Drums El/MS

Drums El/MS operates as a big primary school in Drums, Pennsylvania, one of the schools within Hazleton Area SD. Current enrollment sits at 842 students spanning grades K through 8. Compared to the state average of about 443 students per school, that is 90% bigger than typical.

Across the 11 schools in Hazleton Area SD (13,071 students total), Drums El/MS accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On demographics, Drums El/MS logs that the largest single group is White, at 62% of enrollment. The remainder is composed of 30% Hispanic, 3% Black, 3% multiracial. That is considerably less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 76%.

In terms of school funding signals, Drums El/MS records 51 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 16.5:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.1:1, putting Drums El/MS higher than the state norm the norm. Around 95% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy. By comparison, Luzerne County runs at roughly 85%, so the school's eligibility rate is higher than the surrounding baseline.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Drums El/MS tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 36.8% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 45.2%.

Zooming out to the county, community-level numbers for Luzerne County indicate median household income runs about $63,691, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Drums El/MS is one of 65 public schools in Luzerne County (combined enrollment of about 45,209 students).

Nearest neighbor: Hazle Township Early Learning Center, around 2.7 miles off. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around Drums El/MS. On composite proficiency, Drums El/MS comes 1st of 6 in the immediate cluster, above the nearby-schools average of 27.7%.

The campus sits in a rural setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count grew 16%: 729 students in 2018 compared to 842 in 2025. The White share of enrollment declined from 84% to 62% over that span.

On the community side, posts here usually surface around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.