Very Good
#982 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 35% in state
West Hempfield EL Sch
Elementary School · Hempfield Area SD
469 Wendel Road, Irwin, PA 15642
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Irwin
#1 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#667 of 1,625
In district
#5 of 8
Hempfield Area SD
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About West Hempfield EL Sch
West Hempfield Elementary School serves 504 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Irwin, Pennsylvania. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.0:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, West Hempfield Elementary earns a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #725 out of 2,852 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 75th percentile among Pennsylvania schools.
Student performance shows 59% achieving proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 54% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels tested. The school sits in Westmoreland County's large suburban setting, serving a community with strong economic foundations. The surrounding 15642 ZIP code area reflects stability with a median household income of $85,210 and median home values of $222,600.
The neighborhood demonstrates a commitment to education, with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 6.4%. West Hempfield Elementary operates within this well-established suburban community of nearly 47,000 residents, providing elementary education in an environment that balances accessibility with academic achievement.
Score Breakdown
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West Hempfield EL Sch — Students at West Hempfield EL Sch score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 6.8/10.
How West Hempfield EL Sch Compares
See how West Hempfield EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 53.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 58.8% (2024).
Location
469 Wendel Road, Irwin, PA 15642
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Hempfield EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hahntown El Sch (rated 7.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby North Huntingdon), which scores slightly higher. Another option is QUEEN OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby North Huntingdon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harrison Park El Sch (rated 6.9/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Jeannette), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Irwin, see our Irwin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Hempfield MS Irwin | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| CALVARY PRESCHOOL CENTER Irwin | 1.3 mi | — |
| QUEEN OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL North Huntingdon | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Sheridan Terrace El Sch North Huntingdon | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Hahntown El Sch North Huntingdon | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Norwin HS North Huntingdon | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Norwin MS North Huntingdon | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Hillcrest Intermediate Sch North Huntingdon | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Penn Trafford HS Harrison City | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| H W Good El Sch Herminie | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| HERITAGE BAPTIST ACADEMY Jeannette | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Harrison Park El Sch Jeannette | 4.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Jeannette McKee El Sch Jeannette | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Sunset Valley El Sch North Huntingdon | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Sunrise El Sch Irwin | 4.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Yough SHS Herminie | 4.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Penn MS Jeannette | 4.5 mi | 7.6 |
| McCullough El Sch Jeannette | 4.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Jeannette HS Jeannette | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Hempfield Area SHS Greensburg | 4.3 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15642 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,975
Median Home Value
$236,000
Median Rent
$960/mo
Population
46,727
College Educated
41.1%
Homeownership
84.8%
Avg Commute
29.8 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
44.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Hempfield EL Sch has a median household income of $92,975. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,000, with a median rent of $960/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethune Mary McLeod Sch Philadelphia, PA | 7.0 |
| Blairsville El Sch Blairsville, PA | 7.0 |
| Bryant William C Sch Philadelphia, PA | 7.0 |
| Candlebrook El Sch King Of Prussia, PA | 7.0 |
| Duckrey Tanner Sch Philadelphia, PA | 7.0 |
| Elk Valley El Sch Lake City, PA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Hempfield EL Sch
What grades does West Hempfield EL Sch serve?
West Hempfield EL Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West Hempfield EL Sch?
West Hempfield EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 504 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Hempfield EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at West Hempfield EL Sch is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Hempfield EL Sch rank in PA?
West Hempfield EL Sch is ranked #982 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is West Hempfield EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
West Hempfield EL Sch has a composite rating of 7.0 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 West Hempfield EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Hempfield EL Sch has 53.2% math proficiency and 60.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Hempfield EL Sch a charter school?
No, West Hempfield EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Hempfield EL Sch a Title I school?
No, West Hempfield EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Hempfield EL Sch?
52.0% of students at West Hempfield 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irwin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 504
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Westmoreland County
- Phone
- (724) 850-2780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hempfield Area SD- District Enrollment
- 5,126
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,134
- District Rank
- #5 of 8
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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