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Excellent

#28 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 1% in state

Joe Walker EL Sch

Elementary School · McGuffey SD

2510 Park Ave, Washington, PA 15301

Enrollment

204

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washington

#1 of 10

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#23 of 1,625

In district

#1 of 4

McGuffey SD

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Joe Walker EL Sch

Joe Walker Elementary School serves 204 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Washington, Pennsylvania. At a student-teacher ratio of 12.0 to one, students get consistent individual attention — a structural advantage that shows up in the results. The numbers are hard to argue with.

Joe Walker ranks 28th out of 2,842 public schools in Pennsylvania, placing it in the top 1% statewide. Locally, it holds the top spot among all 10 public schools in Washington. That pairing — city-wide dominance and near-elite statewide standing — is uncommon at the elementary level.

The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, rated Exceptional. Academic performance comes in at 8.9, but the growth score is what stands out: 9.8 out of 10. Growth measures how much students advance year over year relative to their peers, and a 9.8 signals that students aren't just arriving prepared — they're accelerating faster than nearly every school in the state.

For families comparing elementary options in Washington County, Joe Walker's record across both achievement and growth makes it a clear benchmark against which other schools are measured.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Joe Walker EL Sch 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 Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.4%
Math vs. State Avg+11.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,382

Joe Walker EL Sch — Students at Joe Walker EL Sch score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.5%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 71.1%
School
State
53.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
62.5%
ELA
74.4%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Joe Walker EL Sch Compares

See how Joe Walker EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in PA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

2510 Park Ave, Washington, PA 15301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joe Walker EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Trinity East El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 6.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Trinity West El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Trinity South El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 4.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Trinity MS Washington 2.4 mi 6.5
Trinity West El Sch Washington 2.8 mi 8.5
Trinity SHS Washington 3.7 mi 6.5
Washington HS Washington 4.1 mi 5.0
Washington Junior High School Washington 4.1 mi 7.0
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Washington 4.2 mi 6.2
GWENS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington 4.4 mi
TEC EDUCATION CENTER Washington 4.7 mi
McGuffey HS Claysville 4.2 mi 6.4
McGuffey MS Claysville 4.2 mi 7.4
Washington Park El Sch Washington 4.7 mi 5.4
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Washington 4.9 mi 5.9
Trinity North El Sch Washington 5.6 mi 6.5
FIRST LOVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Washington 5.4 mi
Trinity South El Sch Washington 4.4 mi 8.4
TRANSFORMATION LEARNING Claysville 4.9 mi 6.4
Trinity East El Sch Washington 6.3 mi 8.6
Claysville El Sch Claysville 6.7 mi 7.1
Allison Park El Sch Houston 8.4 mi 7.2
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houston 8.5 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,275

Median Home Value

$205,800

Median Rent

$927/mo

Population

50,180

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

66.8%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

45.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joe Walker EL Sch has a median household income of $69,275. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,800, with a median rent of $927/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Choconut Valley El Sch Friendsville, PA 9.3
Fallsington El Sch Fallsington, PA 9.3
Linntown El Sch Lewisburg, PA 9.3
West Newton El Sch West Newton, PA 9.3
Luther W Low El Sch West Middlesex, PA 9.4
Renovo El Sch Renovo, PA 9.4

Compare Joe Walker EL Sch with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joe Walker EL Sch

What grades does Joe Walker EL Sch serve?

Joe Walker EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Joe Walker EL Sch?

Joe Walker EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 204 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joe Walker EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Joe Walker EL Sch is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joe Walker EL Sch rank in PA?

Joe Walker EL Sch is ranked #28 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Joe Walker EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Joe Walker EL Sch has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Joe Walker EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joe Walker EL Sch has 56.5% math proficiency and 71.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Joe Walker EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Joe Walker EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Joe Walker EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joe Walker EL Sch?

51.5% of students at Joe Walker 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (0/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Joe Walker EL Sch stack up?

Trinity East El Sch
8.6

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McGuffey SD
District Enrollment
1,542
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,207
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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