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Luzerne County

Pennsylvania · Public K-12

Pennsylvania's Luzerne County runs 65 public K-12 schools between its districts, the largest being Hazleton Area SD at 12,171 students. The level mix is 38 elementary, 11 middle, and 16 high schools.

4-year change in Luzerne County

SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
44,957
+5,076 (+13%) vs SY 2020-21
School count
63
+1 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages

How Luzerne County ranks

Among counties
MeasureThis countyIn PennsylvaniaIn the US
State test proficiency
ranked highest first
38.1%#61 of 62N/A
Enrollment
ranked largest first
45,209#12 of 64#240 of 2,745
Number of schools
ranked most first
65#14 of 64N/A
Students per teacher
ranked fewest first
16.1:1#64 of 64#2,099 of 2,655
Free or reduced-price lunch share
ranked highest first
84.8%#12 of 63#422 of 2,526
Diversity index
ranked most diverse first
60.4%#8 of 64#539 of 2,707
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.

Luzerne County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
Residents
327,675
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
65
17 districts
Enrollment
45,209
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$63,691
Below Pennsylvania avg
Free/reduced lunch
84.8%
Above Pennsylvania avg
Elementary
38
21,207 students
Middle
11
8,468 students
High
16
15,534 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hazleton Area SD
12,171 students · 17 districts in Luzerne County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Luzerne County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
76%
Hispanic
17%
Black
5%
Asian
1%
Two or more
10%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
50%
Hispanic
37%
Black
7%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
25.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
11.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.8%
civilian labor
Median age
42
20.3% under 18

Test scores in Luzerne County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 49 schools ranked. Pennsylvania state average: 51.1%.

Top 5 schools (ELA)
  1. Dallas MS· 61.7%
  2. Fairview El Sch· 61.6%
  3. Dallas SHS· 61.3%
  4. Dallas Intermediate Sch· 59.5%
  5. Rice El Sch· 57.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
  1. Hazleton El/MS· 21.0%
  2. State El Ctr· 21.9%
  3. GNA El Ctr· 22.2%
  4. Hanover Area JSHS· 22.5%
  5. Maple Manor El/MS· 24.3%

See all 49 schools in Luzerne County ranked by score →

All schools (65)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Hazleton Area HSHazle TownshipHigh09-124,071·
Wilkes-Barre Area HSPlainsHigh09-122,569·
Crestwood Secondary CampusMountain TopHigh07-121,379·
State El CtrLarksvilleElementaryKG-051,376·
Wyoming Valley West SHSPlymouthHigh09-121,362·
Heights Terrace El/MSHazletonElementaryKG-081,236·
Wyoming Valley West MSKingstonMiddle06-081,139·
G A R MSWilkes-BarreMiddle06-081,101·
Maple Manor El/MSHazle TownshipMiddle03-081,092·
Pittston Area SHSPittstonHigh09-121,055·
West Hazleton El/MSWest HazletonElementaryKG-081,023·
Freeland El/MSFreelandElementaryKG-08991·
Hanover Area JSHSHanover TownshipHigh07-12977·
Dr David W Kistler El SchWilkes BarreElementaryKG-05961·
Valley El/MSSugarloafElementaryKG-08957·
Wyoming Area Sec CtrExeterHigh07-12929·
Hazleton El/MSHazletonMiddle03-08895·
Drums El/MSDrumsElementaryKG-08842·
Heights/Murray El SchWilkes BarreElementaryKG-05838·
Berwick Area MSBerwickMiddle05-08837·
Pittston Area MSPittstonMiddle06-08761·
Solomon/Plains MSPlainsMiddle06-08758·
Dallas SHSDallasHigh09-12745·
Lake-Lehman JSHSLehmanHigh07-12745·
Rice El SchMountain TopElementaryKG-06735·
Pittston City Intrmd CtrPittstonElementary03-05730·
Solomon/Plains El SchPlainsElementaryKG-05718·
Martin F Quinn Pittston Area Primary CtrPittstonElementaryPK-02701·
Greater Nanticoke Area SHSNanticokeHigh09-12698·
Hazle Township Early Learning CenterHazle TownshipElementaryPK-02633·
Dana El CtrForty FortElementaryKG-05626·
Daniel J Flood El SchWilkes BarreElementaryKG-05616·
Fairview El SchMountaintopElementaryKG-06612·
Bear Creek Community CSBear Creek TownshipElementaryKG-08604·
Dallas MSDallasMiddle06-08589·
Dallas Intermediate SchDallasElementary03-05561·
East Berwick El SchBerwickElementaryKG-04539·
Greater Nanticoke Area Ed CtrNanticokeMiddle06-08533·
Dodson El SchWilkes BarreElementaryKG-05522·
GNA El CtrNanticokeElementary03-05513·
Wycallis Primary CenterDallasElementaryKG-02512·
Kennedy Early Childhood CenterNanticokeElementaryPK-02505·
Wyoming Area Primary CtrWyomingElementary01-03465·
Wyoming Area Intermediate CtrWest PittstonMiddle04-06444·
West Side Career & Technology CenterKingstonHigh09-12437·
Arthur Street El SchHazletonElementaryKG-02431·
Lehman-Jackson El SchDallasElementaryKG-06411·
Northwest Area HSShickshinnyHigh07-12406·
Lee Park El SchHanover TownshipElementary03-04322·
Hanover Area Memorial El SchHanover TownshipMiddle05-06319·
Hanover Green El SchHanover TownshipElementary01-02318·
Chester Street El SchKingstonElementary01-05294·
Lyndwood El SchHanover TownshipElementaryPK-KG268·
Northwest Area Intermediate SchShickshinnyElementary03-06260·
Lake-Noxen El SchHarvey'S LakeElementaryKG-06236·
Northwest Area Primary SchShickshinnyElementaryPK-02215·
Ross El SchSweet ValleyElementaryKG-06166·
Nescopeck El SchNescopeckElementaryKG-04151·
Wyoming Area Kindergarten CtrExeterElementaryKG-KG121·
Wolfpack Early Learning AcademyWilkes-BarreElementaryPK-PK101·
Third Avenue El SchKingstonElementaryKG-KG97·
Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM AcademyPlainsHigh09-1293·
Northeast Secure Treatment UnitPittston TownshipHigh07-1237·
Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical CenterWilkes-BarreHigh09-1230·
Hazleton Area Career CenterHazle TwpHigh09-121·

Cities in Luzerne County

Dallas5 schoolsHanover Township5 schoolsKingston4 schoolsNanticoke4 schoolsPittston4 schoolsPlains4 schoolsWilkes Barre4 schoolsHazle Township3 schoolsHazleton3 schoolsShickshinny3 schoolsWilkes-Barre3 schoolsBerwick2 schoolsExeter2 schoolsMountain Top2 schoolsBear Creek Township1 schoolDrums1 schoolForty Fort1 schoolFreeland1 schoolHarvey'S Lake1 schoolHazle Twp1 schoolLarksville1 schoolLehman1 schoolMountaintop1 schoolNescopeck1 schoolPittston Township1 schoolPlymouth1 schoolSugarloaf1 schoolSweet Valley1 schoolWest Hazleton1 schoolWest Pittston1 schoolWyoming1 school

About Luzerne County

Luzerne County is a population-heavy Pennsylvania county of about 327,675 residents, home to 65 public schools and roughly 45,209 students.

For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $63,691 a year, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 11% noticeably below the Pennsylvania median.

In terms of grade levels, Luzerne County is made up of 38 elementary schools (21,207 students), 11 middle schools (8,468), and 16 high schools (15,534).

Hazleton Area SD dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 12,171 students on its own.

Looking at the last 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Luzerne County has climbed 13% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 39,881 students to 44,957. Luzerne County now counts 63 public schools, up from 62 in SY 2020-21.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Luzerne County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Luzerne County?
There are 65 public K-12 schools in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with a combined enrollment of about 45,209.
How many high schools are in Luzerne County?
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania has 16 public high schools, serving approximately 15,534 students.
How many middle schools are in Luzerne County?
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania has 11 public middle schools, serving approximately 8,468 students.
How many elementary schools are in Luzerne County?
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania has 38 public elementary schools, serving approximately 21,207 students.
What is the largest school district in Luzerne County?
Hazleton Area SD is the largest school district in Luzerne County, serving approximately 12,171 students. The county contains 17 school districts overall.
What is the population of Luzerne County?
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 327,675, with a median age of 42. About 20.3% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Luzerne County?
Median household income in Luzerne County is $63,691, below the Pennsylvania average of $71,313. About 11.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Luzerne County?
Approximately 25.3% of adults 25 and older in Luzerne County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Luzerne County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 84.8% of students in Luzerne County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Pennsylvania county average of 69.2%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Luzerne County schools?
Across Luzerne County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 17.0 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data