Southern Columbia Area School District

800 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(District boundaries shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%

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%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 1,207 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 36%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 55% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
3 Schools
2,928 Schools
# Students
1,207 Students
1,668,648 Students
# Teachers
90 Teachers
124,158 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

District Rank

Southern Columbia Area School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 675 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90-94% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (PA)
#90 out of 684 school districts
(Top 20%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Southern Columbia Area   School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
51%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Southern Columbia Area   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
69%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Southern Columbia Area   School District 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.
68%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Southern Columbia Area   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
90-94%
87%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Southern Columbia Area   School District and public school graduation rate of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.12
0.59
# American Indian Students
1 Student
3,204 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
7 Students
78,034 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%
# Hispanic Students
29 Students
249,018 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
15%
# Black Students
10 Students
237,342 Students
% Black Students
1%
14%
# White Students
1,131 Students
1,011,502 Students
% White Students
94%
61%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
1,518 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
29 Students
88,750 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
8,485
# Students in K Grade:
90
114,122
# Students in 1st Grade:
89
120,768
# Students in 2nd Grade:
97
126,133
# Students in 3rd Grade:
108
120,907
# Students in 4th Grade:
77
125,578
# Students in 5th Grade:
96
126,001
# Students in 6th Grade:
91
126,714
# Students in 7th Grade:
106
128,950
# Students in 8th Grade:
89
129,786
# Students in 9th Grade:
77
141,323
# Students in 10th Grade:
92
138,358
# Students in 11th Grade:
92
131,939
# Students in 12th Grade:
103
129,584
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,800 in this school district is less than the state median of $23,696. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,417 is less than the state median of $23,119. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (PA)
Total Revenue
$24 MM
$39,541 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Southern Columbia Area   School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$22 MM
$38,578 MM
This chart displays total spending of Southern Columbia Area   School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$19,800
$23,696
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Southern Columbia Area   School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$18,417
$23,119
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Southern Columbia Area   School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Southern Columbia Area School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Southern Columbia High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
812 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Grades: 9-12
| 364 students
Rank: #22.
Hartman El Center
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
802 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Grades: K-4
| 461 students
Rank: #33.
Southern Columbia Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
810 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Grades: 5-8
| 382 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District manages 3 public schools serving 1,207 students.
What is the rank of Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District is ranked #96 out of 675 school districts in Pennsylvania (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Pennsylvania school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%) and Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Southern Columbia Area School District?
94% of Southern Columbia Area School District students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, 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 lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 14:1.
What is Southern Columbia Area School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $18,417 is less than the state median of $23,119. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Recent Articles

Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 1,207 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 6%
  • : 90-94% (Top 50% in PA)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 51% (Top 20%)
  • : 69% (Top 20%)
  • : 68% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Quick Links