Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Summary:

Dr David W Kistler Elementary School is a public elementary school in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, serving 916 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, which is ranked 457 out of 610 school districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Dr David W Kistler Elementary School consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Pennsylvania elementary schools, with academic performance significantly below the state average across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 29.4% of students were proficient or better in PSSA/Math, compared to the state average of 40.4%. The school also has a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in recent years.

While the school's overall academic performance is low, its African American and Hispanic students perform relatively better compared to their peers in Pennsylvania. However, the school's White students and students with disabilities perform significantly worse, ranking in the bottom quarter of Pennsylvania elementary schools. Nearby schools within the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, such as Daniel J Flood Elementary School and Heights/Murray Elementary School, also perform poorly, while some nearby schools in the Wyoming Valley West School District, such as Dana Elementary Center, perform better academically.


Detail:

Public K-5

 301 Old River Rd
       Wilkes Barre, PA  18702-1507


(570) 826-7230

District: Wilkes-Barre Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1127th of 1,526 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,981 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  17.5 Help
Number of students:  970

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
59.2%
African American:
16.0%
White:
13.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Dr David W Kistler Elementary School ranks worse than 73.9% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks 2nd among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.92. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Dr David W Kistler Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Student population at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (59.2%), African American (16%), White (13.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School is 17.5. 3 elementary schools in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Dr David W Kistler Elementary School employs 55.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School is $14,981, which is the 3rd highest among 5 elementary schools in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Dr David W Kistler Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Dr David W Kistler Elementary School 1127th of 1526 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See Dr David W Kistler Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Wilkes-Barre Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Wilkes-Barre Area School District 457th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 64.97 526th 1302 59.6%
2004 76.32 319th 1308 75.6%
2005 51.59 778th 1299 40.1%
2006 51.17 937th 1545 39.4%
2007 43.61 1074th 1555 30.9%
2008 45.41 1065th 1551 31.3%
2009 39.76 1157th 1549 25.3%
2010 29.28 1307th 1579 17.2%
2011 19.86 1402nd 1597 12.2%
2012 22.45 1350th 1599 15.6%
2013 14.33 1318th 1519 13.2%
2014 16.45 1258th 1467 14.2%
2015 22.11 1173rd 1474 20.4%
2016 27.45 1198th 1554 22.9%
2017 21.31 1243rd 1547 19.7%
2018 24.32 1207th 1530 21.1%
2019 24.57 1208th 1544 21.8%
2021 18.80 1158th 1433 19.2%
2022 14.26 1282nd 1534 16.4%
2023 16.44 1259th 1534 17.9%
2024 27.92 1127th 1526 26.1%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 22.25 177th 196 9.7%
2024 22.83 173rd 200 13.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 21.15 1141st 1414 19.3%
2024 38.54 961st 1432 32.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 28.94 1092nd 1488 26.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 13.20 991st 1043 5.0%
2024 21.15 893rd 1084 17.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 26.55 1127th 1495 24.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 46.52 196th 437 55.1%
2024 72.26 73rd 437 83.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 38.64 274th 432 36.6%
2024 49.30 219th 454 51.8%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 15.80 1123rd 1236 9.1%
2024 37.48 845th 1229 31.2%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Dept of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Dr David W Kistler Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
0%

0%

50%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 955 33 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 997
1989 994 45 10 1 1 n/a n/a 0 1051
1990 956 45 8 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1013
1991 909 61 2 5 2 n/a n/a 0 979
1992 923 54 10 7 3 n/a n/a 0 997
1993 895 53 15 4 0 n/a n/a 0 967
1994 906 61 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 983
1995 881 74 8 7 0 n/a n/a 0 970
1996 881 74 8 7 0 n/a n/a 0 970
1997 831 96 6 11 2 n/a n/a 0 946
1998 788 97 10 13 0 n/a n/a 0 908
1999 766 111 9 10 0 n/a n/a 0 896
2000 764 118 10 10 1 n/a n/a 0 903
2001 709 128 13 16 0 n/a n/a 0 866
2002 649 153 10 37 0 n/a n/a 0 849
2003 649 153 10 37 0 n/a n/a 0 849
2004 629 164 11 74 0 n/a n/a 0 878
2005 629 203 11 95 0 n/a n/a 0 938
2006 564 213 13 113 0 n/a n/a 0 903
2007 515 228 10 159 0 n/a n/a 0 912
2008 532 195 7 158 0 n/a n/a 0 892
2009 523 183 11 165 0 n/a n/a 24 906
2010 475 206 13 189 0 n/a n/a 48 931
2011 519 224 15 204 2 0 3 0 967
2012 481 196 14 230 1 0 27 0 949
2013 428 201 13 239 1 0 47 0 929
2014 393 213 16 262 1 0 65 0 950
2015 331 191 20 262 0 0 111 0 915
2016 337 218 11 283 0 0 104 0 953
2017 270 225 10 338 0 0 95 0 938
2018 273 220 19 359 0 0 92 0 963
2019 230 247 19 416 3 0 87 0 1002
2020 196 245 15 427 2 0 102 0 987
2021 178 191 14 422 3 0 83 0 891
2022 142 180 11 426 4 0 81 0 844
2023 144 158 10 509 6 0 89 0 916
2024 130 155 11 574 6 0 94 0 970

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 997 46.5 21.4 n/a
1989 1051 51.0 20.6 n/a
1990 1013 49.0 20.6 0
1991 979 48.9 20.0 n/a
1992 997 50.5 19.7 n/a
1993 967 42.0 23.0 n/a
1994 983 42.0 23.4 n/a
1995 970 49.0 19.8 n/a
1996 970 49.0 19.8 n/a
1997 946 51.0 18.5 n/a
1998 908 48.0 18.9 n/a
1999 896 50.0 17.9 n/a
2000 903 51.0 17.7 42.3
2001 866 49.0 17.7 39.7
2002 849 50.1 16.9 45.6
2003 849 50.1 16.9 45.6
2004 878 52.1 16.9 40
2005 938 53.7 17.5 41.3
2006 903 53.9 16.8 57.9
2007 912 54.7 16.7 67
2008 892 112.3 7.9 57.3
2009 906 59.7 15.2 67.5
2010 931 60.2 15.4 74.7
2011 967 60.7 15.9 73.1
2012 949 57.7 16.4 75
2013 929 58.1 15.9 76.9
2014 950 59.7 15.8 79.8
2015 915 60.0 15.2 99.7
2016 953 59.0 16.1 100
2017 938 59.4 15.7 99.9
2018 963 60.6 15.8 100
2019 1002 60.4 16.5 100
2020 987 59.0 16.7 100
2021 891 59.0 15.0 99.7
2022 844 50.7 16.6 99.6
2023 916 49.1 18.6 100
2024 970 55.1 17.5 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 997 46.5 21.4 n/a
1989 1051 51.0 20.6 n/a
1990 1013 49.0 20.6 0
1991 979 48.9 20.0 n/a
1992 997 50.5 19.7 n/a
1993 967 42.0 23.0 n/a
1994 983 42.0 23.4 n/a
1995 970 49.0 19.8 n/a
1996 970 49.0 19.8 n/a
1997 946 51.0 18.5 n/a
1998 908 48.0 18.9 n/a
1999 896 50.0 17.9 n/a
2000 903 51.0 17.7 42.3
2001 866 49.0 17.7 39.7
2002 849 50.1 16.9 45.6
2003 849 50.1 16.9 45.6
2004 878 52.1 16.9 40
2005 938 53.7 17.5 41.3
2006 903 53.9 16.8 57.9
2007 912 54.7 16.7 67
2008 892 112.3 7.9 57.3
2009 906 59.7 15.2 67.5
2010 931 60.2 15.4 74.7
2011 967 60.7 15.9 73.1
2012 949 57.7 16.4 75
2013 929 58.1 15.9 76.9
2014 950 59.7 15.8 79.8
2015 915 60.0 15.2 99.7
2016 953 59.0 16.1 100
2017 938 59.4 15.7 99.9
2018 963 60.6 15.8 100
2019 1002 60.4 16.5 100
2020 987 59.0 16.7 100
2021 891 59.0 15.0 99.7
2022 844 50.7 16.6 99.6
2023 916 49.1 18.6 100
2024 970 55.1 17.5 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,192 (10.0%) $10,676 (90.0%) $11,867
2020 $891 (6.9%) $11,998 (93.1%) $12,889
2021 $1,465 (11.0%) $11,872 (89.0%) $13,337
2022 $4,829 (32.2%) $10,152 (67.8%) $14,981

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1208th of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 1259th of 1534 Elementary schools
 3.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)36.732.5
 4.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)38.640.3
 1.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)22.315.7
 6.6%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)68.557.2
 11.3%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)44.621.1
 23.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)26.611.5
 15.1%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)50.530.3
 20.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)27.619.3
 8.3%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)68.557.2
 11.3%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Dr David W Kistler Elementary School)44.829.6
 15.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students1002916
 8.6%
African American247158
 36%
American Indian36
 100%
Asian1910
 47.4%
Hispanic416509
 22.4%
Pacific Islander00
White230144
 37.4%
Two or More Races8789
 2.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


Schools Near Dr David W Kistler Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

In the 2023-24 school year, 970 students attended Dr David W Kistler Elementary School.

Dr David W Kistler Elementary School ranks 1127th of 1526 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students at Dr David W Kistler Elementary School are 59% Hispanic, 16% African American, 13% White, 10% Two or more races, 1% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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