Average
#1133 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 40% in state
Palmerton Area Jhs
Middle School · Palmerton Area SD
3529 Fireline Rd, Palmerton, PA 18071
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmerton
#2 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#191 of 514
In district
#3 of 5
Palmerton Area SD
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Palmerton Area Jhs
Palmerton Area JHS is a regular public middle school located in the town of Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Serving seventh and eighth graders, this school has an enrollment of 271 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from its 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Palmerton Area JHS shows areas for improvement; the MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, and it ranks #1522 in Pennsylvania among 2852 schools (47th percentile).
In terms of proficiency rates, ELA/Reading scores indicate that 59% of students are proficient or above, while only 33% meet the standard in Math. Despite these numbers, the school is dedicated to fostering student development and growth. Palmerton Area JHS sits on the edge of an urban area, offering a mix of rural and suburban environments for its students.
This setting provides a unique blend of community support and diverse educational opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palmerton Area Jhs — Students at Palmerton Area Jhs score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 8.3/10.
How Palmerton Area Jhs Compares
See how Palmerton Area Jhs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 34.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 60.4% (2024).
Location
3529 Fireline Rd, Palmerton, PA 18071
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmerton Area Jhs may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Northern Lehigh MS (rated 8.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Slatington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lehighton Area MS (rated 5.6/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Lehighton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palmerton, see our Palmerton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Palmerton Area HS Palmerton | 0.0 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 3.5 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 | 5.2 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 Jhs 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 |
|---|---|
| Ligonier Valley MS Ligonier, PA | 6.8 |
| Beaver Area MS Beaver, PA | 6.7 |
| McConnellsburg MS Mcconnellsburg, PA | 6.7 |
| Science Leadership Academy MS Philadelphia, PA | 6.7 |
| South Allegheny MS Mckeesport, PA | 6.7 |
| West Branch MS Morrisdale, PA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmerton Area Jhs
What grades does Palmerton Area Jhs serve?
Palmerton Area Jhs serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Palmerton Area Jhs?
Palmerton Area Jhs has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmerton Area Jhs?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmerton Area Jhs is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmerton Area Jhs rank in PA?
Palmerton Area Jhs is ranked #1133 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Palmerton Area Jhs's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmerton Area Jhs has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Jhs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmerton Area Jhs has 33.3% math proficiency and 58.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmerton Area Jhs a charter school?
No, Palmerton Area Jhs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmerton Area Jhs a Title I school?
No, Palmerton Area Jhs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmerton Area Jhs?
46.5% of students at Palmerton Area Jhs 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 271
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Carbon County
- Phone
- (610) 826-2492
- 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
- #3 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
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