For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 11,014 students in Wilkes Barre, PA (there are 9 private schools, serving 904 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Wilkes Barre, PA are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Wilkes Barre, PA are Bear Creek Community Charter School, Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy and Wilkes-barre Area Career & Technical Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wilkes Barre, PA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 56% statewide average). Schools in Wilkes Barre have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public schools.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Wilkes Barre, PA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bear Creek Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
30 Charter School Way
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 820-4070
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 820-4070
Gr: K-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2021 Wolfpack Way
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7111
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7111
Gr: 9-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Wilkes-barre Area Career & Technical Center
Vocational School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Jumper Road Plains Township
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 822-4131
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 822-4131
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #44.
Solomon/plains Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
41 Abbott St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7222
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7222
Gr: K-5 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #55.
Lee Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
99 Lee Park Ave
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 824-4741
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 824-4741
Gr: 3-4 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #66.
Wilkes-barre Area High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2021 Wolfpack Way
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7111
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7111
Gr: 9-12 | 2,569 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #77.
Hanover Area Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
80 W Saint Marys Rd
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 822-5102
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 822-5102
Gr: 5-6 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #88.
Daniel J Flood Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
565 N Washington St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7245
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7245
Gr: K-5 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #99.
Dr David W Kistler Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 Old River Rd
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7230
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7230
Gr: K-5 | 961 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1010.
Lyndwood Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2 Collet St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 820-4301
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 820-4301
Gr: PK-K | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1111.
Solomon/plains Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
43 Abbott St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7224
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7224
Gr: 6-8 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1212.
Heights/murray Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1 S Sherman St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7256
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7256
Gr: K-5 | 838 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1313.
Hanover Area Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Sans Souci Pkwy
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 831-2300
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 831-2300
Gr: 7-12 | 977 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1414.
Dodson Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
13 Hillard St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 235-6894
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 235-6894
Gr: K-5 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1515.
G A R Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
250 South Grant Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7165
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7165
Gr: 6-8 | 1,101 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
561 Main Rd
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 824-3941
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 824-3941
Gr: 1-2 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Wilkes Barre, PA?
The top-ranked public schools in Wilkes Barre, PA include Bear Creek Community Charter School, Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy and Wilkes-barre Area Career & Technical Center.
How many public schools are located in Wilkes Barre?
16 public schools are located in Wilkes Barre.
What percentage of students in Wilkes Barre go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Wilkes Barre are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wilkes Barre?
Wilkes Barre public schools minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Wilkes Barre are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wilkes Barre include: Solomon/plains Elementary School vs. Daniel J Flood Elementary School, Dodson Elementary School vs. Daniel J Flood Elementary School, Daniel J Flood Elementary School vs. Solomon/plains Elementary School
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