Average
#1680 of 2,842 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
6.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shickshinny
#2 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#321 of 641
In district
#2 of 3
Northwest Area SD
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwest Area HS
Northwest Area HS is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, making it unique with its K-12 approach within one campus. With an enrollment of 420 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, Northwest Area HS offers personalized attention to help each student succeed.
The academic performance at Northwest Area HS is currently in the lower half of Pennsylvania schools, ranking 28th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 3.8 out of 10. In ELA/Reading, 57% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 27% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on improving student achievement.
Northwest Area HS is situated in a rural area with a close-knit community feel. While there isn't detailed neighborhood data available, the setting offers a supportive environment for students to grow and develop both academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwest Area HS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score 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 12 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: 5.1/10.
How Northwest Area HS Compares
See how Northwest Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 17.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 60.2% (2024).
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. Lake-Lehman JSHS (rated 6.5/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Lehman), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Berwick Area HS (rated 5.8/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Berwick), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Greater Nanticoke Area SHS (rated 4.7/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Nanticoke), 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 | 3.9 |
| Northwest Area Intermediate Sch Shickshinny | 4.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Ross El Sch Lehman | 6.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Berwick Area MS Berwick | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Berwick Area HS Berwick | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Salem El Sch Berwick | 8.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Nescopeck El Sch Nescopeck | 9.2 mi | 6.1 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick | 9.1 mi | 5.6 |
| West Berwick El Sch Berwick | 9.5 mi | 4.7 |
| L R Appleman El Sch Benton | 9.9 mi | 9.5 |
| Benton Area MS Benton | 10.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Benton Area HS Benton | 10.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Kennedy Early Childhood Center Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 4.5 |
| GNA El Ctr Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area Ed Ctr Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area SHS Nanticoke | 10.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Lake-Lehman JSHS Lehman | 12.3 mi | 6.5 |
| 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 | 8.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Area HS has a median household income of $68,362. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,000, with a median rent of $889/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Clarion-Limestone Area JSHS Strattanville, PA | 6.0 |
| Fairfield Area HS Fairfield, PA | 6.0 |
| Montoursville Area SHS Montoursville, PA | 6.0 |
| Neshannock JSHS New Castle, PA | 6.0 |
| Palmerton Area HS Palmerton, PA | 6.0 |
| Phoenix Academy Lancaster, PA | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #1680 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northwest Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Area HS has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Northwest Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Area HS has 27.4% math proficiency and 57.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (570) 542-4126
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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 methodologyRelated reading
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