Lehigh County Schools & Education

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

School Score

64/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

88.3%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

88.3%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 90.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$10,005

National avg $13,239

State avg $10,336

School Score

64/100

Higher = better

State avg 72/100

State School Rank

#51

of 67 counties (1 = best)

Education Overview

About Schools in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

A Dynamic Hub for Diverse Learning Options

Lehigh County manages a massive education system with 80 schools and 54,048 students across 19 districts. The county is a leader in school choice, featuring 8 charter schools that make up 10% of the total school landscape. The infrastructure includes 48 elementary, 17 middle, and 12 high schools to serve a growing population.

Solid Performance in a High-Volume System

Lehigh maintains an 88.3% graduation rate, staying ahead of the national 87% benchmark. The county spends $10,005 per pupil, which is nearly in line with the Pennsylvania state average. A composite school score of 59.1 demonstrates consistent quality across its urban and suburban districts.

Allentown and Parkland Manage Major Enrollment

Allentown City School District is the largest in the county, educating 15,928 students in 21 schools. Parkland School District follows with 9,821 students and is home to Parkland High School, the county's largest school with 3,220 students. Bethlehem Area SD also plays a major role, serving 12,939 students across its 22 schools.

Bustling Suburbs and Large City Campuses

Lehigh schools are primarily suburban (44) and city-based (29), with only 7 rural schools in the county. With an average school size of 676, many students attend large, resource-rich campuses like William Allen or Emmaus High. This environment provides students with a wide array of specialized programs and competitive athletics.

Choose Your Perfect Educational Path

Lehigh County offers everything from massive suburban high schools to specialized city charters. The variety of districts and school types makes it one of the most flexible counties in Pennsylvania for families. Look for homes in the Parkland or East Penn districts to take advantage of these top-rated educational hubs.

School Overview

Total Schools

80

in Lehigh County

Total Enrollment

54,048

students

School Districts

19

districts

Charter Schools

8

10% of total

School Type Breakdown

Elementary48
Middle17
High12
Other3

19 School Districts in Lehigh County

Allentown City SD

21 schools
15,928 students

Bethlehem Area SD

22 schools
12,939 students

Parkland SD

12 schools
9,821 students

East Penn SD

10 schools
7,957 students

Whitehall-Coplay SD

5 schools
4,107 students

Southern Lehigh SD

5 schools
3,077 students

Northwestern Lehigh SD

4 schools
1,971 students

Northern Lehigh SD

4 schools
1,564 students

Salisbury Township SD

3 schools
1,487 students

Catasauqua Area SD

3 schools
1,455 students

80 Public Schools in Lehigh County

Parkland HS

Parkland SD

9–12High3,220 students
William Allen HS

Allentown City SD

9–12High2,852 students
Emmaus HS

East Penn SD

9–12High2,846 students
Louis E Dieruff HS

Allentown City SD

9–12High1,915 students
Whitehall HS

Whitehall-Coplay SD

9–12High1,459 students
Executive Education Academy CS

Executive Education Academy CS

KG–12Charter1,368 students
Springhouse MS

Parkland SD

6–8Middle1,344 students
Southern Lehigh SHS

Southern Lehigh SD

9–12High1,056 students
Lower Macungie MS

East Penn SD

6–8Middle1,043 students
South Mountain MS

Allentown City SD

6–8Middle1,007 students
Whitehall-Coplay MS

Whitehall-Coplay SD

6–8Middle982 students
Orefield MS

Parkland SD

6–8Middle917 students
Francis D Raub MS

Allentown City SD

6–8Middle909 students
Lincoln Leadership Academy CS

Lincoln Leadership Academy CS

KG–12Charter899 students
Eyer MS

East Penn SD

6–8Middle847 students
Trexler MS

Allentown City SD

6–8Middle820 students
Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch

Allentown City SD

KG–5Primary813 students
Nitschmann MS

Bethlehem Area SD

6–8Middle781 students
Harrison-Morton MS

Allentown City SD

6–8Middle733 students
Northwestern Lehigh HS

Northwestern Lehigh SD

9–12High695 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$10,005

State avg $10,336

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Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania?

Lehigh County manages a massive education system with 80 schools and 54,048 students across 19 districts. The county is a leader in school choice, featuring 8 charter schools that make up 10% of the total school landscape. The infrastructure includes 48 elementary, 17 middle, and 12 high schools to serve a growing population.

How do schools in Lehigh County perform academically?

Lehigh maintains an 88.3% graduation rate, staying ahead of the national 87% benchmark. The county spends $10,005 per pupil, which is nearly in line with the Pennsylvania state average. A composite school score of 59.1 demonstrates consistent quality across its urban and suburban districts.

What are the major school districts in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania?

Allentown City School District is the largest in the county, educating 15,928 students in 21 schools. Parkland School District follows with 9,821 students and is home to Parkland High School, the county's largest school with 3,220 students. Bethlehem Area SD also plays a major role, serving 12,939 students across its 22 schools.

What is the school experience like in Lehigh County?

Lehigh schools are primarily suburban (44) and city-based (29), with only 7 rural schools in the county. With an average school size of 676, many students attend large, resource-rich campuses like William Allen or Emmaus High. This environment provides students with a wide array of specialized programs and competitive athletics.

How can I find homes near good schools in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania?

Lehigh County offers everything from massive suburban high schools to specialized city charters. The variety of districts and school types makes it one of the most flexible counties in Pennsylvania for families. Look for homes in the Parkland or East Penn districts to take advantage of these top-rated educational hubs.

Counties with Similar School Profile

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.