Average
#1503 of 2,842 schools in PA
Central EL Sch
Elementary School · Allentown City SD
829 W Turner St, Allentown, PA 18102
Enrollment
697
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
697
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Allentown
#9 of 34
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#948 of 1,625
In district
#3 of 21
Allentown City SD
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Central EL Sch
Central El Sch is an elementary school in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with a focus on early education through grade five. The school serves 697 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from the 43 full-time teachers. Central El Sch is located in the heart of Allentown's mid-size city setting, providing easy access to various community resources.
Academically, Central El Sch ranks 2370 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it in the 17th percentile. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.6/10, indicating areas where improvement can be made. In terms of proficiency levels, only 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 17% achieve similar results in math.
These scores suggest that Central El Sch has room for academic growth and development. Central El Sch is situated in a vibrant city environment where families can engage with the surrounding community and take advantage of local amenities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Central 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Central EL Sch — Students at Central EL Sch score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Central EL Sch Compares
See how Central EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 11% (2019) to 21.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 18.3% (2024).
Location
829 W Turner St, Allentown, PA 18102
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CAI LEARNING ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST JOHN VIANNEY REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Arts Academy Elementary CS (rated 6.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Allentown, see our Allentown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GRACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Allentown | 0.2 mi | — |
| Arts Academy Elementary CS Allentown | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch Allentown | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Washington El Sch Allentown | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Building 21 Allentown Allentown | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| CAI LEARNING ACADEMY Allentown | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Roberto Clemente CS Allentown | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Luis A. Ramos El Sch Allentown | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Jackson Early Childhood Center Allentown | 0.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Sheridan El Sch Allentown | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Jefferson El Sch Allentown | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Harrison-Morton MS Allentown | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Trexler MS Allentown | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| William Allen HS Allentown | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Francis D Raub MS Allentown | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY REGIONAL SCHOOL Allentown | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER Allentown | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Union Terrace El Sch Allentown | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Roosevelt El Sch Allentown | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Executive Education Academy CS Allentown | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,681
Median Home Value
$146,600
Median Rent
$1,224/mo
Population
51,315
College Educated
11.2%
Homeownership
29.9%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
30.3%
Median Age
30.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central EL Sch has a median household income of $40,681. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,600, with a median rent of $1,224/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Asbury El Sch Fairview, PA | 6.2 |
| Barry Comm John Sch Philadelphia, PA | 6.2 |
| Barton Clara Sch Philadelphia, PA | 6.2 |
| Bridesburg Sch Philadelphia, PA | 6.2 |
| Duquesne El Sch Duquesne, PA | 6.2 |
| ELCO Intermd Sch Myerstown, PA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central EL Sch
What grades does Central EL Sch serve?
Central EL Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central EL Sch?
Central EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 697 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Central EL Sch is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central EL Sch rank in PA?
Central EL Sch is ranked #1503 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Central EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Central EL Sch has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Central EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central EL Sch has 17.3% math proficiency and 20.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central EL Sch a charter school?
No, Central EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Central EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central EL Sch?
100.0% of students at Central 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
- City Safety
- High (1,850/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Allentown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 697
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Lehigh County
- Phone
- (484) 765-4801
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Allentown City SD- District Enrollment
- 16,510
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,007
- District Rank
- #3 of 21
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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