For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 5,107 students in Lancaster, PA.
The top ranked public preschools in Lancaster, PA are Ross Elementary School, Wharton Elementary School and Wickersham Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lancaster, PA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Pennsylvania public pre school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 38% statewide average). Pre schools in Lancaster have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public preschool average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Lancaster, PA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ross Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
840 N Queen St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6268
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6268
Grades: PK-5
| 264 students
Rank: #22.
Wharton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
705 N Mary St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6281
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6281
Grades: PK-5
| 333 students
Rank: #33.
Wickersham Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
401 N Reservoir St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6291
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6291
Grades: PK-5
| 397 students
Rank: #44.
Smith-wade-el Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
910 Hamilton Park Drive
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6151
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6151
Grades: PK-5
| 409 students
Rank: #55.
Burrowes Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1001 E Orange St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6159
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6159
Grades: PK-5
| 318 students
Rank: #66.
Martin School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2000 Wabank Rd
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6193
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6193
Grades: PK-8
| 650 students
Rank: #77.
King Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
466 Rockland St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6178
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6178
Grades: PK-5
| 403 students
Rank: #88.
Price Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
615 Fairview Ave
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6252
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6252
Grades: PK-5
| 356 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Wabank Rd
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6166
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6166
Grades: PK-5
| 335 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Lafayette Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Fremont St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6183
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6183
Grades: PK-5
| 446 students
Rank: #1111.
Fulton Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
225 W Orange St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6110
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6110
Grades: PK-5
| 272 students
Rank: #1212.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
545 S Ann St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6275
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6275
Grades: PK-5
| 478 students
Rank: #1313.
Carter And Macrae Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
251 S Prince St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 396-6842
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 396-6842
Grades: PK-5
| 446 students
Lancaster, Pennsylvania Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Buehrle Alternative Ed School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
426 East Clay St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6232
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6232
Grades: 6-12
| 152 students
1202 Park City Ctr
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 295-2499
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 295-2499
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
1051 Lehigh Ave
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6211
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6211
Grades: 7-10
| 1,491 students
School Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 519-1502
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 519-1502
Grades: 6
| 508 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Lancaster, PA?
The top ranked public preschools in Lancaster, PA include Ross Elementary School, Wharton Elementary School and Wickersham Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Lancaster?
13 public preschools are located in Lancaster.
What is the racial composition of students in Lancaster?
Lancaster public preschools minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public preschools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Lancaster are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Lancaster include: King Elementary School vs. Carter And Macrae Elementary School, Ross Elementary School vs. Wharton Elementary School, Carter And Macrae Elementary School vs. King Elementary School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
