Best Public Schools in Allentown, PA

The city of Allentown, Pennsylvania is home to 34 schools across two school districts - the Allentown City School District and the Parkland School District. The schools serve a diverse range of students, from high-performing Parkland High School to more economically disadvantaged schools in the Allentown City district.

The data shows a significant gap in academic performance, graduation rates, and other key metrics between the two districts. Parkland High School and Springhouse Middle School in the Parkland district are standout high-performing schools, ranking among the top in the state. In contrast, the Allentown City high schools have much lower proficiency rates on state exams and graduation rates ranging from 74% to 82%. This disparity is likely influenced by the higher rates of free/reduced lunch eligibility and lower per-student spending in the Allentown City schools.

However, there are some bright spots in the Allentown area, including the exceptional performance of Executive Education Academy Charter School, which serves a predominantly low-income student population but achieves a 97.9% four-year graduation rate. The Arts Academy Elementary Charter School and Arts Academy Charter School also stand out, suggesting that charter schools can be effective in providing quality education in challenging circumstances.