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Very Good

#730 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 26% in state

Pickering Valley EL Sch

Elementary School · Downingtown Area SD

121 Byers Rd, Chester Springs, PA 19425

Enrollment

457

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chester Springs

#1 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#535 of 1,625

In district

#7 of 16

Downingtown Area SD

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Pickering Valley EL Sch

Pickering Valley Elementary School serves 457 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. This high-performing public school maintains a favorable 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, earning an impressive 8.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 71st among Pennsylvania's 2,852 elementary schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 84% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 81% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. Located in Chester County's thriving suburban community, Pickering Valley Elementary benefits from strong community support. The surrounding 19425 ZIP code reflects an affluent, highly educated population with a median household income of $202,165 and median home values of $601,400.

An impressive 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the area maintains a remarkably low poverty rate of just 1.7%. The school operates within a large suburban setting that combines the advantages of community engagement with access to broader educational and cultural resources, providing students with a well-rounded foundation for their academic journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.1%
Math vs. State Avg+29.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.3 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,432

Pickering Valley EL Sch — Students at Pickering Valley EL Sch score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 80.9%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 86.4%
School
State
53.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
83%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2024
Math
81.4%
ELA
83.6%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Pickering Valley EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in PA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

121 Byers Rd, Chester Springs, PA 19425

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pickering Valley EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Uwchlan Hills El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Downingtown), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West Vincent El Sch (rated 7.4/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lionville El Sch (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Downingtown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chester Springs, see our Chester Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WINDSOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Uwchland 0.4 mi 6.7
BETH ISRAEL KINDERGARTEN Eagle 0.7 mi
Shamona Creek El Sch Downingtown 1.7 mi 7.0
Insight PA Cyber CS Exton 1.8 mi 3.8
Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center Downingtown 1.9 mi 6.0
West Vincent El Sch Chester Springs 2.1 mi 7.4
ST MATTHEWS PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Chester Springs 2.1 mi
Lionville MS Exton 2.6 mi 6.6
Lionville El Sch Downingtown 3.0 mi 7.2
Achievement House CS Exton 2.7 mi 4.2
Downingtown HS East Campus Exton 3.0 mi 7.4
Uwchlan Hills El Sch Downingtown 3.3 mi 8.1
GREAT BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN KINDERGARTEN Exton 2.9 mi
THE CAMPHILL SCHOOL, INC. Glenmoore 4.0 mi 8.6
MONTGOMERY SCHOOL Chester Springs 3.3 mi 7.2
Collegium CS Exton 4.4 mi 5.0
East Ward El Sch Downingtown 4.8 mi 6.8
BISHOP SHANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL Downingtown 4.9 mi 4.7
Downingtown MS Downingtown 4.9 mi 7.2
Chester County Tech College HS - Brandywine Campus Downingtown 5.1 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19425 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$210,227

Median Home Value

$621,700

Median Rent

$2,460/mo

Population

17,071

College Educated

78.2%

Homeownership

90.3%

Avg Commute

31.7 min

Poverty Rate

1.3%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pickering Valley EL Sch has a median household income of $210,227. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $621,700, with a median rent of $2,460/month. The local poverty rate of 1.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Adamstown El Sch Adamstown, PA 7.4
Chatham Park El Sch Havertown, PA 7.4
Chestnutwold El Sch Ardmore, PA 7.4
Conemaugh Twp Area El Sch Johnstown, PA 7.4
Dassa McKinney El Sch West Sunbury, PA 7.4
Delta-Peach Bottom El Sch Delta, PA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pickering Valley EL Sch

What grades does Pickering Valley EL Sch serve?

Pickering Valley EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Pickering Valley EL Sch?

Pickering Valley EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pickering Valley EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Pickering Valley EL Sch is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pickering Valley EL Sch rank in PA?

Pickering Valley EL Sch is ranked #730 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Pickering Valley EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickering Valley EL Sch has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Pickering Valley EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pickering Valley EL Sch has 80.9% math proficiency and 86.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pickering Valley EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Pickering Valley EL Sch a Title I school?

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

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

8.3% of students at Pickering Valley 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
8.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Chester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Downingtown Area SD
District Enrollment
13,238
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,308
District Rank
#7 of 16

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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