Needs Improvement
#2753 of 2,842 schools in PA
Wilkes-barre Area HS
High School · Wilkes-Barre Area SD
2021 Wolfpack Way, Plains, PA 18705
Enrollment
2,470
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,470
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plains
#4 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#623 of 641
In district
#9 of 9
Wilkes-Barre Area SD
About Wilkes-barre Area HS
Wilkes-Barre Area High School serves 2,470 students in grades 9-12 on Wolfpack Way in Plains, Pennsylvania. With 114 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.7 to 1, providing educational services to one of the larger high school populations in Luzerne County. Academically, the school has room for growth, with students showing mixed performance on state assessments.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 51% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents a greater challenge with 27% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school ranks in the 25th percentile among Pennsylvania high schools, reflecting opportunities for continued academic development and support. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $57,152 and median home value sits at $114,900.
About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.9% of families experience poverty, indicating a mixed socioeconomic student body that brings varied backgrounds and experiences to the classroom. Wilkes-Barre Area High School operates within Plains' large suburban setting in northeastern Pennsylvania, serving families throughout the greater Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
Wilkes-barre Area HS is a large school with 2,470 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Wilkes-barre Area HS is 21.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Wilkes-barre Area HS — Students at Wilkes-barre Area HS score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 2 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
How Wilkes-barre Area HS Compares
See how Wilkes-barre Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2021 Wolfpack Way, Plains, PA 18705
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wilkes-barre Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy (rated 8.0/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY REDEEMER H.S. (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Wilkes-Barre), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GRAHAM ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Luzerne), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plains, see our Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy Plains | 0.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Solomon/Plains El Sch Plains | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Solomon/Plains MS Plains | 0.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Daniel J Flood El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| AL NOOR ISLAMIC ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Dodson El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| JENNY LYNN FERRARO ACADEMY Kingston | 1.2 mi | — |
| WILKES-BARRE ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Dana El Ctr Forty Fort | 1.6 mi | 3.6 |
| GRAHAM ACADEMY Kingston | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Third Avenue El Sch Kingston | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| GENESIS SCHOOL Kingston | 1.6 mi | — |
| Heights/Murray El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Chester Street El Sch Kingston | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Wyoming Valley West MS Kingston | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| JENNY LYNN ELEMENTARY Kingston | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Wyoming | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| GRAHAM ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Luzerne | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| BAIS MENACHEM YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROG Wilkes-Barre | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| HOLY REDEEMER H.S. Wilkes-Barre | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,293
Median Home Value
$122,800
Median Rent
$1,006/mo
Population
15,595
College Educated
23.3%
Homeownership
63.9%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
18.8%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wilkes-barre Area HS has a median household income of $61,293. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,800, with a median rent of $1,006/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.8%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Altoona Area HS Altoona, PA | 3.8 |
| Emmaus HS Emmaus, PA | 3.8 |
| William Allen HS Allentown, PA | 3.5 |
| Baldwin SHS Pittsburgh, PA | 4.1 |
| Boyertown Area SHS Boyertown, PA | 4.1 |
| Louis E Dieruff HS Allentown, PA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wilkes-barre Area HS
What grades does Wilkes-barre Area HS serve?
Wilkes-barre Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Wilkes-barre Area HS?
Wilkes-barre Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 2,470 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilkes-barre Area HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Wilkes-barre Area HS is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wilkes-barre Area HS rank in PA?
Wilkes-barre Area HS is ranked #2753 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Wilkes-barre Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilkes-barre Area HS has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Wilkes-barre Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilkes-barre Area HS has 27.1% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wilkes-barre Area HS a charter school?
No, Wilkes-barre Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wilkes-barre Area HS a Title I school?
No, Wilkes-barre Area HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilkes-barre Area HS?
100.0% of students at Wilkes-barre 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,470
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 114
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Luzerne County
- Phone
- (570) 826-7111
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilkes-Barre Area SD- District Enrollment
- 8,134
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,995
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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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