2024 Best Elementary Schools in Pennsylvania

The Complete Guide to Elementary Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to a whopping 5,089 elementary schools, or 3 times more than the typical state. On a per capita basis, the state actually ranks at 28th in the nation, which means there’s still slightly fewer schools than most states when adjusted for population. However, since it's right in the middle of the pack, the metric likely has limited impact on the education quality. In fact, the average school size in the state is actually 7% below the national average, yielding an average of just 354 students per elementary school. This number helps keep school sizes manageable and allows for teachers to keep their focus on each student, which can lead to better educational outcomes.

Overall, these schools receive a B grade on average, just like the nation's average. In terms of ranking within the top 25%, 636 schools in Pennsylvania achieved this feat - equating to about 20% of all elementary schools in the state. Furthermore, when we look at schools that are rated above the national average, there's just about a thousand, which means that approximately 32% of schools make the cut.

Are public elementary schools in Pennsylvania a good option?

Pennsylvania has an impressive 1,827 total public elementary schools. Of these schools, traditional public schools comprise 92% or 1,674 of them. Whilst on paper that looks great, just 49% of all public schools are considered above average vs. the national benchmark - leaving nearly 900 other options that wouldn’t hit that standard. It's worth noting though is that Pennsylvania traditional public elementary schools tend to be larger than their peers across the nation - averaging 455 students - nearly 20% more than most states.

What is the best public elementary school in Pennsylvania?

The best public elementary school in Pennsylvania is Ithan Elementary School located in Bryn Mawr - and it earns a resounding A+ grade from its students and parents alike. The school is quite small with only 470 students enrolled, yet what stands out about it is that it still somehow manages to employ 12 teachers (12:1 student to teacher ratio) which equates to 7% lower than the national average ratio - likely meaning greater focus on each students.

Key statistics about charter elementary schools in Pennsylvania

With over 100 different charter elementary schools (132) spread across different cities and towns throughout Pennsylvania, some parents have asked: are charter schools a good option for their youngsters? The answer here largely depends on preference but it’s important to understand that although noticeably more rare than traditional and magnet options (just 11%), charter options clock in at 8% higher than typical per capita and receive an overall grade of C as a whole.

What is the best charter elementary school in Pennsylvania?

The best charter elementary school in Pennsylvania is The Souderton Charter School Collaborative located in Souderton PA - and it’s been receiving rave reviews from both parents and students alike over recent years. The school is ranked an A+ and has 235 students enrolled and we estimate about 24 teachers (given the 10:1 student to teacher ratio), which makes for an intimate environment for your little one.

Everything you need to know about magnet elementary schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has just 21 magnet elementary schools spread across its borders - puting the state 65% below the typical state per capita (and ranking it 38th in the nation). Those numbers don’t necessarily suggest poor quality though as half (50%) of all magnet options attain grades above B+.