Northwest Area School District

243 Thorne Hill Rd
Shickshinny, PA 18655-9201
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 881 students in Northwest Area School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Schools in Northwest Area School District have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 56% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
3 Schools
2,931 Schools
# Students
881 Students
1,666,263 Students
# Teachers
70 Teachers
124,167 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Northwest Area School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (PA)
#405 out of 685 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
33%
38%
51%
55%
60-64%
57%
87%
87%
(2022-23)
20.8%
23.3%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.13
0.60
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
1%
16%
% Black
n/a
14%
% White
93%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $24,196 is higher than the state median of $23,730. The school district revenue/student has grown by 21% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,984 is higher than the state median of $23,152. The school district spending/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
This School District
This State (PA)
Total Revenue
$21 MM
$39,541 MM
Spending
$21 MM
$38,578 MM
Revenue / Student
$24,196
$23,730
Spending / Student
$23,984
$23,152

Best Northwest Area School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northwest Area Intermediate School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
21 Sunset Lake Rd
Shickshinny, PA 18655
(570) 256-3649
Gr: 3-6 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Northwest Area Primary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
417 Shickshinny Lake Rd
Shickshinny, PA 18655
(570) 864-3461
Gr: PK-2 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Northwest Area High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
243 Thorne Hill Rd
Shickshinny, PA 18655
(570) 542-4126
Gr: 7-12 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Northwest Area School District?
Northwest Area School District manages 3 public schools serving 881 students.
What is the rank of Northwest Area School District?
Northwest Area School District is ranked #413 out of 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Northwest Area School District?
93% of Northwest Area School District students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Northwest Area School District?
Northwest Area School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What is Northwest Area School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $23,984 is higher than the state median of $23,152. The school district spending/student has grown by 19% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 881 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 7%
  • : 87% (Top 50% in PA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 33% (Btm 50%)
  • : 51% (Btm 50%)
  • : 60-64% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

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