Education

Quality education, from preschool through graduate school, is one of the region’s top priorities. High school graduation rates are significantly higher than state and national averages and dropout rates are minuscule, less than 2 percent in most local districts.

Close to 80 percent of our public high school graduates further their education, many at one of the local colleges, universities and technical schools located throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Twelve public school districts serve Lackawanna County. Millions of dollars have been invested in new schools and in new technology. Class sizes are small – our average student/teacher ratio is just 16 to 1 – and average graduating class size is more than 200. Advanced placement, gifted programs and special education services are offered by most local school districts. The Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County offers outstanding programs for students in the trades, technical and allied health areas.

The Diocese of Scranton operates a multi-county parochial school system including Holy Cross High School and Scranton Preparatory School. Scranton Prep, a private high school operating in the Jesuit tradition has received national accolades for the academic achievements of its students. Close to 95 percent of the graduates from our private schools enroll in college.

Area institutions of higher learning provide a multitude of degree and non-degree programs for both traditional and adult students. The Greater Scranton area has many outstanding colleges, universities and business schools. Sixteen post-secondary institutions, enrolling more than 45,000 students are located within a 50-mile radius of downtown Scranton.