Skip to main content

Very Good

#766 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 27% in state

Mars Area EL Sch

Elementary School · Mars Area SD

549 Route 228, Mars, PA 16046

Enrollment

927

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

7.5

Grades

2nd – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#766 of 2,846

In Mars

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

Mars Area SD

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Mars Area EL Sch?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Mars Area EL Sch

7.5/10

Elementary School in Mars · grades 2nd – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mars Area Primary Ctr

3.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Longmore Academy

7.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mars Area EL Sch

Mars Area EL Sch is a public elementary school in Mars, PA, part of Mars Area SD. Mars Area EL Sch serves approximately 927 students, and covers grades 2nd-4th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Mars Area EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #766 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Mars Area EL Sch show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.7
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.7% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+22.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.9 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,784
Chronic Absenteeism5.4%

Mars Area EL Sch — Students at Mars Area EL Sch score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 79.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
47.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 83.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.5% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
96%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
94%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
86%
2017
Math
76%
ELA
85%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
68%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
80%
2022
Math
69.7%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
74.3%
ELA
78.7%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Mars Area EL Sch Compares

See how Mars Area EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in PA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
5.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

549 Route 228, Mars, PA 16046

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mars Area EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Richland El Sch (rated 8.8/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Gibsonia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wexford El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Wexford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Poff El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Gibsonia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mars, see our Mars schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Mars Area Primary Ctr Mars 0.1 mi 3.9
LONGMORE ACADEMY Mars 0.3 mi 7.1
Mars Area SHS Mars 0.4 mi 8.2
Mars Area MS Mars 0.4 mi 5.1
Mars Area Centennial Sch Mars 0.8 mi 6.5
Eden Hall Upper El Sch Gibsonia 2.9 mi 8.6
Richland El Sch Gibsonia 3.1 mi 8.8
Pine-Richland HS Gibsonia 3.1 mi 9.2
Pine-Richland MS Gibsonia 3.2 mi 7.3
EURO ACADEMY Wexford 3.5 mi
STEM STEPS Gibsonia 4.6 mi
HOLY SEPULCHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 3.9 mi 6.6
KINDER CARE LEARNING CENTER Seven Fields 4.0 mi 3.7
Hance El Sch Gibsonia 5.1 mi 8.0
NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Cranberry Township 4.5 mi 5.6
PENN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Butler 6.2 mi 6.5
Wexford El Sch Wexford 6.1 mi 8.5
NORTH PITTSBURGH CHILDRENS HOUSE Gibsonia 6.5 mi
HOPE ACADEMY Wexford 5.8 mi 6.4
Poff El Sch Gibsonia 6.6 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$143,987

Median Home Value

$481,400

Median Rent

$1,713/mo

Population

19,577

College Educated

67.5%

Homeownership

83.2%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bache-Martin Sch Philadelphia, PA 7.5
Hambright El Sch Lancaster, PA 7.5
Jamison El Sch Jamison, PA 7.5
Kenneth N Butz Jr El Sch Nazareth, PA 7.5
Pine Road El Sch Huntingdon Valley, PA 7.5
Punxsutawney Area El Sch Punxutawney, PA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mars Area EL Sch

What grades does Mars Area EL Sch serve?

Mars Area EL Sch serves students in grades 2nd through 4th.

How many students attend Mars Area EL Sch?

Mars Area EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 927 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mars Area EL Sch?

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

How does Mars Area EL Sch rank in PA?

Mars Area EL Sch ranks #766 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Mars Area EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Mars Area EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mars Area EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mars Area EL Sch has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Mars Area EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Mars Area EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Mars Area EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mars Area EL Sch?

12.5% of students at Mars Area 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 4th
Enrollment
927
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Butler County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
5.4%

District

Mars Area SD
District Enrollment
3,607
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,784
District Rank
#2 of 5

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.