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Average

#1431 of 2,846 schools in PA

Northwest Area Intermediate Sch

Elementary School · Northwest Area SD

21 Sunset Lake Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655

Enrollment

259

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

3rd – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,431 of 2,846

In Shickshinny

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Northwest Area SD

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Northwest Area Intermediate Sch

6.4/10

Elementary School in Shickshinny · grades 3rd – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ross EL Sch

5.1/10

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

Northwest Area HS

5.9/10

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

About Northwest Area Intermediate Sch

Northwest Area Intermediate Sch is a public elementary school in Shickshinny, PA, part of Northwest Area SD. Northwest Area Intermediate Sch serves approximately 259 students, and covers grades 3rd-6th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest Area Intermediate Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,431 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Northwest Area Intermediate Sch show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Northwest Area Intermediate Sch 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,504
Chronic Absenteeism15.1%

Northwest Area Intermediate Sch — Students at Northwest Area Intermediate Sch score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
44.3% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 53.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 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
72%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
38.7%
ELA
45.4%
2024
Math
44.4%
ELA
47.6%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Northwest Area Intermediate Sch Compares

See how Northwest Area Intermediate Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in PA
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Lehman), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lyndwood El Sch (rated 6.7/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Hanover Township), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lehman-Jackson El Sch (rated 6.0/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Lehman), with a comparable rating. 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 5.1
Northwest Area HS Shickshinny 4.8 mi 5.9
Kennedy Early Childhood Center Nanticoke 6.4 mi 4.3
Northwest Area Primary Sch Shickshinny 6.5 mi 5.5
Greater Nanticoke Area SHS Nanticoke 6.5 mi 4.6
GNA El Ctr Nanticoke 6.5 mi 2.9
Greater Nanticoke Area Ed Ctr Nanticoke 6.5 mi 5.9
Lake-Lehman JSHS Lehman 7.7 mi 6.4
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 7.4
Rice El Sch Mountain Top 9.1 mi 5.4
Hanover Area JSHS Hanover Township 8.5 mi 3.0
Hanover Green El Sch Hanover Township 8.5 mi 3.9
Wyoming Valley West SHS Plymouth 8.6 mi 5.4
WYOMING VALLEY SDA ELEMENTARY Mountain Top 9.5 mi
Lyndwood El Sch Hanover Township 9.5 mi 6.7
State El Ctr Larksville 10.0 mi 4.2
Hanover Area Memorial El Sch Hanover Township 9.9 mi 3.6
Berwick Area MS Berwick 12.2 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Chambersburg, PA 6.4
Earle C. Davis Primary North East, PA 6.4
Eisenhower El Sch Indiana, PA 6.4
Emily Brittain El Sch Butler, PA 6.4
Fink El Sch Middletown, PA 6.4
Fox Twp El Sch Kersey, PA 6.4

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 ranks #1,431 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Northwest Area Intermediate Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest Area Intermediate Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Intermediate Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest Area Intermediate Sch has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

District

Northwest Area SD
District Enrollment
916
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,504
District Rank
#1 of 3

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