Average
#1109 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 39% in state
East Ward EL Sch
Elementary School · Downingtown Area SD
435 Washington Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335
Enrollment
557
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
557
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Downingtown
#11 of 13
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#748 of 1,625
In district
#13 of 16
Downingtown Area SD
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About East Ward EL Sch
East Ward Elementary School serves 557 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio that supports individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #463 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania elementary schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
Students consistently achieve solid results, with 73% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 70% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics. These scores reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence across core subjects. East Ward Elementary operates as a regular public school in Chester County, drawing families from a well-educated community where 60% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and educational investment, with a median household income of $130,634 and home values averaging $443,600. Located on Washington Avenue in Downingtown's large suburban setting, East Ward Elementary serves a community of over 51,000 residents who value educational achievement and maintain strong support for their local schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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East Ward EL Sch — Students at East Ward EL Sch score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30%
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
↓ 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: 6.8/10.
How East Ward EL Sch Compares
See how East Ward EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 70% (2019) to 70.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 73.4% (2024).
Location
435 Washington Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Ward EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mary C Howse El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby West Chester), which scores notably higher. Another option is Uwchlan Hills El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Bradford El Sch (rated 8.0/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Downingtown, see our Downingtown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BISHOP SHANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL Downingtown | 0.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Chester County Tech College HS - Brandywine Campus Downingtown | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| DEVEREUX DAY SCHOOL-CARES Downingtown | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Downingtown STEM Academy Downingtown | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Downingtown HS West Campus Downingtown | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Downingtown MS Downingtown | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Bradford Hgts El Sch Downingtown | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Beaver Creek El Sch Downingtown | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Uwchlan Hills El Sch Downingtown | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Collegium CS Exton | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| CREATIVE KIDS OF DOWNINGTOWN Downingtown | 2.5 mi | — |
| Lionville El Sch Downingtown | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center Downingtown | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Downingtown HS East Campus Exton | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Shamona Creek El Sch Downingtown | 3.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Lionville MS Exton | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Mary C Howse El Sch West Chester | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Insight PA Cyber CS Exton | 3.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Caln El Sch Thorndale | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| West Bradford El Sch Downingtown | 3.7 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19335 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$136,839
Median Home Value
$464,400
Median Rent
$1,647/mo
Population
52,524
College Educated
61.6%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
3%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding East Ward EL Sch has a median household income of $136,839. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $464,400, with a median rent of $1,647/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Buck El Sch Levittown, PA | 6.8 |
| Daniel J Flood El Sch Wilkes-Barre, PA | 6.8 |
| Delaware Valley El Sch Matamoras, PA | 6.8 |
| Dingman-Delaware Primary Sch Dingmans Ferry, PA | 6.8 |
| Fell D Newlin Sch Philadelphia, PA | 6.8 |
| Hamilton Heights El Sch Chambersburg, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Ward EL Sch
What grades does East Ward EL Sch serve?
East Ward EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend East Ward EL Sch?
East Ward EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 557 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Ward EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at East Ward EL Sch is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Ward EL Sch rank in PA?
East Ward EL Sch is ranked #1109 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is East Ward EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
East Ward EL Sch has a composite rating of 6.8 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 East Ward EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Ward EL Sch has 69.0% math proficiency and 77.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is East Ward EL Sch a charter school?
No, East Ward EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Ward EL Sch a Title I school?
No, East Ward EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Ward EL Sch?
30.0% of students at East Ward 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 (2,185/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Downingtown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 557
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Chester County
- Phone
- (610) 269-8282
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Downingtown Area SD- District Enrollment
- 13,238
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,308
- District Rank
- #13 of 16
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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