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Very Good

#586 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 21% in state

Carter and Macrae EL Sch

Elementary School · Lancaster SD

251 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603

Enrollment

446

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lancaster

#8 of 37

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#449 of 1,625

In district

#4 of 19

Lancaster SD

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Carter and Macrae EL Sch

Carter and MacRae Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 446 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.9:1. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, Carter and MacRae El Sch provides a supportive learning environment that focuses on individual attention.

Academically, the school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks 47th percentile among Pennsylvania schools at number 1509 out of 2852. Test scores show that 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 21% achieve proficiency or better in Math. The school is working to improve these figures and support student development.

Carter and MacRae Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Lancaster County, offering a community feel with easy access to local resources and activities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Carter and Macrae EL Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.2%
Math vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,407

Carter and Macrae EL Sch — Students at Carter and Macrae EL Sch score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 21.2%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 26.3%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
24.5%
ELA
28.4%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Carter and Macrae EL Sch Compares

See how Carter and Macrae EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
79th percentile in PA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

251 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carter and Macrae EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fulton El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hamilton El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WONDER ACADEMY Lancaster 0.1 mi
King El Sch Lancaster 0.4 mi 5.5
Fulton El Sch Lancaster 0.4 mi 8.4
Price El Sch Lancaster 0.5 mi 7.6
Phoenix Academy Lancaster 0.5 mi 6.0
WAY OF JESUS ACADEMY Lancaster 0.8 mi 7.9
La Academia Partnership CS Lancaster 0.7 mi 5.4
Lafayette El Sch Lancaster 0.8 mi 6.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Lancaster 0.8 mi 7.2
Jackson MS Lancaster 0.7 mi 6.8
RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lancaster 0.8 mi 8.6
Washington El Sch Lancaster 0.8 mi 7.5
Reynolds MS Lancaster 0.9 mi 7.5
Hamilton El Sch Lancaster 1.1 mi 8.3
Wharton El Sch Lancaster 1.1 mi 8.3
Ross El Sch Lancaster 1.2 mi 7.3
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI Lancaster 1.0 mi 7.4
Smith-Wade-El El Sch Lancaster 1.1 mi 6.6
Wickersham El Sch Lancaster 1.2 mi 6.4
Wheatland MS Lancaster 1.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,156

Median Home Value

$244,500

Median Rent

$1,265/mo

Population

66,788

College Educated

36.7%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carter and Macrae EL Sch has a median household income of $77,156. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,500, with a median rent of $1,265/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Apollo-Ridge El Sch Spring Church, PA 7.7
Artman El Sch Hermitage, PA 7.7
Bellaire El Sch Carlisle, PA 7.7
Brownstown El Sch Brownstown, PA 7.7
East Juniata El Sch Richfield, PA 7.7
Economy El Sch Freedom, PA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carter and Macrae EL Sch

What grades does Carter and Macrae EL Sch serve?

Carter and Macrae EL Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Carter and Macrae EL Sch?

Carter and Macrae EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carter and Macrae EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Carter and Macrae EL Sch is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carter and Macrae EL Sch rank in PA?

Carter and Macrae EL Sch is ranked #586 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Carter and Macrae EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Carter and Macrae EL Sch has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Carter and Macrae EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter and Macrae EL Sch has 21.2% math proficiency and 26.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carter and Macrae EL Sch a charter school?

No, Carter and Macrae EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carter and Macrae EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Carter and Macrae EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carter and Macrae EL Sch?

92.2% of students at Carter and Macrae 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
94 Walker's Paradise
Bike Score
59 Bikeable
County Safety
Low (0/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lancaster County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lancaster SD
District Enrollment
10,015
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,604
District Rank
#4 of 19

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 methodology

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