Top Rankings
Southern Columbia Area School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 1,195 students in Southern Columbia Area School District. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Schools in Southern Columbia Area School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 56% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 6% 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
2,929 Schools
# Students
1,195 Students
1,665,424 Students
# Teachers
92 Teachers
124,094 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Southern Columbia Area School District, which is ranked within the top 20% 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 92% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#98 out of 685 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
38%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
55%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
57%
Graduation Rate
92%
87.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)13%
23.3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.11
0.60
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
5%
Showing 2001–2022. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
2%
16%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
14%
Showing 1989–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
95%
60%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $23,004 in this school district is less than the state median of $26,978. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,664 is less than the state median of $26,274. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$28 MM
$44,930 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$24 MM
$43,758 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$23,004
$26,978
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$19,664
$26,274
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Southern Columbia Area School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southern Columbia High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
812 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Gr: 9-12 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Hartman El Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
802 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Gr: K-4 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Southern Columbia Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
810 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Gr: 5-8 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District manages 3 public schools serving 1,195 students.
What is the rank of Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District is ranked #106 out of 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Pennsylvania school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Southern Columbia Area School District?
95% of Southern Columbia Area School District students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What is Southern Columbia Area School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $19,664 is less than the state median of $26,274. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.
