Mount Carmel Area School District

The Mount Carmel Area School District in Pennsylvania operates three schools: one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. While the district as a whole ranks in the bottom quarter of Pennsylvania school districts, a closer look reveals some standout schools and areas of concern.

The Mount Carmel Area Elementary School stands out with the highest enrollment, but it has consistently ranked in the bottom 25% of Pennsylvania elementary schools and struggles with low proficiency rates in math and English language arts, despite strong science performance. In contrast, the Mount Carmel Area High School maintains a relatively high graduation rate and low dropout rate, though its Keystone Exam proficiency rates are below state averages. The Mount Carmel Area Junior High School has the lowest enrollment and the poorest academic performance, with PSSA proficiency rates below state averages across all subjects.

A common thread across the district is the extremely high poverty levels, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 74.24% at the high school to 100% at the junior high school. This suggests that the schools serve a predominantly low-income student population, which likely contributes to the academic challenges faced by the district. Addressing these systemic issues should be a top priority for the Mount Carmel Area School District.