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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,584

Pownal Elementary School — Students at Pownal Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from VT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
27%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in VT
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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