Best Public Schools in Zip Code 18517

The 18517 zip code area is home to two schools - Riverside Junior/Senior High School and Riverside Elementary School West, both part of the Riverside School District. While Riverside Junior/Senior High School is a relatively strong-performing 7th-12th grade public school, Riverside Elementary School West has historically struggled, ranking in the bottom 40% of Pennsylvania elementary schools.

Riverside Junior/Senior High School stands out with a 3-star rating, strong academic performance, and a solid 87.9% 4-year graduation rate. In contrast, Riverside Elementary School West is a smaller elementary school that has not performed as well. Both schools serve a very high-poverty student population, with over 99% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, which likely presents unique challenges.

The data suggests the Riverside School District is allocating significant resources to support these high-need schools, with per-student spending ranging from $15,581 to $16,497. However, the performance gap between the high school and elementary school indicates the funding may not be optimally utilized. Addressing the disparities in school performance and ensuring all students in the 18517 zip code area receive a quality education should be a priority for the district.