Average
#199 of 280 schools in VT
Pownal Elementary School
Elementary School · Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
94 School House Road, Pownal, VT 05261
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Vermont elementary schools
#147 of 200
In district
#2 of 5
Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Pownal Elementary School
Pownal Elementary School is a rural public elementary school nestled in the heart of Pownal, Vermont. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 261 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Despite its small size, Pownal Elementary is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment that supports both academic and social development.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 reflects areas for improvement in terms of student performance, where the ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 27% and Math proficiency sits at 17%. While these scores indicate room for growth, Pownal Elementary remains committed to fostering a positive learning atmosphere focused on student development. Pownal Elementary is situated in a serene rural setting, offering students access to nature and community resources that complement their educational experience.
The school's location provides a close-knit environment where families often know each other well, creating a supportive network for both students and parents alike.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pownal Elementary School 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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Pownal Elementary School — Students at Pownal Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from VT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Pownal Elementary School Compares
See how Pownal Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2021) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2021) to 27% (2022).
Location
94 School House Road, Pownal, VT 05261
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pownal Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PINE COBBLE SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Williamstown), which scores notably higher. Another option is VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NO.BENNINGTON (rated 6.5/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby North Bennington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Williamstown Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Williamstown), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pownal, see our Pownal schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bennington Elementary School Bennington | 5.7 mi | 4.9 |
| THE SCHOOL OF SACRED HEART ST FRANCIS DE SALES Bennington | 5.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Monument Elementary School Bennington | 5.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Williamstown Elementary Williamstown | 5.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Mt. Anthony Senior Union High School Bennington | 6.1 mi | 4.6 |
| BUXTON SCHOOL Williamstown | 6.7 mi | 6.8 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bennington | 6.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Molly Stark School Bennington | 6.8 mi | 5.0 |
| PINE COBBLE SCHOOL Williamstown | 7.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Mt. Anthony Union Middle School Bennington | 7.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Greylock North Adams | 7.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Woodford Hollow School Bennington | 7.7 mi | — |
| Mt Greylock Regional High Williamstown | 9.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Brayton North Adams | 8.3 mi | 5.0 |
| HILAND HALL SCHOOL, INC. Bennington | 9.1 mi | — |
| VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NO.BENNINGTON North Bennington | 9.1 mi | 6.5 |
| SOUTHSHIRE COMMUNITY SCHOOL North Bennington | 9.2 mi | — |
| GREEN MT MENNONITE SCHOOL Bennington | 9.2 mi | — |
| HOOSAC SCHOOL Hoosick | 7.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Clarksburg Elementary Clarksburg | 8.1 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 05261 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,724
Median Home Value
$231,500
Population
2,200
College Educated
23.8%
Homeownership
91.8%
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
44.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pownal Elementary School has a median household income of $63,724. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,500. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hiawatha Elementary School Essex Junction, VT | 5.3 |
| Newport City Elementary School Newport, VT | 5.3 |
| Woodstock Elementary School Woodstock, VT | 5.3 |
| Integrated Arts Academy at H. O. Wheeler Burlington, VT | 5.2 |
| Vergennes Union Elementary School Vergennes, VT | 5.2 |
| Berkshire Elementary School Richford, VT | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pownal Elementary School
What grades does Pownal Elementary School serve?
Pownal Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Pownal Elementary School?
Pownal Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pownal Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pownal Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pownal Elementary School rank in VT?
Pownal Elementary School is ranked #199 out of 280 schools in VT.
What is Pownal Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pownal Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Pownal Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pownal Elementary School has 17.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pownal Elementary School a charter school?
No, Pownal Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pownal Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Pownal Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pownal Elementary School?
78.5% of students at Pownal Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (56/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 261
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Bennington County
- Phone
- (802) 823-7333
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87- District Enrollment
- 1,380
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,079
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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