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Needs Improvement

#2742 of 2,842 schools in PA

Based on limited data

Mars Area Primary Ctr

Elementary School · Mars Area SD

547 Route 228, Mars, PA 16046

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on PA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

496

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 1st

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mars

#5 of 5

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,570 of 1,625

In district

#5 of 5

Mars Area SD

About Mars Area Primary Ctr

Mars Area Primary Center is a small elementary school located in Mars, Pennsylvania. Serving kindergarten through first grade, the school has an enrollment of 496 students and employs 23 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. Despite not having recent test score data available, the MySchoolScout rating reflects that there is room for academic growth at Mars Area Primary Center.

The school is situated in a large suburban area with easy access to Route 228. While specific neighborhood details are unavailable, the setting offers a typical suburban environment with nearby parks and recreational areas. Parents considering this school can appreciate its small size and close-knit community feel, which may provide opportunities for personalized learning experiences and strong teacher-student relationships.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mars Area Primary Ctr is 21.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on PA state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,259

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Mars Area Primary Ctr Compares

See how Mars Area Primary Ctr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in PA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

547 Route 228, Mars, PA 16046

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mars Area Primary Ctr may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Wexford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wexford El Sch (rated 7.3/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Wexford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mars Area El Sch (rated 6.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mars, see our Mars schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Mars Area El Sch Mars 0.1 mi 6.7
LONGMORE ACADEMY Mars 0.3 mi 7.1
Mars Area SHS Mars 0.3 mi 6.8
Mars Area MS Mars 0.5 mi 5.0
Mars Area Centennial Sch Mars 0.9 mi 6.1
Eden Hall Upper El Sch Gibsonia 2.8 mi 7.3
Pine-Richland HS Gibsonia 3.0 mi 8.8
Richland El Sch Gibsonia 3.0 mi 6.7
Pine-Richland MS Gibsonia 3.1 mi 5.2
EURO ACADEMY Wexford 3.3 mi
STEM STEPS Gibsonia 4.5 mi
HOLY SEPULCHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 4.0 mi 6.6
KINDER CARE LEARNING CENTER Seven Fields 3.9 mi 3.6
Hance El Sch Gibsonia 5.0 mi 4.3
NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Cranberry Township 4.4 mi 5.5
Wexford El Sch Wexford 6.0 mi 7.3
HOPE ACADEMY Wexford 5.7 mi 6.4
NORTH PITTSBURGH CHILDRENS HOUSE Gibsonia 6.4 mi
PENN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Butler 6.3 mi 6.5
EDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wexford 5.8 mi 7.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mars Area Primary Ctr 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
Francis H Sheckler El Sch Catasauqua, PA 3.7
GNA El Ctr Nanticoke, PA 3.7
Houck El Sch Lebanon, PA 3.7
Logan El Sch Altoona, PA 3.7
Martinsburg El Sch Martinsburg, PA 3.7
Oaklyn Sch Sunbury, PA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mars Area Primary Ctr

What grades does Mars Area Primary Ctr serve?

Mars Area Primary Ctr serves students in grades Kindergarten through 1st.

How many students attend Mars Area Primary Ctr?

Mars Area Primary Ctr has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mars Area Primary Ctr?

The student-teacher ratio at Mars Area Primary Ctr is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mars Area Primary Ctr rank in PA?

Mars Area Primary Ctr is ranked #2742 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Mars Area Primary Ctr's MySchoolScout rating?

Mars Area Primary Ctr has a composite rating of 3.7 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.

Is Mars Area Primary Ctr a charter school?

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

Is Mars Area Primary Ctr a Title I school?

No, Mars Area Primary Ctr is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mars Area Primary Ctr?

11.7% of students at Mars Area Primary Ctr 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 1st
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Butler County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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