Ritter Elementary School

Summary:

Ritter Elementary School is a public elementary school in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serving 409 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Allentown City School District, which is ranked 544 out of 610 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ritter Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom 20% of Pennsylvania elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's proficiency rates in PSSA Math, Science, and English Language Arts are significantly lower than the state averages, often by 20-30 percentage points. Ritter's performance is also below the Allentown City School District averages, indicating it is one of the lower-performing schools in the district. Subgroup performance is also concerning, with Hispanic, low socioeconomic status, and disabled students ranking in the bottom 20-30% of Pennsylvania elementary schools. This is likely due to the extremely high percentage (over 99%) of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a very high level of poverty among the student population.

In contrast, nearby schools in the Bethlehem Area School District, such as James Buchanan Elementary and Calypso Elementary, demonstrate significantly higher academic performance, with proficiency rates often 20-30 percentage points higher than Ritter Elementary. This highlights the disparities in educational outcomes between the two neighboring school districts, which may be influenced by factors such as funding, resources, and community support.


Detail:

Public K-5

 790 N Plymouth Street
       Allentown, PA  18109-2396


(484) 765-5661

District: Allentown City School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1266th of 1,526 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,682 Help


Students who attend Ritter Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Harrison-Morton Middle School
High:    Louis E Dieruff High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.9 Help
Number of students:  426

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
69.2%
White:
11.5%
African American:
9.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ritter Elementary School ranks worse than 83% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks 5th among 13 ranked elementary schools in the Allentown City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 16.42. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (69.2%), White (11.5%), African American (9.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ritter Elementary School is 13.9, which is the 2nd best among 13 elementary schools in the Allentown City School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ritter Elementary School employs 30.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ritter Elementary School is $15,682, which is the 6th highest among 13 elementary schools in the Allentown City School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ritter Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Ritter Elementary School 1266th of 1526 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See Ritter Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Allentown City School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Allentown City School District 544th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Ritter Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Ritter Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 61.49 586th 1302 55.0%
2004 58.99 633rd 1308 51.6%
2005 42.47 911th 1299 29.9%
2006 43.07 1088th 1545 29.6%
2007 41.45 1116th 1555 28.2%
2008 28.62 1278th 1551 17.6%
2009 31.25 1266th 1549 18.3%
2010 29.56 1303rd 1579 17.5%
2011 27.96 1327th 1597 16.9%
2012 48.70 1069th 1599 33.1%
2013 46.08 1038th 1519 31.7%
2014 33.78 1132nd 1467 22.8%
2015 43.66 961st 1474 34.8%
2016 40.80 1064th 1554 31.5%
2017 40.71 1064th 1547 31.2%
2018 45.66 995th 1530 35.0%
2019 26.57 1186th 1544 23.2%
2022 23.22 1191st 1534 22.4%
2023 20.32 1220th 1534 20.5%
2024 16.42 1266th 1526 17.0%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Ritter Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 45.91 92nd 196 53.1%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Ritter Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 27.80 1077th 1414 23.8%
2024 27.77 1096th 1432 23.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Ritter Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 22.68 1163rd 1488 21.8%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Ritter Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 23.60 863rd 1084 20.4%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Ritter Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 17.69 1227th 1495 17.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Ritter Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 46.97 224th 432 48.1%
2024 37.10 300th 454 33.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Dept of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Ritter Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

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Enrollment information for Ritter Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 382 21 18 28 1 n/a n/a 0 450
1989 404 27 23 36 0 n/a n/a 0 490
1990 384 32 18 37 0 n/a n/a 0 471
1991 374 34 17 42 2 n/a n/a 0 469
1992 366 31 16 45 2 n/a n/a 0 460
1993 370 38 9 45 2 n/a n/a 0 464
1994 381 35 12 42 0 n/a n/a 0 470
1995 395 52 18 79 0 n/a n/a 0 544
1996 395 52 18 79 0 n/a n/a 0 544
1997 377 50 23 102 0 n/a n/a 0 552
1998 304 33 18 89 0 n/a n/a 0 444
1999 290 43 20 91 2 n/a n/a 0 446
2000 274 46 22 109 1 n/a n/a 0 452
2001 299 44 21 133 0 n/a n/a 0 497
2002 256 61 15 160 0 n/a n/a 0 492
2003 256 61 15 160 0 n/a n/a 0 492
2004 241 70 15 188 0 n/a n/a 0 514
2005 232 60 14 200 0 n/a n/a 0 506
2006 212 74 12 221 0 n/a n/a 0 519
2007 197 85 12 237 0 n/a n/a 0 531
2008 201 96 15 251 0 n/a n/a 0 563
2009 193 85 13 274 0 n/a n/a 0 565
2010 188 79 14 309 0 n/a n/a 0 590
2011 196 82 10 270 0 0 15 0 573
2012 185 69 10 249 0 0 17 0 530
2013 161 55 10 261 0 1 22 0 510
2014 142 58 10 303 0 1 29 0 543
2015 135 39 8 278 0 1 25 0 486
2016 121 44 9 242 0 1 21 0 438
2017 133 60 14 359 0 2 20 0 588
2018 128 62 16 378 2 0 18 0 604
2019 111 65 13 397 0 1 14 0 601
2020 104 53 11 382 0 0 11 0 561
2021 82 56 6 264 0 0 19 0 427
2022 66 51 6 268 0 1 27 0 419
2023 55 44 9 270 1 0 30 0 409
2024 49 41 7 295 0 0 34 0 426

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ritter Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 450 21.8 20.6 n/a
1989 490 21.6 22.6 n/a
1990 471 31.2 15.0 0
1991 469 23.5 19.9 n/a
1992 460 22.4 20.5 n/a
1993 464 18.0 25.8 n/a
1994 470 18.0 26.1 n/a
1995 544 20.0 27.2 n/a
1996 544 20.0 27.2 n/a
1997 552 20.0 27.6 n/a
1998 444 20.0 22.2 n/a
1999 446 20.0 22.3 n/a
2000 452 22.0 20.5 50.4
2001 497 23.0 21.6 42.7
2002 492 27.1 18.2 45.5
2003 492 27.1 18.2 45.5
2004 514 26.8 19.2 38.1
2005 506 28.0 18.1 44.3
2006 519 25.6 20.3 61.1
2007 531 24.8 21.4 60.6
2008 563 24.8 22.7 67.3
2009 565 26.1 21.6 69.4
2010 590 26.3 22.4 69.8
2011 573 30.8 18.6 76.6
2012 530 12.4 42.4 72.5
2013 510 25.9 19.6 77.1
2014 543 25.4 21.3 79.7
2015 486 24.0 20.2 61.1
2016 438 26.0 16.8 60
2017 588 30.5 19.2 99.8
2018 604 30.8 19.5 100
2019 601 31.8 18.8 82.5
2020 561 33.8 16.5 99.8
2021 427 27.8 15.3 99.3
2022 419 28.0 14.9 99.3
2023 409 29.0 14.1 100
2024 426 30.5 13.9 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ritter Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 450 21.8 20.6 n/a
1989 490 21.6 22.6 n/a
1990 471 31.2 15.0 0
1991 469 23.5 19.9 n/a
1992 460 22.4 20.5 n/a
1993 464 18.0 25.8 n/a
1994 470 18.0 26.1 n/a
1995 544 20.0 27.2 n/a
1996 544 20.0 27.2 n/a
1997 552 20.0 27.6 n/a
1998 444 20.0 22.2 n/a
1999 446 20.0 22.3 n/a
2000 452 22.0 20.5 50.4
2001 497 23.0 21.6 42.7
2002 492 27.1 18.2 45.5
2003 492 27.1 18.2 45.5
2004 514 26.8 19.2 38.1
2005 506 28.0 18.1 44.3
2006 519 25.6 20.3 61.1
2007 531 24.8 21.4 60.6
2008 563 24.8 22.7 67.3
2009 565 26.1 21.6 69.4
2010 590 26.3 22.4 69.8
2011 573 30.8 18.6 76.6
2012 530 12.4 42.4 72.5
2013 510 25.9 19.6 77.1
2014 543 25.4 21.3 79.7
2015 486 24.0 20.2 61.1
2016 438 26.0 16.8 60
2017 588 30.5 19.2 99.8
2018 604 30.8 19.5 100
2019 601 31.8 18.8 82.5
2020 561 33.8 16.5 99.8
2021 427 27.8 15.3 99.3
2022 419 28.0 14.9 99.3
2023 409 29.0 14.1 100
2024 426 30.5 13.9 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ritter Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $864 (7.2%) $11,102 (92.8%) $11,966
2020 $923 (7.0%) $12,189 (93.0%) $13,112
2021 $1,572 (10.2%) $13,889 (89.8%) $15,461
2022 $2,616 (16.7%) $13,066 (83.3%) $15,682

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ritter Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1186th of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 1220th of 1534 Elementary schools
 2.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Ritter Elementary School)32.326.5
 5.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ritter Elementary School)30.335.4
 5.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (Ritter Elementary School)28.117.2
 10.9%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (Ritter Elementary School)77.254.7
 22.5%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ritter Elementary School)54.425.8
 28.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (Ritter Elementary School)29.733.9
 4.2%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ritter Elementary School)46.938.2
 8.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (Ritter Elementary School)30.125.3
 4.8%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Ritter Elementary School)77.254.7
 22.5%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Ritter Elementary School)43.332.8
 10.5%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students601409
 31.9%
African American6544
 32.3%
American Indian01
Asian139
 30.8%
Hispanic397270
 32%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White11155
 50.5%
Two or More Races1430
 114.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients82.5%100%
 17.5%


Schools Near Ritter Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Ritter Elementary School

Students who attend Ritter Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Harrison-Morton Middle School
High : Louis E Dieruff High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 426 students attended Ritter Elementary School.

Ritter Elementary School ranks in the bottom 17.0% of Pennsylvania elementary schools.

Students at Ritter Elementary School are 69% Hispanic, 12% White, 10% African American, 8% Two or more races, 2% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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