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Excellent

#199 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 7% in state

Mary C Howse EL Sch

Elementary School · West Chester Area SD

641 W Boot Rd, West Chester, PA 19380

Enrollment

474

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Chester

#3 of 19

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#163 of 1,625

In district

#3 of 17

West Chester Area SD

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Mary C Howse EL Sch

Mary C Howse Elementary School serves 474 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It earns a composite score of 8.9/10 — rated Excellent — ranking #132 out of 2,842 public schools statewide and outperforming 95% of Pennsylvania schools. Among West Chester's 19 public schools, it holds the third spot, making it one of the area's strongest options for elementary-age students.

Academic performance scores 8.9/10, reflecting consistently strong proficiency outcomes across grade levels. Growth stands even higher at 9.7/10, meaning students here gain more ground year over year than nearly all of their peers statewide. That combination — high baseline plus high trajectory — is a rare pairing and signals effective instruction across the K–5 span.

The student-teacher ratio sits at 14.4 to 1, giving teachers meaningful contact time with each student. With 474 total enrolled, the school operates at a scale that supports both community cohesion and adequate program depth. As a regular public school, it draws from the surrounding West Chester community without selective admission.

For families weighing elementary options in Chester County, Howse's position at #114 out of 1,625 Pennsylvania elementary schools places it comfortably in the top tier of the state's largest school category.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.2%
Math vs. State Avg+23.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.4 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,724

Mary C Howse EL Sch — Students at Mary C Howse EL Sch score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.4%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 82.2%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2024
Math
75.3%
ELA
83%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Mary C Howse EL Sch Compares

See how Mary C Howse EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in PA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

641 W Boot Rd, West Chester, PA 19380

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mary C Howse EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Bradford El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Uwchlan Hills El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Downingtown), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SS PHILIP & JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Exton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Chester, see our West Chester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Collegium CS Exton 1.4 mi 5.0
E N Peirce MS West Chester 1.3 mi 6.0
Exton El Sch Exton 1.8 mi 7.5
THE GODDARD SCHOOL - EXTON Exton 2.0 mi
Greystone El Sch West Chester 1.9 mi 7.0
East Bradford El Sch West Chester 2.4 mi 8.7
Chester County Tech College HS - Brandywine Campus Downingtown 2.0 mi 6.4
DEVEREUX DAY SCHOOL-CARES Downingtown 2.0 mi 8.4
CIDDS LEARNING CENTER West Chester 2.2 mi 8.5
Downingtown HS East Campus Exton 2.8 mi 7.4
Lionville El Sch Downingtown 2.8 mi 7.2
BISHOP SHANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL Downingtown 2.3 mi 4.7
SS PHILIP & JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Exton 2.7 mi 7.8
Uwchlan Hills El Sch Downingtown 2.8 mi 8.1
Lionville MS Exton 3.2 mi 6.6
East Ward El Sch Downingtown 2.7 mi 6.8
WEST CHESTER FRIENDS SCHOOL West Chester 3.3 mi 7.5
GREAT BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN KINDERGARTEN Exton 3.7 mi
Achievement House CS Exton 3.7 mi 4.2
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY#15 West Chester 2.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19380 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,876

Median Home Value

$530,400

Median Rent

$1,820/mo

Population

50,093

College Educated

64.4%

Homeownership

72.7%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.9%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mary C Howse EL Sch has a median household income of $122,876. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $530,400, with a median rent of $1,820/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Alburtis El Sch Alburtis, PA 8.6
Bache-Martin Sch Philadelphia, PA 8.6
Bridge Valley El Sch Furlong, PA 8.6
Fort Allen El Sch Greensburg, PA 8.6
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey, PA 8.6
Hickory Grove El Sch Brookville, PA 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mary C Howse EL Sch

What grades does Mary C Howse EL Sch serve?

Mary C Howse EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Mary C Howse EL Sch?

Mary C Howse EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary C Howse EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Mary C Howse EL Sch is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mary C Howse EL Sch rank in PA?

Mary C Howse EL Sch is ranked #199 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Mary C Howse EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Mary C Howse EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Mary C Howse EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mary C Howse EL Sch has 71.4% math proficiency and 82.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mary C Howse EL Sch a charter school?

No, Mary C Howse EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mary C Howse EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Mary C Howse EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mary C Howse EL Sch?

7.4% of students at Mary C Howse 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
17 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,470/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Chester). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Chester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Chester Area SD
District Enrollment
12,109
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,081
District Rank
#3 of 17

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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