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Needs Improvement

#2704 of 2,846 schools in PA

Northwest EL Sch

Elementary School · Reading SD

820 Clinton Street, Reading, PA 19601

Enrollment

501

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,704 of 2,846

In Reading

#20 of 31

public schools

In district

#9 of 19

Reading SD

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Northwest EL Sch

3.3/10

Elementary School in Reading · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New Story School

8.1/10

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

Glenside EL Sch

2.9/10

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

About Northwest EL Sch

Northwest EL Sch is a public elementary school in Reading, PA, part of Reading SD. Northwest EL Sch serves approximately 501 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,704 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Northwest EL Sch show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.2
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Northwest EL Sch were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.6% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-30.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,659
Chronic Absenteeism36.5%

Northwest EL Sch — Students at Northwest EL Sch score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
47.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 31.9% (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
73%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
21.6%
ELA
20.7%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Northwest EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
5th percentile in PA
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.5%

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

820 Clinton Street, Reading, PA 19601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwest EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SACRED HEART GRADE SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby West Reading), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARGARET SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PETER SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Reading, see our Reading schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
NEW STORY SCHOOL Wyomissing 0.5 mi 8.1
Glenside El Sch Reading 0.7 mi 2.9
Northwest MS Reading 0.6 mi 2.1
West Reading El Ctr West Reading 0.9 mi 6.6
SACRED HEART GRADE SCHOOL West Reading 0.9 mi 7.8
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading 0.8 mi 6.9
Riverside El Sch Reading 0.9 mi 2.7
Lauers Park El Sch Reading 0.9 mi 2.1
Southwest MS Reading 1.3 mi 5.4
BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Reading 1.6 mi 6.1
ST PETER SCHOOL Reading 1.5 mi 6.5
Tyson-Schoener El Sch Reading 1.5 mi 3.2
Tenth & Green El Sch Reading 1.5 mi 4.1
Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading 1.7 mi 3.1
READING SDA JR ACADEMY Reading 2.1 mi 6.4
Southern MS Reading 1.8 mi 2.0
OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL Reading 2.1 mi
Twelfth & Marion El Sch Reading 1.7 mi 3.8
Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading 1.9 mi 2.0
Millmont El Sch Reading 2.2 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,133

Median Home Value

$110,700

Median Rent

$986/mo

Population

36,493

College Educated

11.5%

Homeownership

37.3%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

29.8%

Median Age

32

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dana El Ctr Forty Fort, PA 3.3
Elkin Lewis Sch Philadelphia, PA 3.3
John G Whittier #2 Scranton, PA 3.3
Mahanoy Area El Sch Mahanoy City, PA 3.3
Muhlenberg El Sch Allentown, PA 3.3
Propel CS-McKeesport Pittsburgh, PA 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwest EL Sch

What grades does Northwest EL Sch serve?

Northwest EL Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Northwest EL Sch?

Northwest EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 501 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwest EL Sch is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwest EL Sch rank in PA?

Northwest EL Sch ranks #2,704 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Northwest EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Northwest EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest EL Sch has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Northwest EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Northwest EL Sch a Title I school?

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

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

100.6% of students at Northwest 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Berks County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.5%

District

Reading SD
District Enrollment
16,657
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,659
District Rank
#9 of 19

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