Average
#1681 of 2,842 schools in PA
Palmerton Area HS
High School · Palmerton Area SD
3525 Fireline Rd, Palmerton, PA 18071
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmerton
#4 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#322 of 641
In district
#5 of 5
Palmerton Area SD
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Palmerton Area HS
Palmerton Area High School serves 504 students in grades 9 through 12 in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #770 out of 2,852 high schools statewide, placing it in the 73rd percentile among Pennsylvania schools.
Students show particularly strong performance in English Language Arts and reading, with 69% achieving proficiency or above. Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 48% of students meeting proficiency standards. Located at 3525 Fireline Road, Palmerton Area High School serves a community where the median household income is $68,163 and median home values reach $184,200.
The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 11,107 residents, with 16% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 11.9% poverty rate. The school sits in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area, offering students access to both small-town community feel and broader metropolitan opportunities. This location provides a balanced environment for students to pursue their educational goals while remaining connected to their local community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palmerton Area HS — Students at Palmerton Area HS score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 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: 4.6/10.
How Palmerton Area HS Compares
See how Palmerton Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2021).
Location
3525 Fireline Rd, Palmerton, PA 18071
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmerton Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jim Thorpe Area HS (rated 6.9/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Jim Thorpe), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Carbon Career & Technical Institute (rated 6.1/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Jim Thorpe), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lehighton Area HS (rated 5.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Lehighton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palmerton, see our Palmerton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Palmerton Area JHS Palmerton | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Parkside Education Center Palmerton | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| ST JOHN NEUMANN REGIONAL SCHOOL Palmerton | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| S S Palmer El Sch Palmerton | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Slatington El Sch Slatington | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Northern Lehigh SHS Slatington | 3.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Northern Lehigh MS Slatington | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| ST JOHN NEUMANN REGIONAL SCHOOL Slatington | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Towamensing El Sch Lehighton | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Lehigh El Sch Walnutport | 5.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Peters El Sch Slatington | 6.4 mi | 6.1 |
| BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES ISST Weissport | 5.1 mi | 6.8 |
| VALLEY RIDGE ACADEMY Lehighton | 5.6 mi | — |
| PACKER RIDGE ACADEMY Lehighton | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Lehighton Area MS Lehighton | 6.3 mi | 5.6 |
| WILLOW ACADEMY Lehighton | 6.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Lehighton Area HS Lehighton | 6.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Lehighton Area Elementary Center Lehighton | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Jim Thorpe Area HS Jim Thorpe | 7.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Carbon Career & Technical Institute Jim Thorpe | 8.1 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,996
Median Home Value
$195,200
Median Rent
$949/mo
Population
11,047
College Educated
15.5%
Homeownership
70.5%
Avg Commute
30.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
48.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palmerton Area HS has a median household income of $70,996. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,200, with a median rent of $949/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bermudian Springs HS York Springs, PA | 6.0 |
| Clarion-Limestone Area JSHS Strattanville, PA | 6.0 |
| Montoursville Area SHS Montoursville, PA | 6.0 |
| Neshannock JSHS New Castle, PA | 6.0 |
| Northwest Area HS Shickshinny, PA | 6.0 |
| Upper Dauphin Area HS Elizabethville, PA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmerton Area HS
What grades does Palmerton Area HS serve?
Palmerton Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Palmerton Area HS?
Palmerton Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 504 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmerton Area HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmerton Area HS is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmerton Area HS rank in PA?
Palmerton Area HS is ranked #1681 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Palmerton Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmerton 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 Palmerton Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmerton Area HS has 62.4% math proficiency and 68.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmerton Area HS a charter school?
No, Palmerton Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmerton Area HS a Title I school?
No, Palmerton Area HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmerton Area HS?
39.5% of students at Palmerton 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
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (711/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palmerton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 504
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Carbon County
- Phone
- (610) 826-3155
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palmerton Area SD- District Enrollment
- 1,666
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,395
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.