Laurel Valley Elementary School

Summary:

Laurel Valley Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 235 students in grades PK-5 in the Ligonier Valley School District in New Florence, PA. Despite relatively high per-student spending, the school has consistently struggled academically, ranking in the bottom half of Pennsylvania elementary schools.

Laurel Valley Elementary stands out for its significantly higher percentage of white students (91.49%) compared to the state average and nearby schools like Greater Johnstown Elementary (28.68% white). Academically, the school lags behind, with proficiency rates below state and district averages in PSSA Math, Science, and English Language Arts tests. For example, in 2022-2023, only 28.1% of Laurel Valley students were proficient or better in PSSA Math, compared to 39.3% statewide. Additionally, Laurel Valley has an extremely high percentage of students (100%) qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty student population, much higher than the state average and nearby schools like Conemaugh Township Area Elementary (48.84% free/reduced lunch).

Despite the high per-student spending of $23,730 in 2021-2022, Laurel Valley's academic performance has steadily declined, with its statewide ranking dropping from 590 out of 1,519 PA elementary schools in 2012-2013 to 888 out of 1,534 in 2022-2023. Nearby schools like Westmont Hilltop Elementary and Conemaugh Township Area Elementary have significantly higher academic proficiency rates and statewide rankings, despite serving student populations with similar socioeconomic backgrounds, suggesting that Laurel Valley may have room for improvement by learning from the practices of higher-performing nearby schools.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 137 Education Lane
       New Florence, PA  15944


(724) 235-2723

District: Ligonier Valley School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
888th of 1,534 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $23,730 Help


Students who attend Laurel Valley Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Ligonier Valley Middle School
High:    Ligonier Valley High School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.3 Help
Number of students:  235

Racial breakdown:

White:
91.5%
Two or more races:
5.1%
Hispanic:
2.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Laurel Valley Elementary School ranks worse than 57.9% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 49.07. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (91.5%), two or more races (5.1%), Hispanic (2.1%). (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 Laurel Valley Elementary School is 11.3. (See more...)
Help
Compare Laurel Valley Elementary School employs 20.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Laurel Valley Elementary School is $23,730.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Laurel Valley Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Laurel Valley Elementary School 888th of 1534 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See Laurel Valley Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
White students:


Ligonier Valley School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Ligonier Valley School District 279th of 606 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Laurel Valley Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Laurel Valley Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 41.29 876th 1302 32.7%
2004 46.83 834th 1308 36.2%
2005 51.92 772nd 1299 40.6%
2006 50.46 958th 1545 38.0%
2007 53.63 893rd 1555 42.6%
2008 59.05 764th 1551 50.7%
2009 63.10 663rd 1549 57.2%
2010 58.86 812th 1579 48.6%
2011 55.00 908th 1597 43.1%
2012 59.88 830th 1599 48.1%
2013 67.18 590th 1519 61.2%
2014 47.77 975th 1467 33.5%
2015 42.95 970th 1474 34.2%
2016 40.27 1071st 1554 31.1%
2017 46.65 973rd 1547 37.1%
2018 28.77 1166th 1530 23.8%
2019 23.97 1213th 1544 21.4%
2021 42.12 939th 1433 34.5%
2022 48.99 910th 1534 40.7%
2023 49.07 888th 1534 42.1%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Laurel Valley Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 54.30 711th 1414 49.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for White students at Laurel Valley Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 33.78 895th 1236 27.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for White 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.

Laurel Valley 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 Laurel Valley 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 395 0 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 397
1989 371 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 373
1990 531 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 534
1991 513 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 516
1992 367 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 370
1993 353 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 354
1994 492 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 492
1995 474 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 477
1996 474 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 477
1997 481 3 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 486
1998 443 3 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 449
1999 311 3 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 315
2000 313 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 315
2001 430 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 433
2002 404 5 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 410
2003 404 5 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 410
2004 391 4 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 398
2005 385 4 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 392
2006 388 5 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 395
2007 389 5 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 395
2008 390 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 393
2009 368 1 3 0 0 n/a n/a 3 375
2010 353 0 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 356
2012 236 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 240
2013 224 1 0 1 0 0 5 0 231
2014 211 1 0 1 0 0 5 0 218
2015 250 2 0 1 0 0 4 0 257
2016 254 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 259
2017 274 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 277
2018 258 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 264
2019 250 6 0 1 0 0 4 0 261
2020 239 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 246
2021 203 3 0 4 0 0 3 0 213
2022 204 5 1 8 0 0 5 0 223
2023 215 3 0 5 0 0 12 0 235

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 Laurel Valley Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 397 19.8 20.0 n/a
1989 373 16.7 22.3 n/a
1990 534 23.5 22.7 0
1991 516 25.0 20.6 n/a
1992 370 22.0 16.8 n/a
1993 354 24.0 14.8 n/a
1994 492 24.0 20.5 n/a
1995 477 24.0 19.9 n/a
1996 477 24.0 19.9 n/a
1997 486 24.0 20.3 n/a
1998 449 23.0 19.5 n/a
1999 315 20.0 15.8 n/a
2000 315 20.0 15.8 51.7
2001 433 24.0 18.0 46
2002 410 22.4 18.3 44.4
2003 410 22.4 18.3 44.4
2004 398 21.3 18.7 46.5
2005 392 24.1 16.3 46.4
2006 395 28.1 14.1 43
2007 395 28.0 14.1 44.6
2008 393 23.2 16.9 43.5
2009 375 22.8 16.4 48.4
2010 356 21.8 16.3 50.8
2012 240 19.6 12.2 55
2013 231 20.5 11.2 52.8
2014 218 18.5 11.7 52.3
2015 257 20.0 12.8 58.4
2016 259 21.0 12.3 61.8
2017 277 21.4 12.9 61.7
2018 264 21.5 12.2 60.6
2019 261 21.5 12.1 53.6
2020 246 20.6 11.9 58.5
2021 213 18.9 11.2 98.6
2022 223 19.6 11.3 98.7
2023 235 20.6 11.3 100

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 Laurel Valley Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 397 19.8 20.0 n/a
1989 373 16.7 22.3 n/a
1990 534 23.5 22.7 0
1991 516 25.0 20.6 n/a
1992 370 22.0 16.8 n/a
1993 354 24.0 14.8 n/a
1994 492 24.0 20.5 n/a
1995 477 24.0 19.9 n/a
1996 477 24.0 19.9 n/a
1997 486 24.0 20.3 n/a
1998 449 23.0 19.5 n/a
1999 315 20.0 15.8 n/a
2000 315 20.0 15.8 51.7
2001 433 24.0 18.0 46
2002 410 22.4 18.3 44.4
2003 410 22.4 18.3 44.4
2004 398 21.3 18.7 46.5
2005 392 24.1 16.3 46.4
2006 395 28.1 14.1 43
2007 395 28.0 14.1 44.6
2008 393 23.2 16.9 43.5
2009 375 22.8 16.4 48.4
2010 356 21.8 16.3 50.8
2012 240 19.6 12.2 55
2013 231 20.5 11.2 52.8
2014 218 18.5 11.7 52.3
2015 257 20.0 12.8 58.4
2016 259 21.0 12.3 61.8
2017 277 21.4 12.9 61.7
2018 264 21.5 12.2 60.6
2019 261 21.5 12.1 53.6
2020 246 20.6 11.9 58.5
2021 213 18.9 11.2 98.6
2022 223 19.6 11.3 98.7
2023 235 20.6 11.3 100

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 Laurel Valley Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,144 (6.2%) $17,161 (93.8%) $18,305
2020 $1,435 (7.7%) $17,268 (92.3%) $18,702
2021 $2,423 (10.3%) $21,074 (89.7%) $23,497
2022 $4,263 (18.0%) $19,467 (82.0%) $23,730

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Laurel Valley 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 1213th of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 888th of 1534 Elementary schools
 20.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Laurel Valley Elementary School)27.243.4
 16.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Valley Elementary School)45.463.4
 18%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (Laurel Valley Elementary School)31.220
 11.2%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (Laurel Valley Elementary School)68.886.6
 17.8%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Valley Elementary School)5070
 20%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (Laurel Valley Elementary School)17.120.6
 3.5%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Valley Elementary School)42.948.2
 5.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (Laurel Valley Elementary School)25.728.1
 2.4%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Laurel Valley Elementary School)68.886.6
 17.8%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Laurel Valley Elementary School)46.660.7
 14.1%
   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 Students261235
 10%
African American63
 50%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic15
 400%
Pacific Islander00
White250215
 14%
Two or More Races412
 200%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients53.6%100%
 46.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Laurel Valley Elementary School

Laurel Valley Elementary School ranks 888th of 1534 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 235 students attended Laurel Valley Elementary School.

Students at Laurel Valley Elementary School are 91% White, 5% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic, 1% African American.

Students who attend Laurel Valley Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Ligonier Valley Middle School
High : Ligonier Valley High School


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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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