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Average

#1490 of 2,846 schools in PA

Palmerton Area Jhs

Middle School · Palmerton Area SD

3529 Fireline Rd, Palmerton, PA 18071

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,490 of 2,846

In Palmerton

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Palmerton Area SD

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Palmerton Area Jhs

6.3/10

Middle School in Palmerton · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Palmerton Area HS

7.0/10

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 Jhs

Palmerton Area Jhs is a public middle school in Palmerton, PA, part of Palmerton Area SD. Palmerton Area Jhs serves approximately 271 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmerton Area Jhs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,490 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Palmerton Area Jhs show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts above PA schools
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.9% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment6.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,395
Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

Palmerton Area Jhs — Students at Palmerton Area Jhs score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
34.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 60.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 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
64%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
24.7%
ELA
51.7%
2024
Math
34.8%
ELA
60.3%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Palmerton Area Jhs Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in PA
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

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

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 5.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Slatington), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lehighton Area MS (rated 4.9/10, 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 7.0
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 3.5 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 5.2 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 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
Avonworth MS Pittsburgh, PA 6.3
Carmichaels Area MS Carmichaels, PA 6.3
Freedom Area MS Freedom, PA 6.4
Kane Area MS Kane, PA 6.4
North Brandywine MS Coatesville, PA 6.4
Northern Cambria MS Northern Cambria, PA 6.4

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 ranks #1,490 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Palmerton Area Jhs's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmerton Area Jhs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Jhs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmerton Area Jhs has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

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
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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

District

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

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