Average
#1673 of 2,846 schools in PA
Northwest Area HS
High School · Northwest Area SD
243 Thorne Hill Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#1,673 of 2,846
In Shickshinny
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Northwest Area SD
School environment
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Northwest Area HS
High School in Shickshinny · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Northwest Area Primary Sch
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch
4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northwest Area HS
Northwest Area HS is a public high school in Shickshinny, PA, part of Northwest Area SD. Northwest Area HS serves approximately 420 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,673 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Northwest Area HS show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- PA avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Northwest Area HS 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Northwest Area HS — Students at Northwest Area HS score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 36 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: 5.2/10.
How Northwest Area HS Compares
See how Northwest Area HS 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
243 Thorne Hill Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Berwick Area HS (rated 7.0/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Berwick), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake-Lehman JSHS (rated 6.4/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Lehman), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Benton Area HS (rated 4.6/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Benton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shickshinny, see our Shickshinny schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Area Primary Sch Shickshinny | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Northwest Area Intermediate Sch Shickshinny | 4.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Ross El Sch Lehman | 6.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Berwick Area MS Berwick | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Berwick Area HS Berwick | 8.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Salem El Sch Berwick | 8.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Nescopeck El Sch Nescopeck | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick | 9.1 mi | 5.6 |
| West Berwick El Sch Berwick | 9.5 mi | 4.5 |
| L R Appleman El Sch Benton | 9.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Benton Area MS Benton | 10.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Benton Area HS Benton | 10.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Kennedy Early Childhood Center Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 4.3 |
| GNA El Ctr Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area Ed Ctr Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area SHS Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Lake-Lehman JSHS Lehman | 12.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Lehman-Jackson El Sch Lehman | 12.6 mi | 6.0 |
| RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lehman | 12.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Lake-Noxen El Sch Lehman | 13.9 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18655 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,362
Median Home Value
$167,000
Median Rent
$889/mo
Population
5,789
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
83.6%
Avg Commute
36.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
47.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bloomsburg Area HS Bloomsburg, PA | 5.9 |
| Cambridge Springs JSHS Cambridge Springs, PA | 5.9 |
| Juniata Valley JSHS Alexandria, PA | 5.9 |
| Moniteau JSHS West Sunbury, PA | 5.9 |
| Williamson SHS Tioga, PA | 5.9 |
| Yough SHS Herminie, PA | 5.9 |
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 420
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Luzerne County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.5%
- Phone
- (570) 542-4126
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Northwest Area SD- District Enrollment
- 916
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,504
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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