There are twelve public school districts in Luzerne County.  Hazleton Area and Wilkes-Barre Area are the largest districts. Northwest Area, with 1,400 students, is the smallest. The Diocese of Scranton operates four regional parochial school systems. Luzerne Intermediate Unit #18, located in , provides support to local school districts. In addition to the extensive public school system, Luzerne County is blessed with a large number of independent, private, and parochial schools. They include a large number of schools, including four high  schools, supported by the Diocese of Scranton; several non-profit and fully accredited elementary and middle schools, including Wyoming Seminary Lower School and Wilkes-Barre Academy; and two well-respected college preparatory schools that attract students from around the world (Wyoming Seminary in Kingston and Forty Fort, and MMI Preparatory School in Freeland.