James Buchanan Elementary School

1621 Catasauqua Road
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(School attendance zone shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%
Serving 262 students in grades Kindergarten-5, James Buchanan Elementary School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-44% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 55-59% (which is approximately equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 262 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 60%
  • : Top 50% in PA
  • : 40-44% (Top 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 70-79% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

James Buchanan Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:

School Overview

James Buchanan Elementary School's student population of 262 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 21 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
262 students
This chart displays total students of James Buchanan Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of James Buchanan Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of James Buchanan Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of James Buchanan Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

James Buchanan Elementary School ranks within the top 50% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of James Buchanan Elementary School is 0.64, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (PA)
#1293 out of 2733 schools
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of James Buchanan Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
40-44%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
55-59%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
70-79%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
13:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of James Buchanan Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
3%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
44%
15%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
10%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
40%
61%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in James Buchanan Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Pennsylvania.
0.64
This chart displays the diversity score of James Buchanan Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
56%
60%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in James Buchanan Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is James Buchanan Elementary School's ranking?
James Buchanan Elementary School is ranked #1293 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are James Buchanan Elementary School often compared to?
James Buchanan Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Asa Packer Elementary School, Hanover Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 55-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
How many students attend James Buchanan Elementary School?
262 students attend James Buchanan Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of James Buchanan Elementary School students are Hispanic, 40% of students are White, 10% of students are Black, 3% of students are Asian, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of James Buchanan Elementary School?
James Buchanan Elementary School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does James Buchanan Elementary School offer ?
James Buchanan Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is James Buchanan Elementary School part of?
James Buchanan Elementary School is part of Bethlehem Area School District.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 262 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 60%
  • : Top 50%
  • : 40-44% (Top 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Top 50%)
  • : 70-79% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

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