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Below Average

#2334 of 2,842 schools in PA

Downey Sch

Elementary School · Harrisburg City SD

1313 Monroe St, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Enrollment

406

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisburg

#28 of 40

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,357 of 1,625

In district

#6 of 12

Harrisburg City SD

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Downey Sch

Downey Sch is an elementary school located in the heart of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, Downey Sch has a total enrollment of 406 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. While academic performance metrics show that there is room for growth, the school is committed to supporting each child's development.

Downey Sch’s MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and its state ranking of #2712 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania indicate areas where improvement can be made. In terms of standardized testing, only 8% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 4% show proficiency in Math. Despite these challenges, the school community remains focused on nurturing its young learners and providing them with a strong foundation for future academic success.

Downey Sch is situated in a small city environment, making it an integral part of the local neighborhood and accessible to families nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency1.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency6.4%
Math vs. State Avg-49.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-49.4 pts
Overall Proficiency4%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-28.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,149

Downey Sch — Students at Downey Sch score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 3.7%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 7.7%
School
State
53.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2024
Math
2%
ELA
6.7%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Downey Sch Compares

See how Downey Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in PA
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

1313 Monroe St, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Downey Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Premier Arts and Science CS (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Benjamin Franklin Sch Harrisburg 0.5 mi 4.7
Cougar Academy Harrisburg 0.6 mi 5.8
Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg 0.6 mi 7.5
JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 0.8 mi
Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg 0.9 mi 7.3
NEW CITY SCHOOL DBA LOGOS HARRISBURG Harrisburg 0.8 mi 6.7
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 0.9 mi 6.6
Pennsylvania STEAM Academy CS Harrisburg 0.8 mi 5.3
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.9 mi 7.5
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg 1.0 mi 6.7
THE NATIVITY SCHOOL OF HARRISBURG Harrisburg 0.9 mi 6.6
ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.1 mi 7.6
Commonwealth Charter Academy CS Harrisburg 1.3 mi 4.0
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.1 mi
Rowland Academy Harrisburg 1.3 mi 3.8
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 1.4 mi 6.4
Scott Sch Harrisburg 1.4 mi 3.0
HILDEBRANDT LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.6 mi
Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg 1.7 mi 5.4
Melrose Sch Harrisburg 1.5 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,383

Median Home Value

$113,100

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

12,774

College Educated

18.4%

Homeownership

40.7%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

31.4%

Median Age

27.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Downey Sch has a median household income of $41,383. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,100, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Hanover Green El Sch Hanover Township, PA 4.9
KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia, PA 4.9
Lampeter El Sch Lampeter, PA 4.9
Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg, PA 4.9
Middle Smithfield El Sch East Stroudsburg, PA 4.9
Philadelphia Hebrew Public CS Philadelphia, PA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Downey Sch

What grades does Downey Sch serve?

Downey Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Downey Sch?

Downey Sch has an enrollment of approximately 406 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Downey Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Downey Sch is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Downey Sch rank in PA?

Downey Sch is ranked #2334 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Downey Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Downey Sch has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Downey Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downey Sch has 3.7% math proficiency and 7.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Downey Sch a charter school?

No, Downey Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Downey Sch a Title I school?

No, Downey Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downey Sch?

100.5% of students at Downey 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

City Safety
High (2,761/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harrisburg City SD
District Enrollment
6,395
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,239
District Rank
#6 of 12

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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