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Very Good

#803 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 28% in state

Sugarcreek EL Sch

Elementary School · Karns City Area SD

1290 State Route 268, Cowansville, PA 16218

Enrollment

178

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#574 of 1,625

In district

#1 of 3

Karns City Area SD

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Sugarcreek EL Sch

Sugarcreek Elementary School serves 178 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in rural Cowansville, Pennsylvania. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention and stronger teacher-student relationships. The school performs well above average statewide, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 755th out of 2,852 Pennsylvania elementary schools, placing it in the 74th percentile.

Students show particular strength in reading and language arts, with 71% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for academic growth, as 41% of students currently achieve proficiency standards. Located along State Route 268 in Armstrong County, Sugarcreek Elementary serves a working-class rural community where the median household income is $63,056 and median home values average $152,400.

The surrounding area maintains a low poverty rate of 11.2%, contributing to a stable learning environment for students. The school sits in Pennsylvania's scenic rural landscape, where families value the small-town atmosphere and close-knit community connections that come with country living.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 178 students, Sugarcreek EL Sch is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Sugarcreek 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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.2%
Math vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,731

Sugarcreek EL Sch — Students at Sugarcreek EL Sch score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.6%
School
State
44.3%
ELA Proficiency 70.6%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 14 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
47%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
41.1%
ELA
71%

* 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 Sugarcreek EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in PA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

1290 State Route 268, Cowansville, PA 16218

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sugarcreek EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sligo El Sch (rated 9.1/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Sligo), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Hills Primary Sch (rated 8.7/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Kittanning), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DIVINE REDEEMER SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Ford City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cowansville, see our Cowansville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOLS Worthington 5.6 mi
West Hills Primary Sch Kittanning 6.4 mi 8.7
West Hills Intermediate Sch Kittanning 6.4 mi 5.9
ADELPHOI EDUCATION AT KITTANNING Kittanning 8.1 mi 5.8
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY Kittanning 8.4 mi 5.4
Chicora El Sch Chicora 7.2 mi 6.0
Karns City HS Karns City 8.0 mi 4.3
Armstrong JSHS Kittanning 9.7 mi 6.0
Union HS Rimersburg 9.8 mi 8.0
DIVINE REDEEMER SCHOOL Ford City 11.0 mi 6.8
DIVINE REDEEMER SCHOOL Ford City 11.0 mi 6.0
Lenape Technical School Ford City 11.2 mi 5.8
Lenape El Sch Ford City 11.5 mi 6.0
ST WENDELIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 10.6 mi 5.9
South Buffalo El Sch Freeport 15.2 mi 4.6
Sligo El Sch Sligo 14.7 mi 9.1
SUMMIT ACADEMY Herman 12.4 mi 9.0
SHADY NOOK AMISH SCHOOL Sligo 15.6 mi 4.0
RUSTLING MAPLES Emlenton 15.7 mi 2.8
Summit Township El Sch Butler 12.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,232

Median Home Value

$181,800

Median Rent

$445/mo

Population

1,138

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

87.2%

Avg Commute

34.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sugarcreek EL Sch has a median household income of $72,232. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,800, with a median rent of $445/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Dunbar Paul L Sch Philadelphia, PA 7.3
Friendship Hill El Sch Point Marion, PA 7.3
HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL Bethlehem, PA 7.3
KRAYBILL MENNONITE SCHOOL Mount Joy, PA 7.3
Pittsburgh Weil K-5 Pittsburgh, PA 7.3
ST CATHARINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Reading, PA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sugarcreek EL Sch

What grades does Sugarcreek EL Sch serve?

Sugarcreek EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Sugarcreek EL Sch?

Sugarcreek EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 178 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Sugarcreek EL Sch is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sugarcreek EL Sch rank in PA?

Sugarcreek EL Sch is ranked #803 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Sugarcreek EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Sugarcreek EL Sch has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Sugarcreek EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sugarcreek EL Sch has 40.6% math proficiency and 70.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sugarcreek EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Sugarcreek EL Sch a Title I school?

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

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

53.9% of students at Sugarcreek 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Armstrong County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Karns City Area SD
District Enrollment
1,309
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,843
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 methodology

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