For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,292 students in Carbon County, PA (there are 6 private schools, serving 354 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Carbon County, PA are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
The top ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA are Towamensing Elementary School, Palmerton Area High School and Weatherly Area Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carbon County, PA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 55% statewide average). Schools in Carbon County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Carbon County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Towamensing Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7920 Interchange Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 681-4024
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 681-4024
Gr: K-6 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Palmerton Area High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3525 Fireline Rd
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-3155
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-3155
Gr: 9-12 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Weatherly Area Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
602 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8687
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8687
Gr: PK-5 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Weatherly Area High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8521
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8521
Gr: 9-12 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Jim Thorpe Area High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1 Olympian Way
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3663
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3663
Gr: 9-12 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Carbon Career & Technical Institute
Vocational School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
150 West 13th Street
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3682
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3682
Gr: 9-12 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
L B Morris Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
150 W 10th St
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2703
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2703
Gr: PK-8 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Lehighton Area Elementary Center
(Math: 40% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3 Indian Ln
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Gr: PK-5 | 1,013 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #99.
S S Palmer Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
298 Lafayette Ave
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-7538
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-7538
Gr: 2-6 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Palmerton Area Junior High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3529 Fireline Rd
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-2492
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-2492
Gr: 7-8 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Lehighton Area High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1 Indian Lane
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6180
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6180
Gr: 9-12 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Weatherly Area Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
602 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8689
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8689
Gr: 6-8 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1313.
Penn-kidder Campus
(Math: 26% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2850 State Route 903
Albrightsville, PA 18210
(570) 722-1150
Albrightsville, PA 18210
(570) 722-1150
Gr: PK-8 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1414.
Lehighton Area Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 Beaver Run Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6535
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6535
Gr: 6-8 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1515.
Panther Valley Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 North Mermon Avenue
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
(570) 669-9411
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
(570) 669-9411
Gr: K-3 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1616.
Panther Valley Intermediate School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
678 Panther Pride Drive
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Gr: 4-6 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1717.
Panther Valley Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
912 Coal Region Way
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Gr: 7-12 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
680 Fourth Street
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-4914
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-4914
Gr: K-1 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Carbon County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
496 W Lizard Creek Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6094
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6094
Gr: K-4 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
1122 Fairyland Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6163
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6163
Gr: K-4 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
410 Center Ave
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2771
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2771
Gr: 7 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
2466 Mahoning Dr E
Lehighton, PA 18235
(570) 386-4678
Lehighton, PA 18235
(570) 386-4678
Gr: K-4 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
678 Panther Pride Drive
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Gr: 6-8 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
912 Coal Region Way
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Gr: 9-12 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
200 Beaver Run Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Gr: K-4 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA?
The top ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA include Towamensing Elementary School, Palmerton Area High School and Weatherly Area Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Carbon County?
18 public schools are located in Carbon County.
What percentage of students in Carbon County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Carbon County are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carbon County?
Carbon County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Carbon County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Carbon County include: Palmerton Area High School vs. Lehighton Area High School, Weatherly Area High School vs. Jim Thorpe Area High School, Jim Thorpe Area High School vs. Lehighton Area High School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
