Pennsylvania is the #8 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,665,424 students across the 2,929 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 2,233 private schools, serving 273,216 students). 86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Pennsylvania is 38%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 56%.
The top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania are Downingtown Stem Academy, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, and Fairview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 40%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Pennsylvania (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Downingtown Stem Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
335 Manor Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 269-8460
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 269-8460
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
250 E Mcmurray Rd
Canonsburg, PA 15317
(724) 941-6260
Canonsburg, PA 15317
(724) 941-6260
Rank: #33.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
738 Dorseyville Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-9315
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-9315
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Bradford Woods Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
41 Forest Road
Bradfordwoods, PA 15015
(724) 935-5081
Bradfordwoods, PA 15015
(724) 935-5081
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Central High School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1700 W Olney Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 400-3590
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 400-3590
Rank: #66.
Ithan Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
695 Clyde Rd
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 527-1357
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 527-1357
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Bower Hill Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
424 Bower Hill Road
Venetia, PA 15367
(724) 941-0913
Venetia, PA 15367
(724) 941-0913
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Mccormick Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
2801 Beaver Grade Rd
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 264-9440
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 264-9440
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Wexford Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
250 Brown Road
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-4631
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-4631
Rank: #1010.
Merion Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
549 S Bowman Ave
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
Overview
This State (PA)
US
# Schools
2,929 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
1,665,424 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
# Teachers
124,094 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (PA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
43%
Graduation Rate
87.5%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
59%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.60
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
3,368 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
80,754 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
5%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
259,472 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
236,631 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
14%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
992,407 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
60%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
1,521 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
91,271 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (PA)
Statewide Total Revenue
$44,930 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$43,758 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$26,978
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$26,274
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Pennsylvania Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania include Downingtown Stem Academy, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, and Fairview Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pennsylvania?
2,929 public schools are located in Pennsylvania.
What percentage of students in Pennsylvania go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennsylvania?
Minority enrollment in Pennsylvania is 40%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black.
Which public schools in Pennsylvania are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pennsylvania include: Orefield Middle School vs. Springhouse Middle School, Bloomsburg Area Middle School vs. Central Columbia Middle School, Western Wayne High School vs. Honesdale High School
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