Excellent
#103 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 4% in state
Fort Cherry EL Ctr
Elementary School · Fort Cherry SD
110 Fort Cherry Road, Mc Donald, PA 15057
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mc Donald
#1 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#86 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 2
Fort Cherry SD
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Fort Cherry EL Ctr
Fort Cherry EL Ctr is a public elementary school in Mc Donald, PA, part of the Fort Cherry SD. The school serves approximately 475 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.4th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 60% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 19 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $112,871, where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Fort Cherry EL Ctr 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Fort Cherry EL Ctr — Students at Fort Cherry EL Ctr score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.3%
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
→ 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: 8.8/10.
How Fort Cherry EL Ctr Compares
See how Fort Cherry EL Ctr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 62.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 72.3% (2024).
Location
110 Fort Cherry Road, Mc Donald, PA 15057
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort Cherry EL Ctr may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wilson Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Imperial), with a very similar rating. Another option is McKee El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Oakdale), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Donaldson Elem Sch (rated 8.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Oakdale), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mc Donald, see our Mc Donald schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Cherry JSHS Mc Donald | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Cecil Intrmd Sch Mc Donald | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Donaldson Elem Sch Oakdale | 5.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Western Area CTC (of Washington County) Canonsburg | 6.6 mi | — |
| Muse El Sch Muse | 5.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Wilson Elementary School Imperial | 6.9 mi | 9.1 |
| West Allegheny MS Imperial | 7.4 mi | 8.1 |
| West Allegheny SHS Imperial | 7.5 mi | 8.1 |
| McKee El Sch Oakdale | 6.7 mi | 8.6 |
| South Fayette MS Mcdonald | 6.2 mi | 6.8 |
| South Fayette El Sch Mcdonald | 6.2 mi | 4.3 |
| South Fayette Intermediate Sch Mcdonald | 6.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Burgettstown MS/HS Burgettstown | 6.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Burgettstown El Ctr Burgettstown | 6.6 mi | 7.5 |
| South Fayette HS Mcdonald | 6.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Allison Park El Sch Houston | 8.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Canon-McMillan SHS Canonsburg | 8.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Chartiers-Houston JSHS Houston | 8.5 mi | 5.5 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houston | 8.6 mi | 6.6 |
| South Central El Canonsburg | 8.1 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15057 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$112,871
Median Home Value
$331,100
Median Rent
$1,032/mo
Population
17,162
College Educated
45.3%
Homeownership
88.3%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
3%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fort Cherry EL Ctr has a median household income of $112,871. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $331,100, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Cornell El Sch Coraopolis, PA | 8.8 |
| Crooked Billet El Sch Hatboro, PA | 8.8 |
| Devon El Sch Devon, PA | 8.8 |
| East Goshen El Sch West Chester, PA | 8.8 |
| Glendale El Sch Flinton, PA | 8.8 |
| Hackett Horatio B Sch Philadelphia, PA | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Cherry EL Ctr
What grades does Fort Cherry EL Ctr serve?
Fort Cherry EL Ctr serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Fort Cherry EL Ctr?
Fort Cherry EL Ctr has an enrollment of approximately 475 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Cherry EL Ctr?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort Cherry EL Ctr is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fort Cherry EL Ctr rank in PA?
Fort Cherry EL Ctr is ranked #103 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Fort Cherry EL Ctr's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort Cherry EL Ctr has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Fort Cherry EL Ctr?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Cherry EL Ctr has 59.6% math proficiency and 72.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fort Cherry EL Ctr a charter school?
No, Fort Cherry EL Ctr is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort Cherry EL Ctr a Title I school?
No, Fort Cherry EL Ctr is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Cherry EL Ctr?
49.3% of students at Fort Cherry EL Ctr 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 475
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (724) 796-1551
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fort Cherry SD- District Enrollment
- 947
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,865
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.