Pennsylvania is the #8 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,666,699 students across the 2,932 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 1,940 private schools, serving 266,562 students). 86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Pennsylvania is 38%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 56%.
The top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania are Downingtown Stem Academy, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, and Fairview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 40%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Pennsylvania (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Downingtown Stem Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
335 Manor Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 269-8460
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 269-8460
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
250 E Mcmurray Rd
Canonsburg, PA 15317
(724) 941-6260
Canonsburg, PA 15317
(724) 941-6260
Rank: #33.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
738 Dorseyville Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-9315
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-9315
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Bradford Woods Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
41 Forest Road
Bradfordwoods, PA 15015
(724) 935-5081
Bradfordwoods, PA 15015
(724) 935-5081
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Central High School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1700 W Olney Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 400-3590
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 400-3590
Rank: #66.
Ithan Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
695 Clyde Rd
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 527-1357
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 527-1357
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Bower Hill Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
424 Bower Hill Road
Venetia, PA 15367
(724) 941-0913
Venetia, PA 15367
(724) 941-0913
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Mccormick Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
2801 Beaver Grade Rd
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 264-9440
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 264-9440
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Wexford Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
250 Brown Road
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-4631
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-4631
Rank: #1010.
Merion Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
549 S Bowman Ave
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
Overview
This State (PA)
US
# Schools
2,932 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
1,666,699 Students
49,339,277 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
124,207 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (PA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
43%
Graduation Rate
87%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
59%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.60
0.71
# American Indian Students
3,369 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
80,802 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
5%
6%
# Hispanic Students
259,548 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
30%
# Black Students
236,985 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
14%
15%
# White Students
993,100 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
60%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,522 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
91,373 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (PA)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$39,541 MM
Spending (24-25)
$38,578 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$23,724
Spending / Student (24-25)
$23,146
Best Pennsylvania Public Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania include Downingtown Stem Academy, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, and Fairview Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pennsylvania?
2,932 public schools are located in Pennsylvania.
What percentage of students in Pennsylvania go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennsylvania?
Minority enrollment in Pennsylvania is 40%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black.
Which public schools in Pennsylvania are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pennsylvania include: Orefield Middle School vs. Springhouse Middle School, Western Wayne High School vs. Honesdale High School, Midd-west High School vs. Selinsgrove Area High School
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