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Wilkes-Barre Area School District

Item: Wilkes-Barre Area School District
Rating: 2
Author: Public School Review

730 S Main St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702-3623

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (570) 826-7111

www.wbasd.k12.pa.us

Top Rankings

Wilkes-Barre Area School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Pennsylvania for:

Overview

This School District

This State (PA)

# Schools

9 Schools

927 Schools

# Students

8,176 Students

594,310 Students

# Teachers

417 Teachers

44,702 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

20:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
6	636	124
7	618	171
8	605	173

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District Rank

Wilkes-Barre 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 78% has decreased from 85% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (PA)

#575 out of 685 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District
2023	#575
2022	#586
2021	#518
2019	#596
2018	#578
2017	#559
2016	#560
2015	#558
2014	#575
2013	#565
2012	#479
2011	#478
2010	#469

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16%

38%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	16%	38%
2022	12%	36%
2021	19%	38%
2019	21%	45%
2018	22%	45%
2017	24%	46%
2016	21%	46%
2015	20%	43%
2014	52%	72%
2013	52%	73%
2012	57%	74%
2011	62%	76%
2010	67%	75%

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28%

55%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2022	28%	55%
2021	32%	55%
2019	41%	62%
2018	22%	63%
2017	40%	63%
2016	40%	62%
2015	40%	62%
2014	50%	70%
2013	52%	70%
2012	55%	71%
2011	59%	73%
2010	60%	72%

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36%

57%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2022	36%	57%
2021	51%	64%

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78%

87.5%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	78%	87%
2022	81%	87%
2021	80%	87%
2020	83%	87%
2019	85%	86%
2018	85%	86%
2017	84%	86%
2016	88%	86%
2015	86%	86%
2014	74%	86%
2013	88%	85%
2012	86%	84%
2011	89%	85%

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(2022-23)

36.2%

23.3%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	36.2%	23.3%
2022	42.5%	26.6%
2021	19.3%	18.9%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.63

0.65

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	0.68	0.58
2022	0.69	0.57
2021	0.69	0.57
2020	0.70	0.55
2019	0.70	0.54
2018	0.68	0.53
2017	0.68	0.52
2016	0.67	0.51
2015	0.66	0.51
2014	0.64	0.49
2013	0.62	0.48
2012	0.59	0.47
2011	0.56	0.46
2010	0.55	0.44
2009	0.52	0.44
2008	0.49	0.43
2007	0.47	0.41
2006	0.43	0.41
2005	0.40	0.40
2004	0.34	0.40
2003	0.30	0.38
2002	0.25	0.37
2001	0.24	0.37
2000	0.21	0.35
1999	0.20	0.35
1998	0.18	0.34
1997	0.17	0.34
1996	0.17	0.33
1995	0.16	0.33
1994	0.15	0.33
1993	0.13	0.31
1992	0.13	0.31
1991	0.12	0.31
1990	0.12	0.30
1989	0.11	0.30
1988	0.11	0.30

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

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Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	2%	5%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	2%	4%
2019	2%	4%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	4%
2015	2%	4%
2014	2%	3%
2013	2%	4%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	3%
2010	2%	3%
2009	2%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	2%
2006	2%	3%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	2%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	2%	2%
1999	2%	2%
1998	2%	2%
1997	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1994	2%	2%
1993	2%	2%
1992	1%	2%
1991	1%	2%
1990	1%	1%
1989	2%	1%
1988	1%	2%

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% Hispanic

54%

17%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1992-2023)
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	46%	14%
2022	43%	14%
2021	42%	13%
2020	37%	13%
2019	37%	12%
2018	32%	11%
2017	32%	11%
2016	29%	10%
2015	26%	10%
2014	24%	10%
2013	23%	9%
2012	20%	9%
2011	18%	8%
2010	17%	8%
2009	15%	8%
2008	13%	7%
2007	11%	7%
2006	9%	6%
2005	7%	6%
2004	6%	6%
2003	4%	5%
2002	2%	5%
2001	2%	5%
2000	2%	4%
1999	1%	4%
1998	1%	4%
1997	1%	4%
1996	1%	3%
1995	1%	3%
1994	1%	3%
1992	1%	3%

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% Black

15%

20%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	16%	14%
2022	16%	14%
2021	17%	15%
2020	19%	15%
2019	19%	15%
2018	18%	15%
2017	18%	15%
2016	19%	15%
2015	19%	15%
2014	20%	15%
2013	19%	15%
2012	18%	15%
2011	18%	15%
2010	19%	16%
2009	18%	16%
2008	18%	16%
2007	18%	16%
2006	16%	16%
2005	15%	16%
2004	12%	16%
2003	11%	16%
2002	10%	15%
2001	10%	15%
2000	8%	15%
1999	8%	15%
1998	7%	14%
1997	7%	14%
1996	7%	14%
1995	6%	14%
1994	5%	14%
1993	5%	13%
1992	5%	13%
1991	5%	13%
1990	5%	13%
1989	4%	13%
1988	4%	13%

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% White

23%

53%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	29%	62%
2022	32%	63%
2021	31%	63%
2020	36%	64%
2019	36%	65%
2018	43%	66%
2017	43%	67%
2016	47%	68%
2015	48%	68%
2014	51%	69%
2013	54%	70%
2012	59%	71%
2011	62%	72%
2010	62%	73%
2009	65%	73%
2008	68%	74%
2007	70%	75%
2006	73%	75%
2005	76%	76%
2004	80%	76%
2003	83%	77%
2002	86%	78%
2001	87%	78%
2000	88%	79%
1999	89%	79%
1998	90%	80%
1997	91%	80%
1996	91%	81%
1995	92%	81%
1994	92%	81%
1993	93%	82%
1992	93%	82%
1991	94%	82%
1990	94%	83%
1989	94%	83%
1988	95%	83%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	7%	5%
2022	7%	5%
2021	8%	5%
2020	6%	4%
2019	6%	4%
2018	6%	4%
2017	6%	3%
2016	4%	3%
2015	5%	3%
2014	3%	3%
2013	2%	2%
2012	2%	2%
2011	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $20,618 in this school district is less than the state median of $26,978. The school district revenue/student has declined by 17% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $18,662 is less than the state median of $26,274. The school district spending/student has declined by 23% over four school years.

This School District

This State (PA)

Total Revenue

$169 MM

$44,930 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$169 MM	$30 MM
2022	$158 MM	$29 MM
2021	$133 MM	$27 MM
2020	$131 MM	$25 MM
2019	$135 MM	$25 MM
2018	$123 MM	$24 MM
2017	$119 MM	$24 MM
2016	$114 MM	$23 MM
2015	$100 MM	$21 MM
2014	$104 MM	$21 MM
2012	$100 MM	$20 MM
2011	$103 MM	$21 MM
2010	$100 MM	$21 MM
2009	$93 MM	$21 MM
2008	$93 MM	$21 MM
2007	$87 MM	$20 MM
2006	$85 MM	$20 MM
2005	$79 MM	$18 MM
2004	$72 MM	$17 MM
2003	$70 MM	$16 MM
2002	$67 MM	$18 MM
2001	$65 MM	$19 MM
2000	$64 MM	$18 MM
1999	$63 MM	$18 MM
1998	$63 MM	$18 MM
1997	$62 MM	$17 MM
1996	$61 MM	$17 MM
1995	$59 MM	$16 MM
1992	$50 MM	$14 MM
1990	$46 MM	$12 MM

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Spending

$153 MM

$43,758 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$153 MM	$30 MM
2022	$155 MM	$28 MM
2021	$171 MM	$25 MM
2020	$162 MM	$25 MM
2019	$136 MM	$25 MM
2018	$121 MM	$23 MM
2017	$120 MM	$23 MM
2016	$124 MM	$22 MM
2015	$90 MM	$20 MM
2014	$103 MM	$20 MM
2012	$95 MM	$19 MM
2011	$96 MM	$21 MM
2010	$90 MM	$20 MM
2009	$90 MM	$20 MM
2008	$92 MM	$20 MM
2007	$85 MM	$19 MM
2006	$84 MM	$21 MM
2005	$76 MM	$18 MM
2004	$71 MM	$17 MM
2003	$68 MM	$18 MM
2002	$65 MM	$19 MM
2001	$64 MM	$21 MM
2000	$63 MM	$18 MM
1999	$65 MM	$18 MM
1998	$66 MM	$18 MM
1997	$74 MM	$18 MM
1996	$63 MM	$17 MM
1995	$56 MM	$16 MM
1992	$47 MM	$14 MM
1990	$44 MM	$12 MM

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Revenue / Student

$20,618

$26,978

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$21,676	$24,520
2022	$24,855	$22,621
2021	$18,899	$20,683
2020	$18,092	$17,423
2019	$18,692	$17,496
2018	$17,469	$16,267
2017	$17,083	$17,283
2016	$16,615	$16,027
2015	$14,534	$12,967
2014	$15,058	$13,618
2012	$14,135	$12,923
2011	$14,778	$13,182
2010	$14,589	$12,967
2009	$13,878	$12,476
2008	$13,877	$11,970
2007	$12,469	$12,325
2006	$12,307	$11,373
2005	$11,338	$9,887
2004	$10,386	$9,342
2003	$9,989	$8,561
2002	$9,471	$9,347
2001	$9,124	$9,246
2000	$8,821	$8,505
1999	$8,664	$8,127
1998	$8,539	$7,716
1997	$8,347	$7,409
1995	$7,967	$6,949
1992	$6,749	$6,008
1990	$6,198	$5,260

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Spending / Student

$18,662

$26,274

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Wilkes-Barre Area School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$19,619	$23,814
2022	$24,364	$21,674
2021	$24,334	$19,381
2020	$22,290	$17,371
2019	$18,898	$17,056
2018	$17,133	$15,644
2017	$17,206	$16,490
2016	$18,041	$15,754
2015	$13,039	$12,300
2014	$14,849	$13,435
2012	$13,422	$12,431
2011	$13,672	$12,980
2010	$13,089	$12,300
2009	$13,355	$11,944
2008	$13,611	$11,838
2007	$12,202	$11,937
2006	$12,285	$11,377
2005	$10,893	$9,707
2004	$10,221	$9,347
2003	$9,719	$9,243
2002	$9,235	$9,853
2001	$9,018	$10,315
2000	$8,748	$8,598
1999	$8,859	$8,268
1998	$8,979	$7,996
1997	$9,933	$7,728
1995	$7,491	$6,895
1992	$6,386	$6,055
1990	$5,925	$5,391

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Best Wilkes-Barre Area School District Public Middle Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Solomon/plains Middle School

(Math: 11% | Reading: 33%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

43 Abbott St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7224

Gr: 6-8 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 67%

Rank: #22.

G A R Middle School

(Math: 10% | Reading: 24%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

250 South Grant Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7165

Gr: 6-8 | 1,101 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 87%

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 9 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 8,176 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Minority Enrollment: 77%
: 78% (Btm 50% in PA)
: Bottom 50%
: 16% (Btm 50%)
: 28% (Btm 50%)
: 36% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education