Average
#1205 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 42% in state
Mars Area EL Sch
Elementary School · Mars Area SD
549 Route 228, Mars, PA 16046
Enrollment
927
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.7
Grades
2nd – 4th
Enrollment
927
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.7
Grades
2nd – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mars
#2 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#803 of 1,625
In district
#2 of 5
Mars Area SD
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Mars Area EL Sch
Mars Area Elementary School serves 927 students in grades 2 through 4 in Mars, Pennsylvania, providing a focused educational environment during these crucial early learning years. With 58 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 16:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful individual attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking #388 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania elementary schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.
Students consistently achieve solid results, with 79% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 74% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in Mathematics across the grade levels served. Mars Area Elementary benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community within Butler County. The surrounding 16046 zip code area reflects strong family investment in education, with 64% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $135,805.
The low poverty rate of just 2.7% indicates economic stability throughout the community. Located on Route 228 in a large suburban setting, Mars Area Elementary School serves families in a well-established community where education is clearly valued and academic achievement is supported both in school and at home.
Score Breakdown
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Mars Area EL Sch — Students at Mars Area EL Sch score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Mars Area EL Sch Compares
See how Mars Area EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 74% (2019) to 74.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 78.7% (2024).
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. Wexford El Sch (rated 7.3/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Wexford), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Richland El Sch (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Gibsonia), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HOLY SEPULCHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Butler), with a very similar rating. 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 | 3.7 |
| LONGMORE ACADEMY Mars | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Mars Area SHS Mars | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Mars Area MS Mars | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Mars Area Centennial Sch Mars | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Eden Hall Upper El Sch Gibsonia | 2.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Richland El Sch Gibsonia | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Pine-Richland HS Gibsonia | 3.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Pine-Richland MS Gibsonia | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 3.6 |
| Hance El Sch Gibsonia | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Cranberry Township | 4.5 mi | 5.5 |
| PENN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Butler | 6.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Wexford El Sch Wexford | 6.1 mi | 7.3 |
| NORTH PITTSBURGH CHILDRENS HOUSE Gibsonia | 6.5 mi | — |
| HOPE ACADEMY Wexford | 5.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Poff El Sch Gibsonia | 6.6 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mars Area EL Sch has a median household income of $143,987. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $481,400, with a median rent of $1,713/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Butler El Sch Chalfont, PA | 6.7 |
| Christopher Columbus CS Philadelphia, PA | 6.7 |
| Dunmore El Ctr Dunmore, PA | 6.7 |
| Kathryn D. Markley El Sch Malvern, PA | 6.7 |
| Lehighton Area Elementary Center Lehighton, PA | 6.7 |
| Mercer Area El Sch Mercer, PA | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #1205 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Mars Area EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Mars Area EL Sch has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Mars Area EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mars Area EL Sch has 73.0% math proficiency and 80.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (724) 625-3161
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mars Area SD- District Enrollment
- 3,607
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,784
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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