Below Average
#2405 of 2,842 schools in PA
James Buchanan EL Sch
Elementary School · Bethlehem Area SD
1621 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bethlehem
#17 of 24
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,393 of 1,625
In district
#15 of 22
Bethlehem Area SD
About James Buchanan EL Sch
James Buchanan Elementary School is a regular public school located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 262 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The teaching staff consists of 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting young learners from kindergarten through fifth grade.
The academic performance at James Buchanan Elementary School is currently rated at 4.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranked as #1973 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it around the 31st percentile statewide. Test scores show that 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% meet proficiency standards in Math. While these numbers indicate areas for improvement, the school is focused on student development and continuous growth.
James Buchanan Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Lehigh County, providing a close-knit community feel to its students. The school's location at 1621 Catasauqua Road offers easy access to local amenities and resources.
Score Breakdown
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James Buchanan EL Sch — Students at James Buchanan EL Sch score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.9%
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: 4.0/10.
How James Buchanan EL Sch Compares
See how James Buchanan EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 38.9% (2024).
Location
1621 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Buchanan EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hanover El Sch (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Calypso El Sch (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, William Penn El Sch (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethlehem, see our Bethlehem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clearview El Sch Bethlehem | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX ACADEMY Bethlehem | 0.9 mi | — |
| ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX ACADEMY Bethlehem | 0.9 mi | — |
| Nitschmann MS Bethlehem | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Asa Packer El Sch Bethlehem | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Calypso El Sch Bethlehem | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Lehigh Valley Academy Regional CS Bethlehem | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| CENTENNIAL SCHOOL LEHIGH UNIV Bethlehem | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Bethlehem | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| A CHILD'S CHOICE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethlehem | 1.6 mi | — |
| William Penn El Sch Bethlehem | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Hanover El Sch Bethlehem | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Ritter El Sch Allentown | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Lincoln Leadership Academy CS Allentown | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| MORAVIAN ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Bethlehem | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Liberty HS Bethlehem | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Louis E Dieruff HS Allentown | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Broughal MS Bethlehem | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| ST ANNE SCHOOL Bethlehem | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem | 2.8 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,946
Median Home Value
$310,600
Median Rent
$1,535/mo
Population
40,463
College Educated
39.9%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
44.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Buchanan EL Sch has a median household income of $88,946. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,600, with a median rent of $1,535/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Dr Cleveland Steward Jr El Sch Monroeville, PA | 4.7 |
| Linwood El Sch Linwood, PA | 4.7 |
| McMichael Morton Sch Philadelphia, PA | 4.7 |
| Morrow El Sch Towanda, PA | 4.7 |
| Neff Sch Lancaster, PA | 4.7 |
| Richland El Sch Quakertown, PA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Buchanan EL Sch
What grades does James Buchanan EL Sch serve?
James Buchanan EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James Buchanan EL Sch?
James Buchanan EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Buchanan EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at James Buchanan EL Sch is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Buchanan EL Sch rank in PA?
James Buchanan EL Sch is ranked #2405 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is James Buchanan EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
James Buchanan EL Sch has a composite rating of 4.7 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 James Buchanan EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Buchanan EL Sch has 36.0% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Buchanan EL Sch a charter school?
No, James Buchanan EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Buchanan EL Sch a Title I school?
No, James Buchanan EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Buchanan EL Sch?
64.9% of students at James Buchanan 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 (1,583/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bethlehem). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 262
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lehigh County
- Phone
- (610) 865-1766
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethlehem Area SD- District Enrollment
- 12,864
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,564
- District Rank
- #15 of 22
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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