Northwest Area Sd high school where students score 16 points below what's typical for similar communities.
243 Thorne Hill Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655
- Math 24% vs PA 37% (2024)
- Reading 61% vs PA 56% (2024)
- 92.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Northwest Area HS score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 13 points since 2020, reaching 43% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 38% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 63% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
47.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Northwest Area HS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 3Car-Dependent
- Bike 25Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$68,362
Median home value
$167,000
Median rent
$889/mo
College educated
17.1%
Homeownership
83.6%
Poverty rate
7.4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 18655; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from verified nearby records
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Northwest Area Sd
- Schools in district
- 3
- Rank in district
- #2 of 3
- District spending per student
- $20,504NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 11.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Northwest Area HS is listed in Northwest Area SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Northwest Area HS
Northwest Area HS is a public high school in Shickshinny, PA, part of Northwest Area Sd, serving approximately 420 students in grades 7th-12th with a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,673 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Northwest Area HS
What grades does Northwest Area HS serve?
Northwest Area HS serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwest Area HS?
Northwest Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 420 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Area HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Area HS is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Area HS rank in PA?
Northwest Area HS ranks #1,673 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Northwest Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Northwest Area HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest Area HS has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Northwest Area HS a charter school?
No, Northwest Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Area HS a Title I school?
No, Northwest Area HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Area HS?
47.1% of students at Northwest Area HS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 420
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Luzerne County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.5%
- Phone
- (570) 542-4126
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Area population (ZIP 18655)
- 5,789
- Area average commute
- 36.4 min
- Area median age
- 47.9
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 18655; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.