📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NJSLA 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
New Jersey: 22 Rated Districts
NJSLA 2024–25 · percentile among New Jersey districts
Pennsylvania: 22 Rated Districts
PSSA 2024–25 · percentile among Pennsylvania districts
| Rank in PA | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Southern Lehigh School District | Center Valley | 10/10 Excellent | 94th |
| #2 | Parkland School District | Allentown | 10/10 Excellent | 92nd |
| #3 | East Penn School District | Emmaus | 9/10 Excellent | 86th |
| #4 | Nazareth Area School District | Nazareth | 9/10 Excellent | 86th |
| #5 | Saucon Valley School District | Hellertown | 8/10 Good | 79th |
| #6 | Northwestern Lehigh School District | New Tripoli | 8/10 Good | 76th |
| #7 | Bangor Area School District | Bangor | 8/10 Good | 71st |
| #8 | Wilson Area School District | Easton | 6/10 Average | 57th |
| #9 | Salisbury Township School District | Allentown | 6/10 Average | 52nd |
| #10 | Northampton Area School District | Northampton | 6/10 Average | 51st |
| #11 | Palmerton Area School District | Palmerton | 6/10 Average | 51st |
| #12 | Whitehall-Coplay School District | Whitehall | 4/10 Below Average | 39th |
| #13 | Pen Argyl Area School District | Pen Argyl | 4/10 Below Average | 35th |
| #14 | Lehighton Area School District | Lehighton | 3/10 Below Average | 26th |
| #15 | Easton Area School District | Easton | 3/10 Below Average | 23rd |
| #16 | Jim Thorpe Area School District | Jim Thorpe | 3/10 Below Average | 22nd |
| #17 | Weatherly Area School District | Weatherly | 3/10 Below Average | 20th |
| #18 | Northern Lehigh School District | Slatington | 2/10 Poor | 19th |
| #19 | Bethlehem Area School District | Bethlehem | 2/10 Poor | 16th |
| #20 | Catasauqua Area School District | Catasauqua | 2/10 Poor | 13th |
| #21 | Panther Valley School District | Lansford | 1/10 Poor | 4th |
| #22 | Allentown City School District | Allentown | 1/10 Poor | 3rd |
Best School Districts in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area (2026)
This metro area crosses state lines, so it is shown as one table per state. Each state rates its districts on its own test, and a 9/10 in one state is not comparable with a 9/10 in another.
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from NJSLA 2024–25 (New Jersey); PSSA 2024–25 (Pennsylvania) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the New Jersey part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area? ▼
Among the 22 rated districts in the New Jersey part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, the highest-rated is Frelinghuysen Township School District (Newton), rated 8/10 (Good) and in the 70th percentile of New Jersey districts on NJSLA 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
What is the best-rated school district in the Pennsylvania part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area? ▼
Among the 22 rated districts in the Pennsylvania part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, the highest-rated is Southern Lehigh School District (Center Valley), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 94th percentile of Pennsylvania districts on PSSA 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
Can I compare districts across state lines here? ▼
No. Each state uses its own assessment, so ratings and percentiles are only comparable among districts in the same state. Full methodology here.