Excellent
#215 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 8% in state
Laurel EL Sch
Elementary School · Laurel SD
223 McCaslin Rd, New Castle, PA 16101
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Castle
#2 of 18
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#177 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 3
Laurel SD
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Laurel EL Sch
Laurel EL Sch is a public elementary school in New Castle, PA, part of the Laurel SD. The school serves approximately 499 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.5th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 23 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 18 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,481, where 18% 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, Laurel 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Laurel EL Sch — Students at Laurel EL Sch score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Laurel EL Sch Compares
See how Laurel EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 72.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 73.6% (2024).
Location
223 McCaslin Rd, New Castle, PA 16101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Laurel EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shenango El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 4.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Union Memorial El Sch (rated 7.1/10, 6.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Washington Intrmd Sch (rated 6.8/10, 4.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel HS New Castle | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Laurel MS New Castle | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle | 2.9 mi | — |
| Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Shenango HS New Castle | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Shenango El Sch New Castle | 4.5 mi | 8.6 |
| NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| New Castle JHS New Castle | 4.4 mi | 3.7 |
| New Castle SHS New Castle | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle | 4.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| CRAY CHALLENGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (AEDY) New Castle | 5.0 mi | — |
| CRAY EDUCATION CENTER New Castle | 5.0 mi | 6.2 |
| FAYETTE SCHOOL Volant | 6.2 mi | — |
| Neshannock JSHS New Castle | 5.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle | 5.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Union Memorial El Sch New Castle | 6.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Union Area HS New Castle | 6.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Union Area MS New Castle | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilmington Area MS New Wilmington | 8.4 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,481
Median Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$706/mo
Population
30,960
College Educated
18.1%
Homeownership
68.9%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
17%
Median Age
43.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Laurel EL Sch has a median household income of $50,481. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $706/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Adaire Alexander Sch Philadelphia, PA | 8.5 |
| Baker El Sch Pittsburgh, PA | 8.5 |
| Brockway Area Elementary Sch Brockway, PA | 8.5 |
| Case Avenue El Sch Sharon, PA | 8.5 |
| Center Township El Sch Butler, PA | 8.5 |
| Clarion-Limestone El Sch Strattanville, PA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Laurel EL Sch
What grades does Laurel EL Sch serve?
Laurel EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Laurel EL Sch?
Laurel EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Laurel EL Sch is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Laurel EL Sch rank in PA?
Laurel EL Sch is ranked #215 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Laurel EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Laurel EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Laurel EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel EL Sch has 67.4% math proficiency and 71.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Laurel EL Sch a charter school?
No, Laurel EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Laurel EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Laurel EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laurel EL Sch?
37.7% of students at Laurel 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Castle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 499
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lawrence County
- Phone
- (724) 658-2673
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laurel SD- District Enrollment
- 981
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,984
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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.