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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lancaster Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 38 public schools serving 21,645 students in Lancaster, PA (there are 25 private schools, serving 4,033 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Lancaster, PA are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lancaster, PA are Neff School, Centerville Elementary School and Nitrauer School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lancaster, PA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 56% statewide average). Schools in Lancaster have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Public Schools in Lancaster, PA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Neff School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
21 Valley Rd
Lancaster, PA 17606
(717) 569-8502
Gr: K-4 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Centerville Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
901 Centerville Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 898-5575
Gr: K-6 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Nitrauer School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
811 Ashbourne Ave
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 569-4239
Gr: K-4 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Schaeffer School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
875 Pleasure Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 392-6797
Gr: K-4 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Landis Run Intermediate School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
25 Blue Streak Boulevard
Lancaster, PA 17606
(717) 581-9124
Gr: 5-6 | 929 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #66.
Manheim Twp High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
School Road
Lancaster, PA 17606
(717) 560-3097
Gr: 9-12 | 1,953 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Manheim Twp Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
School Road
Lancaster, PA 17606
(717) 560-3111
Gr: 7-8 | 914 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Brecht School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1250 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 291-1733
Gr: K-4 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #99.
Rohrerstown Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2200 Noll Drive
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 299-7126
Gr: K-6 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1010.
Bucher School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
450 Candlewyck Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 569-4291
Gr: K-4 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1111.
Conestoga Valley Sr. High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2110 Horseshoe Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 397-5231
Gr: 9-12 | 1,304 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1212.
Fritz Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
845 Hornig Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 397-5246
Gr: K-5 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1313.
Manor Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2950 Charlestown Rd
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 872-9510
Gr: 7-8 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1414.
Hambright Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3000 Charlestown Rd
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 872-9503
Gr: K-6 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1515.
Centerville Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
865 Centerville Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 898-5580
Gr: 7-8 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1616.
Smoketown Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
500 Mount Sidney Road
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 394-0555
Gr: K-5 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1717.
Gerald G Huesken Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2114 Horseshoe Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 397-1294
Gr: 6-8 | 851 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1818.
Wharton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
705 N Mary St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6281
Gr: PK-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1919.
Ross Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
840 N Queen St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6268
Gr: PK-5 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2020.
Wickersham Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
401 N Reservoir St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6291
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2121.
Leola Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2426 Old Philadelphia Pike
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 656-2068
Gr: K-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2222.
Burrowes Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 E Orange St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6159
Gr: PK-5 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2323.
Smith-wade-el Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
910 Hamilton Park Drive
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6151
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2424.
Price Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
340 S. West End Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6252
Gr: PK-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2525.
Reynolds Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
605 W Walnut St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6257
Gr: 6-8 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2626.
Martin School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2000 Wabank Rd
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6193
Gr: PK-8 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2727.
Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 Wabank Rd
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6166
Gr: PK-5 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2828.
Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 Lehigh Ave
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6187
Gr: 6-8 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2929.
King Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
466 Rockland St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6178
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3030.
Fulton Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
225 W Orange St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6110
Gr: PK-5 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #3131.
Lafayette Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 Fremont St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6183
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3232.
Mccaskey Campus
(Math: 7% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
445 N Reservoir St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6211
Gr: 9-12 | 2,600 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3333.
Wheatland Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
919 Hamilton Park Dr
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 291-6285
Gr: 6-8 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3434.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
545 S Ann St
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 291-6275
Gr: PK-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3535.
Carter And Macrae Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
251 S Prince St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 396-6842
Gr: PK-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Show 3 more public schools in Lancaster, PA (out of 38 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lancaster, PA?
The top-ranked public schools in Lancaster, PA include Neff School, Centerville Elementary School and Nitrauer School.
How many public schools are located in Lancaster?
38 public schools are located in Lancaster.
What percentage of students in Lancaster go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Lancaster are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lancaster?
Lancaster public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Lancaster are often viewed compared to one another?

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