For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,292 students in Carbon County, PA (there are 6 private schools, serving 354 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Carbon County, PA are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
The top ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA are Palmerton Area High School, Towamensing Elementary School and Jim Thorpe Area High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carbon County, PA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 55% statewide average). Schools in Carbon County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Carbon County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Palmerton Area High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3525 Fireline Rd
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-3155
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-3155
Grades: 9-12
| 504 students
Rank: #22.
Towamensing Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7920 Interchange Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 681-4024
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 681-4024
Grades: K-6
| 332 students
Rank: #33.
Jim Thorpe Area High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Olympian Way
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3663
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3663
Grades: 9-12
| 529 students
Rank: #44.
Weatherly Area High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
601 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8521
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8521
Grades: 9-12
| 155 students
Rank: #55.
Lehighton Area High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Indian Lane
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6180
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6180
Grades: 9-12
| 603 students
Rank: #66.
Carbon Career & Technical Institute
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
150 West 13th Street
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3682
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3682
Grades: 9-12
| 391 students
Rank: #77.
Weatherly Area Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
602 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8687
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8687
Grades: PK-5
| 311 students
Rank: #88.
S S Palmer Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
298 Lafayette Ave
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-7538
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-7538
Grades: 2-6
| 392 students
Rank: #99.
L B Morris Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
150 W 10th St
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2703
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2703
Grades: PK-8
| 615 students
Rank: #1010.
Lehighton Area Elementary Center
(Math: 35% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3 Indian Ln
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Grades: PK-5
| 1,013 students
Rank: #1111.
Penn-kidder Campus
(Math: 25% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2850 State Route 903
Albrightsville, PA 18210
(570) 722-1150
Albrightsville, PA 18210
(570) 722-1150
Grades: PK-8
| 548 students
Rank: #1212.
Weatherly Area Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
602 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8689
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8689
Grades: 6-8
| 139 students
Rank: #1313.
Palmerton Area Junior High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3529 Fireline Rd
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-2492
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-2492
Grades: 7-8
| 271 students
Rank: #1414.
Lehighton Area Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 Beaver Run Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6535
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6535
Grades: 6-8
| 504 students
Rank: #1515.
Panther Valley Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 North Mermon Avenue
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
(570) 669-9411
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
(570) 669-9411
Grades: K-3
| 608 students
Rank: #1616.
Panther Valley Intermediate School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
678 Panther Pride Drive
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Grades: 4-6
| 449 students
Rank: #1717.
Panther Valley Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
912 Coal Region Way
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Grades: 7-12
| 781 students
Rank: n/an/a
680 Fourth Street
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-4914
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-4914
Grades: K-1
| 147 students
Carbon County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
496 W Lizard Creek Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6094
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6094
Grades: K-4
| 127 students
1122 Fairyland Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6163
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6163
Grades: K-4
| 240 students
410 Center Ave
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2771
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2771
Grades: 7
| 170 students
2466 Mahoning Dr E
Lehighton, PA 18235
(570) 386-4678
Lehighton, PA 18235
(570) 386-4678
Grades: K-4
| 214 students
678 Panther Pride Drive
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Grades: 6-8
| 415 students
912 Coal Region Way
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Grades: 9-12
| 396 students
200 Beaver Run Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Grades: K-4
| 307 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA?
The top ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA include Palmerton Area High School, Towamensing Elementary School and Jim Thorpe Area High School.
How many public schools are located in Carbon County?
18 public schools are located in Carbon County.
What percentage of students in Carbon County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Carbon County are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carbon County?
Carbon County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Carbon County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Carbon County include: Palmerton Area High School vs. Lehighton Area High School, Jim Thorpe Area High School vs. Lehighton Area High School, Weatherly Area High School vs. Jim Thorpe Area High School
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