Needs Improvement
#2772 of 2,846 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
2.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,470
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
2.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,772 of 2,846
In Plains
#3 of 4
public schools
In district
#8 of 9
Wilkes-Barre Area SD
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Wilkes-barre Area HS
High School in Plains · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Solomon/plains EL Sch
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Wilkes-barre Area HS
Wilkes-barre Area HS is a public high school in Plains, PA, part of Wilkes-Barre Area SD. Wilkes-barre Area HS serves approximately 2,470 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilkes-barre Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,772 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Wilkes-barre Area HS show 27% math proficiency (2024 PSSA) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (2024 PSSA).
- This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.0
- PA avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Wilkes-barre Area HS is a large school: 2,470 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
Wilkes-barre Area HS runs 21.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
36% of students at Wilkes-barre Area HS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View 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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. HOLY REDEEMER H.S. (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Wilkes-Barre), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRAHAM ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Luzerne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy (rated 7.0/10), 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 | 7.0 |
| Solomon/Plains El Sch Plains | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Solomon/Plains MS Plains | 0.6 mi | 2.4 |
| Daniel J Flood El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| AL NOOR ISLAMIC ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Dodson El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| 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 | 3.3 |
| GRAHAM ACADEMY Kingston | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Third Avenue El Sch Kingston | 1.6 mi | 2.7 |
| GENESIS SCHOOL Kingston | 1.6 mi | — |
| Heights/Murray El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Chester Street El Sch Kingston | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Wyoming Valley West MS Kingston | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Erie HS Erie, PA | 2.0 |
| Butler Area SHS Butler, PA | 4.0 |
| William Allen HS Allentown, PA | 4.1 |
| William Penn SHS York, PA | 4.2 |
| Truman SHS Levittown, PA | 4.3 |
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 ranks #2,772 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Wilkes-barre Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilkes-barre Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Wilkes-barre Area HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilkes-barre Area HS has 27% math proficiency (2024 PSSA) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (2024 PSSA).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.7%
- Phone
- (570) 826-7111
Resources & Links
District
Wilkes-Barre Area SD- District Enrollment
- 8,134
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,995
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
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