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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.3%
Math vs. State Avg+11 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.5 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,435

Fort Cherry EL Ctr — Students at Fort Cherry EL Ctr score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.6%
School
State
44.3%
ELA Proficiency 72.2%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 14 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
58%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
63%
2024
Math
63.7%
ELA
72.7%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Fort Cherry EL Ctr Compares

See how Fort Cherry EL Ctr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
96th percentile in PA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
6 Somewhat 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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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