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Average

#2254 of 2,842 schools in PA

Northwest EL Sch

Elementary School · Reading SD

820 Clinton Street, Reading, PA 19601

Enrollment

501

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Reading

#11 of 31

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,313 of 1,625

In district

#8 of 19

Reading SD

About Northwest EL Sch

Northwest El Sch is a regular public elementary school located in Reading, Pennsylvania, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 501 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school provides a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio compared to many other schools, which can be beneficial for individual attention. Northwest El Sch has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.9 out of 10 and is ranked at #2696 among Pennsylvania's 2852 schools, placing it in the bottom sixth percentile academically.

Test scores indicate that only 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 18% meet proficiency standards in Math. These results suggest there is room for improvement and growth in academic performance. The school's location in a small city means it serves a community with its own unique character and needs.

While specific neighborhood details aren't available, the setting provides students with a variety of local resources and experiences that can complement their educational journey. Northwest El Sch is situated in a vibrant yet challenging urban environment where the focus seems to be on supporting student development and growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Northwest EL Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.6%
Math vs. State Avg-30.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,340

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 18.5%
School
State
47.0%
ELA Proficiency 23.8%
School
State
53.5%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
7.5%
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: 6.6/10.

How Northwest EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
21th percentile in PA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

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, Tenth & Penn El Sch (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 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 5.2
Northwest MS Reading 0.6 mi 2.8
West Reading El Ctr West Reading 0.9 mi 4.5
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 3.0
Lauers Park El Sch Reading 0.9 mi 2.1
Southwest MS Reading 1.3 mi 5.3
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 4.9
Tenth & Green El Sch Reading 1.5 mi 6.6
Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading 1.7 mi 6.9
READING SDA JR ACADEMY Reading 2.1 mi 6.4
Southern MS Reading 1.8 mi 3.8
OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL Reading 2.1 mi
Twelfth & Marion El Sch Reading 1.7 mi 5.4
Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading 1.9 mi 2.2
Millmont El Sch Reading 2.2 mi 3.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northwest EL Sch has a median household income of $41,133. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,700, with a median rent of $986/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
A L Wilson El Sch Fairchance, PA 5.1
Audrielle Lynch-Ellen Bustin El Sch Athens, PA 5.1
Comly Watson Sch Philadelphia, PA 5.1
Eugenio Maria DE Hostos CS Philadelphia, PA 5.1
Gill Hall El Sch Jefferson Hills, PA 5.1
Hatfield El Sch Hatfield, PA 5.1

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 is ranked #2254 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Northwest EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest EL Sch has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Northwest EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest EL Sch has 18.5% math proficiency and 23.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (1,784/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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