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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carbon County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,292 students in Carbon County, PA (there are 4 private schools, serving 161 private students). 98% 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 Towamensing Elementary School, Palmerton Area High School and Weatherly Area Elementary 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 30% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 56% 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 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Public Schools in Carbon County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Towamensing Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7920 Interchange Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 681-4024
Gr: K-6 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Palmerton Area High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3525 Fireline Rd
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-3155
Gr: 9-12 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Weatherly Area Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
602 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8687
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Weatherly Area High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
601 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8521
Gr: 9-12 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Jim Thorpe Area High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Olympian Way
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3663
Gr: 9-12 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Carbon Career & Technical Institute
Vocational School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
150 West 13th Street
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-3682
Gr: 9-12 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
L B Morris Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
150 W 10th St
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
(570) 325-2703
Gr: PK-8 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Lehighton Area Elementary Center
(Math: 40% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3 Indian Ln
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-7880
Gr: PK-5 | 1,005 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #99.
S S Palmer Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
298 Lafayette Ave
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-7538
Gr: 2-6 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
Palmerton Area Junior High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3529 Fireline Rd
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-2492
Gr: 7-8 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Lehighton Area High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Indian Lane
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6180
Gr: 9-12 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Weatherly Area Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
602 6th St
Weatherly, PA 18255
(570) 427-8689
Gr: 6-8 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Penn-kidder Campus
(Math: 26% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2850 State Route 903
Albrightsville, PA 18210
(570) 722-1150
Gr: PK-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1414.
Lehighton Area Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Beaver Run Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610) 377-6535
Gr: 6-8 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1515.
Panther Valley Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1 North Mermon Avenue
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
(570) 669-9411
Gr: K-3 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1616.
Panther Valley Intermediate School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
678 Panther Pride Drive
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2175
Gr: 4-6 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1717.
Panther Valley Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
912 Coal Region Way
Lansford, PA 18232
(570) 645-2171
Gr: 7-12 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: n/an/a
Parkside Education Center
680 Fourth Street
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610) 826-4914
Gr: K-1 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA?
The top-ranked public schools in Carbon County, PA include Towamensing Elementary School, Palmerton Area High School and Weatherly Area Elementary 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?
98% 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 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Carbon County are often viewed compared to one another?

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