When you have a family and are looking to purchase a home, one of the most important factors is what school district you’ll be located in and the quality of nearby schools. Moving to a new neighborhood can be daunting and with an abundance of information out there it’s difficult to know how to make the best choice for your family. To help ease those worries, we’ve got a guide to the best schools in the best neighborhoods to consider as you search for a home in the Lehigh Valley.
Allentown
Pennsylvania’s third most populous city and currently the fastest growing city in the state, Allentown is a thriving modern community rich in history. With grand historic homes, row homes and apartments, Allentown real estate offers variety to families with different budgets as well as access to parks, shopping, dining and entertainment amenities in the city’s quaint downtown area. Allentown also offers some of the Lehigh Valley’s best elementary, middle and high schools, making it a top choice for many families looking to buy in its many neighborhoods.
Located in the desirable Parkland School District, Parkway Manor Elementary School consistently ranks as one of the area’s best. Parents and students alike rave about the dedicated and skilled teachers as well as the positive school-wide attitude. Students’ math, reading and English Language Arts test scores rank above the district and state average, receiving an 8/10 rating from GreatSchools.
Also in the Parkland School District, Springhouse Middle School is a great choice for families with children in grades 6-8. Students boast above average year-over-year academic improvement and test scores are far above the state average, earning Springhouse a 9/10 rating from GreatSchools.
Easton
One of the smaller cities in the Lehigh Valley, Easton is a charming community known for its buildings dating back to the United States’ foundation, historic canal boats and tree-lined streets. Properties range from large three-floor homes with landscaped lots perfect for kids to run around in to new developments located on old farmland in Forks Township.
Wilson Area High School, located between the West Easton and Lincoln Terrace neighborhoods, provides families with children in grades 9-12 with a community bound by strong school spirit, ample extracurricular activities and strong academic performance. A small student to faculty ratio encourages individual attention and promotes college-readiness while the varsity sports program allows for bonding among peers.
With families for younger children, Wilson Borough Elementary School serves grades Kindergarten through fourth in the heart of the Wilson Borough in Easton. Students continue to test far above the state average and the student to teacher ratio is lowest among all elementary schools in the area, allowing students to excel early in their education.
Bethlehem
Covering the city of Bethlehem and a number of surrounding communities, the Bethlehem Area School District houses great schools for families with children of all ages. The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts is an audition-based, tuition-free public charter school catering to those interested in the arts and offering more than 200 courses including at the College Prepatory, Honors, Advanced Placement and comprehensive arts levels. Located in downtown Bethlehem, this high school is easily accessible to residents of the city as well as its surrounding suburbs.
A National Blue Ribbon School, Hanover Elementary is a learning environment where the entire community works together to ensure a safe and caring space. A small neighborhood school, Hanover Elementary is located in the Hanover township of Bethlehem and offers individualized attention to all of its students. Speak with a trusted Bethlehem real estate agent for more information about the school district.