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
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 65% (2019) to 75.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 79% (2019) to 83.2% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (484) 266-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Chester Area SD- District Enrollment
- 12,109
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,081
- District Rank
- #3 of 17
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
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.