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Average

#1881 of 2,846 schools in PA

Northwest Area Primary Sch

Elementary School · Northwest Area SD

417 Shickshinny Lake Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655

Enrollment

221

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,881 of 2,846

In Shickshinny

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Northwest Area SD

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Northwest Area Primary Sch

5.5/10

Elementary School in Shickshinny · grades Pre-K – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northwest Area HS

5.9/10

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

Ross EL Sch

5.1/10

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

About Northwest Area Primary Sch

Northwest Area Primary Sch is a public elementary school in Shickshinny, PA, part of Northwest Area SD. Northwest Area Primary Sch serves approximately 221 students, and covers grades Pre-K-2nd, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest Area Primary Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,881 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Northwest Area Primary Sch show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2017) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2017).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Northwest Area Primary Sch runs 22.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Northwest Area Primary 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 Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2017
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2017 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2017 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency52% (2017 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2017 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,504
Chronic Absenteeism17.2%

Northwest Area Primary Sch — Students at Northwest Area Primary Sch score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2016-17)

Math Proficiency 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2017)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2017)
School
State
N/A

Based on 8 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
72%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
62%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.

How Northwest Area Primary Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in PA
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.2%

Location

417 Shickshinny Lake Rd, Shickshinny, PA 18655

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwest Area Primary Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Columbia El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Salem El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Berwick), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nescopeck El Sch (rated 7.5/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Nescopeck), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shickshinny, see our Shickshinny schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwest Area HS Shickshinny 2.4 mi 5.9
Ross El Sch Lehman 6.8 mi 5.1
Northwest Area Intermediate Sch Shickshinny 6.5 mi 6.4
Berwick Area HS Berwick 8.6 mi 7.0
Berwick Area MS Berwick 8.7 mi 5.8
Salem El Sch Berwick 8.8 mi 8.3
NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick 9.4 mi 5.6
West Berwick El Sch Berwick 9.6 mi 4.5
Nescopeck El Sch Nescopeck 9.8 mi 7.5
L R Appleman El Sch Benton 7.6 mi 7.3
Benton Area MS Benton 7.7 mi 7.6
Benton Area HS Benton 7.7 mi 4.6
Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School Bloomsburg 13.2 mi 6.6
Central Columbia El Sch Bloomsburg 13.3 mi 8.7
Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg 13.6 mi 7.2
Central Columbia SHS Bloomsburg 13.7 mi 8.6
Lake-Noxen El Sch Lehman 14.6 mi 7.4
Lake-Lehman JSHS Lehman 13.6 mi 6.4
Kennedy Early Childhood Center Nanticoke 12.6 mi 4.3
GNA El Ctr Nanticoke 12.6 mi 2.9

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
Clark Wood El Sch Elkland, PA 5.5
Dr Cleveland Steward Jr El Sch Monroeville, PA 5.5
Dunbar Paul L Sch Philadelphia, PA 5.5
Girard Stephen Sch Philadelphia, PA 5.5
HOLY FAMILY REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aston, PA 5.5
Hegins-Hubley El Sch Valley View, PA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwest Area Primary Sch

What grades does Northwest Area Primary Sch serve?

Northwest Area Primary Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Northwest Area Primary Sch?

Northwest Area Primary Sch has an enrollment of approximately 221 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Area Primary Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Area Primary Sch is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwest Area Primary Sch rank in PA?

Northwest Area Primary Sch ranks #1,881 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Northwest Area Primary Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest Area Primary Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Primary Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest Area Primary Sch has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2017) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2017).

Is Northwest Area Primary Sch a charter school?

No, Northwest Area Primary Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northwest Area Primary Sch a Title I school?

No, Northwest Area Primary Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Area Primary Sch?

60.2% of students at Northwest Area Primary 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Luzerne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.2%

District

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

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