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Excellent

#248 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 9% in state

Laurel Valley EL Sch

Elementary School · Ligonier Valley SD

137 Education Lane, New Florence, PA 15944

Enrollment

230

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#210 of 1,625

In district

#2 of 4

Ligonier Valley SD

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Laurel Valley EL Sch

Laurel Valley EL Sch is a public elementary school in New Florence, PA, part of the Ligonier Valley SD. The school serves approximately 230 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.3th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 31% proficiency in math, 15 points below the state average and 48% in reading/language arts, 6 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $70,086, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Laurel Valley 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 Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.8%
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,436

Laurel Valley EL Sch — Students at Laurel Valley EL Sch score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.0%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 12 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
27%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
35.5%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Laurel Valley EL Sch Compares

See how Laurel Valley EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
91th percentile in PA
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

137 Education Lane, New Florence, PA 15944

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laurel Valley EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mellon El Sch (rated 9.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Ligonier), which scores slightly higher. Another option is United El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Armagh), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Homer-Center El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Homer City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New Florence, see our New Florence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.6 mi
School Distance Rating
OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL Bolivar 5.6 mi 7.8
United JSHS Armagh 8.2 mi 6.2
United El Sch Armagh 8.4 mi 8.6
Westmont Hilltop JSHS Johnstown 7.4 mi 5.9
Blairsville El Sch Blairsville 8.6 mi 7.0
River Valley HS Blairsville 8.6 mi 6.3
River Valley MS Blairsville 8.6 mi 6.6
Greater Johnstown El Sch Johnstown 8.4 mi 5.1
Ligonier Valley MS Ligonier 10.1 mi 6.8
Mellon El Sch Ligonier 10.1 mi 9.1
Ligonier Valley HS Ligonier 10.2 mi 5.8
Westmont Hilltop El Sch Johnstown 9.4 mi 7.7
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY,WEST CAMPUS Johnstown 9.6 mi 6.7
Homer-Center JSHS Homer City 12.3 mi 6.4
Ferndale El Sch Johnstown 9.7 mi 4.1
CENTER FOR ACHIEVEMENT Johnstown 9.6 mi
Homer-Center El Sch Homer City 12.4 mi 8.3
JOHNSTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hollsopple 11.1 mi 7.6
BISHOP MC CORT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Johnstown 10.7 mi 6.6
Grandview El Sch Derry 10.6 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15944 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,086

Median Home Value

$160,200

Median Rent

$671/mo

Population

3,198

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

85.7%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laurel Valley EL Sch has a median household income of $70,086. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,200, with a median rent of $671/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Benner El Sch Bellefonte, PA 8.4
Boothwyn El Sch Boothwyn, PA 8.4
Borland Manor El Sch Canonsburg, PA 8.4
Fulton El Sch Lancaster, PA 8.4
MOTHER TERESA REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL King Of Prussia, PA 8.4
McCormick El Sch Moon Township, PA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laurel Valley EL Sch

What grades does Laurel Valley EL Sch serve?

Laurel Valley EL Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Laurel Valley EL Sch?

Laurel Valley EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 230 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel Valley EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Valley EL Sch is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laurel Valley EL Sch rank in PA?

Laurel Valley EL Sch is ranked #248 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Laurel Valley EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Valley EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Valley EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel Valley EL Sch has 31.0% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Laurel Valley EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Laurel Valley EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Laurel Valley EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laurel Valley EL Sch?

100.0% of students at Laurel Valley 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Westmoreland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ligonier Valley SD
District Enrollment
1,375
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,221
District Rank
#2 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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