Skip to main content

Very Good

#1073 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 38% in state

Palmerton Area HS

High School · Palmerton Area SD

3525 Fireline Rd, Palmerton, PA 18071

Enrollment

504

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,073 of 2,846

In Palmerton

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

Palmerton Area SD

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Palmerton Area HS?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Palmerton Area HS

7.0/10

High School in Palmerton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Palmerton Area Jhs

6.3/10

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

Parkside Education Center

7.0/10

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

About Palmerton Area HS

Palmerton Area HS is a public high school in Palmerton, PA, part of Palmerton Area SD. Palmerton Area HS serves approximately 504 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmerton Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,073 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Palmerton Area HS show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts above PA schools
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • PA avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+6.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation7.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,395
Chronic Absenteeism18.7%

Palmerton Area HS — Students at Palmerton Area HS score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 74.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 26 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
67%
2021*
Math
67%
2024
Math
48.3%
ELA
69%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Palmerton Area HS Compares

See how Palmerton Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
62th percentile in PA
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.8
Sports
6
5 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
7.7% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics6sports offered
5 boys'·1 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

3525 Fireline Rd, Palmerton, PA 18071

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palmerton Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Carbon Career & Technical Institute (rated 7.3/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Jim Thorpe), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lehighton Area HS (rated 7.2/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Lehighton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northern Lehigh SHS (rated 7.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Slatington), 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 6.3
Parkside Education Center Palmerton 0.6 mi 7.0
ST JOHN NEUMANN REGIONAL SCHOOL Palmerton 0.6 mi 6.4
S S Palmer El Sch Palmerton 0.6 mi 5.5
Slatington El Sch Slatington 3.2 mi 5.8
Northern Lehigh SHS Slatington 3.5 mi 7.1
Northern Lehigh MS Slatington 3.6 mi 5.6
ST JOHN NEUMANN REGIONAL SCHOOL Slatington 4.6 mi 6.4
Towamensing El Sch Lehighton 4.6 mi 8.5
Lehigh El Sch Walnutport 5.1 mi 7.8
Peters El Sch Slatington 6.4 mi 6.6
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 4.9
WILLOW ACADEMY Lehighton 6.3 mi 6.2
Lehighton Area HS Lehighton 6.3 mi 7.2
Lehighton Area Elementary Center Lehighton 6.3 mi 7.3
Jim Thorpe Area HS Jim Thorpe 7.7 mi 6.0
Carbon Career & Technical Institute Jim Thorpe 8.1 mi 7.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beaver Area SHS Beaver, PA 7.0
Brookville JSHS Brookville, PA 7.0
Hanover SHS Hanover, PA 7.0
Jefferson County-DuBois Area Vocational-Technical School Reynoldsville, PA 7.0
Juniata SHS Mifflintown, PA 7.0
North East High School North East, PA 7.0

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 ranks #1,073 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Palmerton Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmerton Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Palmerton Area HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmerton Area HS has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.7%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Palmerton Area SD
District Enrollment
1,666
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,395
District Rank
#2 of 5

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.