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Excellent

#345 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 12% in state

Wharton EL Sch

Elementary School · Lancaster SD

705 N Mary St, Lancaster, PA 17603

Enrollment

333

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#345 of 2,846

In Lancaster

#1 of 37

public schools

In district

#1 of 19

Lancaster SD

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Wharton EL Sch

8.3/10

Elementary School in Lancaster · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Reynolds MS

6.0/10

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

Sacred Heart School

7.2/10

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

About Wharton EL Sch

Wharton EL Sch is a public elementary school in Lancaster, PA, part of Lancaster SD. Wharton EL Sch serves approximately 333 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Wharton EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #345 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Wharton EL Sch show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.9
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.3% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-3.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,604
Chronic Absenteeism13.2%

Wharton EL Sch — Students at Wharton EL Sch score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 57.6% (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
62%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
41.1%
ELA
44.6%
2024
Math
48%
ELA
54.1%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Wharton EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
88th percentile in PA
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

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

705 N Mary St, Lancaster, PA 17603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wharton EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ross El Sch (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Reynolds MS Lancaster 0.5 mi 6.0
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Lancaster 0.5 mi 7.2
Ross El Sch Lancaster 0.4 mi 7.3
Fulton El Sch Lancaster 0.7 mi 5.7
LANCASTER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lancaster 0.7 mi 7.5
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI Lancaster 0.8 mi 7.4
Brecht Sch Lancaster 0.9 mi 7.3
Carter and MacRae El Sch Lancaster 1.1 mi 5.4
WONDER ACADEMY Lancaster 1.1 mi
Wheatland MS Lancaster 1.3 mi 5.3
Smith-Wade-El El Sch Lancaster 1.3 mi 6.4
Lafayette El Sch Lancaster 1.5 mi 5.5
King El Sch Lancaster 1.3 mi 5.4
La Academia Partnership CS Lancaster 1.2 mi 4.2
LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lancaster 1.2 mi 6.7
Price El Sch Lancaster 1.5 mi 5.3
RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lancaster 1.2 mi 8.6
Phoenix Academy Lancaster 1.5 mi 3.8
McCaskey Campus Lancaster 1.3 mi 7.2
Wickersham El Sch Lancaster 1.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,156

Median Home Value

$244,500

Median Rent

$1,265/mo

Population

66,788

College Educated

36.7%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

35.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Adaire Alexander Sch Philadelphia, PA 8.3
COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Pittsburgh, PA 8.3
Gayman El Sch Doylestown, PA 8.3
Hahntown El Sch North Huntingdon, PA 8.3
Hilltop El Sch Aston, PA 8.3
Holland El Sch Holland, PA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wharton EL Sch

What grades does Wharton EL Sch serve?

Wharton EL Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Wharton EL Sch?

Wharton EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Wharton EL Sch is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wharton EL Sch rank in PA?

Wharton EL Sch ranks #345 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Wharton EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Wharton EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Wharton EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wharton EL Sch has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Wharton EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Wharton EL Sch a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Wharton 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
88 Very Walkable
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lancaster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

District

Lancaster SD
District Enrollment
10,015
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,604
District Rank
#1 of 19

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