If you’re relocating to Lancaster, PA or just moving to a new location within Lancaster County, the quality of school districts in Lancaster County might be one of the most important factors in choosing where you eventually find your next home!

According to niche.com‘s report on ranking Lancaster County’s school districts, of the 17 school districts in Lancaster County, Lampeter-Strasburg School District comes out in the top spot, while Columbia Borough rounds out the bottom.

Here’s the full list and grades (note: these are not my rankings, but rather Niche.com’s rankings based on an analysis of key stats and reviews from students and parents):

#1 – Lampeter-Strasburg School District (Grade: A)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

Percent Proficiency (percent of students above state average) – Reading: 78%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 65%

Average SAT score: 1230

Average ACT score: 29

Average Graduation Rate: 94%

#2 – Manheim Township School District (Grade: A)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 80%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 64%

Average SAT score: 1220

Average ACT score: 28

Average Graduation Rate: 91%

#3 – Conestoga Valley School District (Grade: A)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 73%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 55%

Average SAT score: 1160

Average ACT score: 29

Average Graduation Rate: 96%

#4 – Cocalico School District (Grade: A)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 77%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 53%

Average SAT score: 1160

Average ACT score: 27

Average Graduation Rate: 93%

#5 – Hempfield School District (Grade: A)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 74%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 58%

Average SAT score: 1220

Average ACT score: 28

Average Graduation Rate: 90%

#6 – Penn Manor School District (Grade: A-)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 69%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 58%

Average SAT score: 1170

Average ACT score: 27

Average Graduation Rate: 94%

#7 – Donegal School District (Grade: A-)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 67%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 51%

Average SAT score: 1150

Average ACT score: 27

Average Graduation Rate: 93%

#8 – Ephrata Area School District (Grade: B+)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 66%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 54%

Average SAT score: 1150

Average ACT score: 24

Average Graduation Rate: 92%

#9 – Warwick School District (Grade: B+)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 74%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 53%

Average SAT score: 1190

Average ACT score: 28

Average Graduation Rate: 96%

#10 – Eastern Lancaster County School District (Grade: B+)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 69%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 52%

Average SAT score: 1150

Average ACT score: 26

Average Graduation Rate: 94%

#11 – Manheim Central School District (Grade: B+)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 68%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 56%

Average SAT score: 1160

Average ACT score: 26

Average Graduation Rate: 94%

#12 – Elizabethtown Area School District (Grade: B+)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 70%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 60%

Average SAT score: 1170

Average ACT score: 28

Average Graduation Rate: 91%

#13 – Pequea School District (Grade: B+)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 59%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 41%

Average SAT score: 1140

Average ACT score: 26

Average Graduation Rate: 92%

#14 – Octorara School District (Grade: B-)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 61%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 46%

Average SAT score: 1160

Average ACT score: 25

Average Graduation Rate: 88%

#15 – Lampeter-Strasburg School District (Grade: B-)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 78%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 65%

Average SAT score: 1230

Average ACT score: 29

Average Graduation Rate: 94%

#16 – Lancaster School District (Grade: C+)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 39%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 23%

Average SAT score: 1080

Average ACT score: 26

Average Graduation Rate: 84%

#17 – Columbia Borough School District (Grade: C-)

Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1

Percent Proficiency – Reading: 45%

Percent Proficiency – Math: 24%

Average SAT score: 1030

Average ACT score: Unknown

Average Graduation Rate: Unknown

The Bottom Line

If you’re putting a big emphasis on your new home search based on the rankings of school districts in Lancaster, PA, this list should give you a good idea of where to be looking.

When finding a real estate agent to help you purchase your new home, make sure your agent understands your real estate goals, including what school districts you’d like to stay within! If you haven’t found that agent yet, I’d love to talk to you. Reach out by clicking here or filling out the form below.

I’m excited to work with you!