Average
#1723 of 2,842 schools in PA
Rice EL Sch
Elementary School · Crestwood SD
3700 Church Road, Mountain Top, PA 18707
Enrollment
752
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
752
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mountain Top
#1 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,073 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 3
Crestwood SD
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Rice EL Sch
Rice El Sch serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, a rural community in Luzerne County. The school enrolls 752 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.3 to 1, supported by 41 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Rice El Sch ranks in the 55th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, placing it at #1273 out of 2852 statewide.
The school's academic score is 7.3 out of 10, with some variation across subjects. In English language arts and reading, 70% of students perform at or above proficiency levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 50% of students reaching proficiency or above.
These results suggest a school working to strengthen its math instruction and support across all grade levels. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 reflects a mid-range performance profile. For families considering Rice El Sch, it offers a neighborhood elementary option in a rural setting that balances traditional public school instruction with accessible class sizes for a school of its enrollment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Rice EL Sch may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Rice EL Sch — Students at Rice EL Sch score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Rice EL Sch Compares
See how Rice EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 51.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 70.2% (2024).
Location
3700 Church Road, Mountain Top, PA 18707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rice EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dr David W Kistler El Sch (rated 6.4/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Wilkes-Barre), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST JUDE SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lee Park El Sch (rated 5.9/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Hanover Township), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mountain Top, see our Mountain Top schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WYOMING VALLEY SDA ELEMENTARY Mountain Top | 0.9 mi | — |
| GNA El Ctr Nanticoke | 4.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area Ed Ctr Nanticoke | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Kennedy Early Childhood Center Nanticoke | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Greater Nanticoke Area SHS Nanticoke | 4.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JUDE SCHOOL Mountain Top | 3.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Crestwood Secondary Campus Mountain Top | 3.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Hanover Area JSHS Hanover Township | 4.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Hanover Green El Sch Hanover Township | 5.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Fairview El Sch Mountaintop | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Hanover Area Memorial El Sch Hanover Township | 6.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Lyndwood El Sch Hanover Township | 6.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Wyoming Valley West SHS Plymouth | 6.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Lee Park El Sch Hanover Township | 6.5 mi | 5.9 |
| WILKES-BARRE MENNONITE SCHOOL Wilkes-Barre | 6.9 mi | — |
| Dr David W Kistler El Sch Wilkes-Barre | 7.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Wolfpack Early Learning Academy Wilkes-Barre | 7.2 mi | — |
| State El Ctr Larksville | 8.3 mi | 4.4 |
| MILFORD E BARNES JR SCHOOL Wilkes-Barre | 7.7 mi | 6.8 |
| G A R MS Wilkes-Barre | 7.7 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$105,281
Median Home Value
$277,500
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
16,418
College Educated
44%
Homeownership
89.8%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
45.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rice EL Sch has a median household income of $105,281. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,500, with a median rent of $864/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Carnell Laura H Sch Philadelphia, PA | 5.9 |
| Darby Twp Sch Glenolden, PA | 5.9 |
| Diehl Sch Erie, PA | 5.9 |
| Jefferson El Sch Allentown, PA | 5.9 |
| Juniata El Sch Mifflintown, PA | 5.9 |
| Luis A. Ramos El Sch Allentown, PA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rice EL Sch
What grades does Rice EL Sch serve?
Rice EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Rice EL Sch?
Rice EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 752 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rice EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Rice EL Sch is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rice EL Sch rank in PA?
Rice EL Sch is ranked #1723 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Rice EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Rice EL Sch has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Rice EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice EL Sch has 50.0% math proficiency and 70.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rice EL Sch a charter school?
No, Rice EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rice EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Rice EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rice EL Sch?
21.9% of students at Rice 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 752
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Luzerne County
- Phone
- (570) 868-3161
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Crestwood SD- District Enrollment
- 2,775
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,459
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
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