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Excellent

#137 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 5% 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

8.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#137 of 2,846

In Chester Springs

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 16

Downingtown Area SD

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Pickering Valley EL Sch

8.8/10

Elementary School in Chester Springs · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Windsor Christian Academy

6.7/10

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

Beth Israel Kindergarten

Nearby

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

About Pickering Valley EL Sch

Pickering Valley EL Sch is a public elementary school in Chester Springs, PA, part of Downingtown Area SD. Pickering Valley EL Sch serves approximately 457 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Pickering Valley EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #137 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Pickering Valley EL Sch show 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.3
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+29.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.3 pts
Overall Proficiency83% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,308
Chronic Absenteeism16.6%

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 84.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 89.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
94%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2015
Math
84%
ELA
91%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
93%
2017
Math
83%
ELA
91%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
92%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
92%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2022
Math
80.1%
ELA
90.2%
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: 9.1/10.

How Pickering Valley EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in PA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

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

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. West Vincent El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lionville El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Downingtown), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Shamona Creek El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Downingtown), with a comparable 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 8.4
Insight PA Cyber CS Exton 1.8 mi 4.3
Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center Downingtown 1.9 mi 7.8
West Vincent El Sch Chester Springs 2.1 mi 8.9
ST MATTHEWS PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Chester Springs 2.1 mi
Lionville MS Exton 2.6 mi 6.7
Lionville El Sch Downingtown 3.0 mi 8.5
Achievement House CS Exton 2.7 mi 4.0
Downingtown HS East Campus Exton 3.0 mi 8.5
Uwchlan Hills El Sch Downingtown 3.3 mi 8.4
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 5.4
East Ward El Sch Downingtown 4.8 mi 8.1
BISHOP SHANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL Downingtown 4.9 mi 4.7
Downingtown MS Downingtown 4.9 mi 6.6
Chester County Tech College HS - Brandywine Campus Downingtown 5.1 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bobtown El Sch Bobtown, PA 8.8
Caley El Sch King Of Prussia, PA 8.8
Donaldson Elem Sch Oakdale, PA 8.8
Dormont El Sch Pittsburgh, PA 8.8
Eisenhower El Sch Pittsburgh, PA 8.8
EverGreen El Sch Lake Ariel, PA 8.8

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 ranks #137 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Pickering Valley EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickering Valley EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Pickering Valley EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pickering Valley EL Sch has 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

District

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

How we rate schools

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