Top 10 Best Wilkes Barre Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 10,816 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 Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy, Bear Creek Community Charter School 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 14% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 55% 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 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Public Schools in Wilkes Barre, PA (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2021 Wolfpack Way
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7111
Grades: 9-12
| 84 students
Rank: #22.
Bear Creek Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
30 Charter School Way
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 820-4070
Grades: K-8
| 581 students
Rank: #33.
Wilkes-barre Area Career & Technical Center
Vocational School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Jumper Road Plains Township
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 822-4131
Grades: 9-12
| 40 students
Rank: #44.
Wilkes-barre Area High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2021 Wolfpack Way
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7111
Grades: 9-12
| 2,470 students
Rank: #55.
Lee Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
99 Lee Park Ave
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 824-4741
Grades: 3-4
| 298 students
Rank: #66.
Solomon/plains Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
41 Abbott St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7222
Grades: K-5
| 708 students
Rank: #77.
Daniel J Flood Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
565 N Washington St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7245
Grades: K-5
| 620 students
Rank: #88.
Lyndwood Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2 Collet St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 820-4301
Grades: PK-K
| 235 students
Rank: #99.
Hanover Area Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
80 W Saint Marys Rd
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 822-5102
Grades: 5-6
| 331 students
Rank: #1010.
Hanover Area Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 Sans Souci Pkwy
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 831-2300
Grades: 7-12
| 956 students
Rank: #1111.
Dr David W Kistler Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Old River Rd
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7230
Grades: K-5
| 970 students
Rank: #1212.
Solomon/plains Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
43 Abbott St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18705
(570) 826-7224
Grades: 6-8
| 741 students
Rank: #1313.
Heights/murray Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1 S Sherman St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7256
Grades: K-5
| 843 students
Rank: #1414.
G A R Middle School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
250 South Grant Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7165
Grades: 6-8
| 1,066 students
Rank: #1515.
Dodson Elementary School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
13 Hillard St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 235-6894
Grades: K-5
| 483 students
Rank: n/an/a
561 Main Rd
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 824-3941
Grades: 1-2
| 289 students
Rank: n/an/a
80 Jones St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7111
Grades: PK
| 101 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
341 Carey Ave
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
(570) 826-7145
Grades: 7-12
| 883 students
80 N Washington St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18701
(570) 826-7111
Grades: 9-12
| 896 students
2 Collet St
Wilkes Barre, PA 18706
(570) 820-4301
Grades: PK
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Wilkes Barre, PA?
How many public schools are located in Wilkes Barre?
17 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 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Wilkes Barre are often viewed compared to one another?

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