Excellent
#331 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 12% in state
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch
Elementary School · Northwest Area SD
21 Sunset Lake Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
3rd – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shickshinny
#1 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#271 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 3
Northwest Area SD
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwest Area Intermediate Sch
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch is a public elementary school in Shickshinny, PA, part of the Northwest Area SD. The school serves approximately 259 students in grades 3rd – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.4th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 40% proficiency in math, 5 points below the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 7 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $68,362, where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwest Area Intermediate Sch 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Northwest Area Intermediate Sch — Students at Northwest Area Intermediate Sch score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Northwest Area Intermediate Sch Compares
See how Northwest Area Intermediate Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 44.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 47.1% (2024).
Location
21 Sunset Lake Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Area Intermediate Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake-Noxen El Sch (rated 8.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Lehman), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ross El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Lehman), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lehman-Jackson El Sch (rated 6.0/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Lehman), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shickshinny, see our Shickshinny schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ross El Sch Lehman | 3.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Northwest Area HS Shickshinny | 4.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Kennedy Early Childhood Center Nanticoke | 6.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Northwest Area Primary Sch Shickshinny | 6.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area SHS Nanticoke | 6.5 mi | 4.7 |
| GNA El Ctr Nanticoke | 6.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area Ed Ctr Nanticoke | 6.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Lake-Lehman JSHS Lehman | 7.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Lehman-Jackson El Sch Lehman | 8.0 mi | 6.0 |
| RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lehman | 8.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Lake-Noxen El Sch Lehman | 10.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Rice El Sch Mountain Top | 9.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Hanover Area JSHS Hanover Township | 8.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Hanover Green El Sch Hanover Township | 8.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Wyoming Valley West SHS Plymouth | 8.6 mi | 4.7 |
| WYOMING VALLEY SDA ELEMENTARY Mountain Top | 9.5 mi | — |
| Lyndwood El Sch Hanover Township | 9.5 mi | 3.4 |
| State El Ctr Larksville | 10.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Hanover Area Memorial El Sch Hanover Township | 9.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Berwick Area MS Berwick | 12.2 mi | 6.6 |
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 Intermediate Sch 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 |
|---|---|
| Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elem Foxburg, PA | 8.2 |
| Avona El Sch Easton, PA | 8.2 |
| Barkley El Sch Phoenixville, PA | 8.2 |
| Bridgeport El Sch Bridgeport, PA | 8.2 |
| Hanover El Sch Bethlehem, PA | 8.2 |
| Kelly Primary Sch Wilkinsburg, PA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Area Intermediate Sch
What grades does Northwest Area Intermediate Sch serve?
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.
How many students attend Northwest Area Intermediate Sch?
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Area Intermediate Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Area Intermediate Sch is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Area Intermediate Sch rank in PA?
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch is ranked #331 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northwest Area Intermediate Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Intermediate Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Area Intermediate Sch has 39.7% math proficiency and 46.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Area Intermediate Sch a charter school?
No, Northwest Area Intermediate Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Area Intermediate Sch a Title I school?
No, Northwest Area Intermediate Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Area Intermediate Sch?
55.2% of students at Northwest Area Intermediate Sch 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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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 6th
- Enrollment
- 259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Luzerne County
- Phone
- (570) 256-3649
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwest Area SD- District Enrollment
- 916
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,504
- District Rank
- #1 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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