Best Public Schools in Zip Code 17851

The 17851 zip code area in Pennsylvania is home to three schools - Mount Carmel Area Elementary School, Mount Carmel Area High School, and Mount Carmel Area Junior High School - all of which serve the Mount Carmel Area School District. Unfortunately, the data shows that these schools are consistently underperforming compared to state averages on key metrics like test scores and graduation rates.

Across all three schools, proficiency rates on PSSA and Keystone exams are significantly lower than the state averages, particularly in math. For example, in 2024-2025, the proficiency rate in PSSA Math for all grades at Mount Carmel Area Elementary School was just 25.7%, compared to the state average of 41.7%. The high school's Keystone Exam proficiency rates are also below state averages, with only 40% proficient in Literature compared to 62.1% statewide. Additionally, the high school's four-year graduation rate of 87.9% is lower than the state average.

One potential contributing factor to the schools' struggles is the high-poverty student population they serve, with all three schools having extremely high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 100% to 100.61%. Despite the relatively high per-student spending, the schools are still underperforming, suggesting potential challenges in how resources are being allocated and utilized within the district. To address these systemic issues, the Mount Carmel Area School District will need to implement targeted interventions and strategies to support student learning and achievement across all grade levels.