For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 4,619 students in Wayne County, PA (there are 5 private schools, serving 391 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Wayne County, PA are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, PA are Jefferson Elementary School, Damascus Area School and Honesdale High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wayne County, PA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 66% (versus the 55% statewide average). Schools in Wayne County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Pennsylvania public schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Wayne County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
825 Lions Rd
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(570) 689-2656
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(570) 689-2656
Gr: K-3 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Damascus Area School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
174 High School Rd
Damascus, PA 18415
(570) 224-4114
Damascus, PA 18415
(570) 224-4114
Gr: PK-8 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Honesdale High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
459 Terrace St
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-2046
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-2046
Gr: 9-12 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Wayne Highlands Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
482 Grove St
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-5900
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-5900
Gr: 6-8 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Evergreen Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
739 Easton Turnpike
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(800) 321-9973
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(800) 321-9973
Gr: PK-5 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
Lakeside Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
129 Lakeside Dr
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-6820
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-6820
Gr: 3-5 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Robert D Wilson El School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
74 Belmont St
Waymart, PA 18472
(800) 321-9973
Waymart, PA 18472
(800) 321-9973
Gr: PK-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
Western Wayne High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1970a Easton Turnpike
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(800) 321-9973
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(800) 321-9973
Gr: 9-12 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #99.
Preston School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1493 Crosstown Highway
Lakewood, PA 18439
(570) 798-2516
Lakewood, PA 18439
(570) 798-2516
Gr: K-8 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1010.
Wallenpaupack South Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
989 Main St
Newfoundland, PA 18445
(570) 676-3335
Newfoundland, PA 18445
(570) 676-3335
Gr: K-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Western Wayne Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1970b Easton Turnpike
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(800) 321-9973
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(800) 321-9973
Gr: 6-8 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
123 Abc Drive
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-3010
Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 253-3010
Gr: PK-2 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Wayne County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
543 Easton Turnpike
Hamlin, PA 18427
(570) 689-2632
Hamlin, PA 18427
(570) 689-2632
Gr: K-2 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
111 Gravity Rd
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(570) 698-5119
Lake Ariel, PA 18436
(570) 698-5119
Gr: 3-5 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, PA?
The top-ranked public schools in Wayne County, PA include Jefferson Elementary School, Damascus Area School and Honesdale High School.
How many public schools are located in Wayne County?
12 public schools are located in Wayne County.
What percentage of students in Wayne County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Wayne County are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wayne County?
Wayne County public schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public schools average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Wayne County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wayne County include: Western Wayne High School vs. Honesdale High School, Honesdale High School vs. Western Wayne High School, Damascus Area School vs. Preston School
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