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#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

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

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.1Above Average33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.7%
Math vs. State Avg-14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness3.3Fair40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Significantly Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,413

Wilkes-barre Area HS — Students at Wilkes-barre Area HS score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.1%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 50.7%
School
State
64.0%

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.

Overall Score
3.7/10
3th percentile in PA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Environment
1.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
114 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wilkes-Barre Area SD
District Enrollment
8,134
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,995
District Rank
#9 of 9

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 methodology

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