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
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Sugarcreek EL Sch — Students at Sugarcreek EL Sch score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
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 Sugarcreek EL Sch Compares
See how Sugarcreek EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 40% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 70.2% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (724) 545-2409
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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