Below Average
#2635 of 2,842 schools in PA
California Area EL Sch
Elementary School · California Area SD
40 Trojan Way, Coal Center, PA 15423
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Coal Center
#4 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,514 of 1,625
In district
#3 of 3
California Area SD
About California Area EL Sch
California Area Elementary School, located in Coal Center, Pennsylvania, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 483 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child thrive. The dedicated staff includes 34 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational needs.
The academic performance at California Area Elementary School shows room for improvement, with the MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2374 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania (17th percentile). In English Language Arts and Reading, 49% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 33% meet proficiency standards. The school is focused on enhancing these areas to better serve its community.
California Area Elementary School is situated in a rural area near the town of Coal Center, offering a close-knit environment where students can build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, California Area EL Sch may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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California Area EL Sch — Students at California Area EL Sch score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.
How California Area EL Sch Compares
See how California Area EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 29% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 45.6% (2024).
Location
40 Trojan Way, Coal Center, PA 15423
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering California Area EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charleroi Area El Ctr (rated 7.6/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Charleroi), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bentworth El Ctr (rated 7.6/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Bentleyville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bethlehem-Center El Sch (rated 7.1/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Fredericktown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Coal Center, see our Coal Center schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| California Academy of Learning CS Coal Center | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| California Area SHS Coal Center | 0.2 mi | 4.8 |
| California Area MS Coal Center | 0.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Brownsville Area El Sch Brownsville | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Brownsville Area MS Brownsville | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Brownsville Area HS Brownsville | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Mon Valley Career and Technology Center Charleroi | 5.4 mi | — |
| CALVARY CHAPEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fredericktown | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Bethlehem-Center El Sch Fredericktown | 5.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Bethlehem-Center JSHS Fredericktown | 5.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Monessen SHS Monessen | 7.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Monessen MS Monessen | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
| ST SEBASTIAN REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Belle Vernon | 6.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Charleroi Area El Ctr Charleroi | 7.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Monessen El Ctr Monessen | 7.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Charleroi Area MS Charleroi | 7.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Charleroi Area HS Charleroi | 7.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Belle Vernon Area MS Belle Vernon | 6.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Marion El Sch Belle Vernon | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Bentworth El Ctr Bentleyville | 7.2 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15423 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,662
Median Home Value
$171,700
Median Rent
$983/mo
Population
1,942
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
16.2%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding California Area EL Sch has a median household income of $70,662. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,700, with a median rent of $983/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arthur Street El Sch Hazleton, PA | 4.1 |
| Ferndale El Sch Johnstown, PA | 4.1 |
| Mosser El Sch Allentown, PA | 4.1 |
| Russell Byers CS Philadelphia, PA | 4.1 |
| Avonworth El Sch Pittsburgh, PA | 4.0 |
| Edgewood El STEAM Academy Pittsburgh, PA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about California Area EL Sch
What grades does California Area EL Sch serve?
California Area EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend California Area EL Sch?
California Area EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at California Area EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at California Area EL Sch is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does California Area EL Sch rank in PA?
California Area EL Sch is ranked #2635 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is California Area EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
California Area EL Sch has a composite rating of 4.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at California Area EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, California Area EL Sch has 32.6% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is California Area EL Sch a charter school?
No, California Area EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is California Area EL Sch a Title I school?
No, California Area EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for California Area EL Sch?
99.4% of students at California Area EL Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (0/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 483
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (724) 785-5800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
California Area SD- District Enrollment
- 933
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,211
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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