Central Elementary School

Summary:

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school located in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, serving 440 students in grades K-4. The school is part of the South Williamsport Area School District, which is ranked 358 out of 610 districts in the state.

Central Elementary School consistently outperforms the district and state in academic performance. In the 2023-2024 school year, 65.4% of students were proficient or better in PSSA Math, compared to 39.1% for the district and 40.4% for the state. The school also excels in PSSA Science, with 80.7% of students proficient or better, significantly higher than the district's 70% and the state's 65.8%. Additionally, 62.3% of students were proficient or better in PSSA English Language Arts, compared to 55.9% for the district and 53% for the state. The school's performance is particularly noteworthy for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ranking 319 out of 1,432 Pennsylvania elementary schools in this category with a 4-star rating.

Despite the school's overall academic success, there is an area of concern. Central Elementary School struggles with the performance of disabled students, ranking 838 out of 1,084 Pennsylvania elementary schools in this category for 2023-2024, with a 1-star rating. The school's low per-student spending of $30 for the 2021-2022 and 2020-2021 school years, compared to the state average, and its slightly higher student-teacher ratio of around 14:1 may be contributing factors to its strong academic performance and efficient resource utilization.


Detail:

Public K-4

 555 W Mountain Ave
       South Williamsport, PA  17702-7507


(570) 323-3694

District: South Williamsport Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
521st of 1,526 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $30 Help


Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Rommelt Elementary School
High:    South Williamsport Area Junior/Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.7 Help
Number of students:  440

Racial breakdown:

White:
90.0%
Two or more races:
3.6%
Hispanic:
3.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  50.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Central Elementary School ranks better than 65.9% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 68.68. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90%), two or more races (3.6%), Hispanic (3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 50.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 14.7. (See more...)
Help
Compare Central Elementary School employs 29.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Elementary School is $30.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Central Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Central Elementary School 521st of 1526 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See Central 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:
White students:


South Williamsport Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks South Williamsport Area School District 358th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Central Elementary School?

Rank History for Central Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 69.59 485th 1545 68.6%
2007 68.18 535th 1555 65.6%
2008 66.25 586th 1551 62.2%
2009 73.64 373rd 1549 75.9%
2010 77.60 269th 1579 83.0%
2011 69.41 518th 1597 67.6%
2012 64.83 699th 1599 56.3%
2013 68.83 540th 1519 64.5%
2014 68.09 542nd 1467 63.1%
2015 83.04 201st 1474 86.4%
2016 80.91 262nd 1554 83.1%
2017 69.01 528th 1547 65.9%
2018 57.78 775th 1530 49.3%
2019 57.63 783rd 1544 49.3%
2021 39.02 983rd 1433 31.4%
2022 49.84 898th 1534 41.5%
2023 59.24 716th 1534 53.3%
2024 68.68 521st 1526 65.9%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 59.94 588th 1414 58.4%
2024 73.78 319th 1432 77.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 67.54 519th 1488 65.1%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 35.53 676th 1043 35.2%
2024 24.98 838th 1084 22.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 67.56 503rd 1495 66.4%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 39.40 824th 1236 33.3%
2024 48.75 674th 1229 45.2%
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.

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





Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Open Quote Do not send your children here if they have an IEP, a 504, or any kind of a disability. The assistant superintendant has no idea what he's doing, and the PA Department of Education has now placed the school district under the Warning category, as its scores are faltering, especially in the area of IEP/Special Education. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Central Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 476 0 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 477
1989 504 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 505
1990 504 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 504
1991 510 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 513
1992 433 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 436
1993 438 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1994 453 1 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 456
1995 427 5 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1996 427 5 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1997 419 5 4 5 0 n/a n/a 0 433
1998 402 9 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 416
1999 391 3 4 4 2 n/a n/a 0 404
2000 411 4 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 421
2001 421 4 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 431
2002 507 11 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 520
2003 507 11 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 520
2004 474 8 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 484
2005 455 4 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 465
2006 456 10 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 473
2007 472 12 5 4 0 n/a n/a 0 493
2008 441 9 4 3 1 n/a n/a 4 462
2009 461 12 6 2 2 n/a n/a 3 486
2010 482 15 7 0 0 n/a n/a 0 504
2011 455 14 5 5 1 0 0 0 480
2012 475 15 6 5 0 0 1 0 502
2013 482 14 9 4 1 0 2 0 512
2014 475 19 11 5 0 0 2 0 512
2015 442 17 7 11 0 1 5 0 483
2016 455 16 8 8 0 1 11 0 499
2017 434 13 6 6 0 1 13 0 473
2018 426 9 3 4 0 1 19 0 462
2019 426 10 4 6 0 0 32 0 478
2020 433 9 1 8 0 0 33 0 484
2021 393 12 2 8 0 0 28 0 443
2022 405 9 4 14 0 0 25 0 457
2023 396 11 4 13 0 0 16 0 440

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 Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 477 24.0 19.8 n/a
1989 505 27.1 18.6 n/a
1990 504 27.1 18.5 0
1991 513 27.1 18.9 n/a
1992 436 24.5 17.7 n/a
1993 439 23.8 18.4 n/a
1994 456 24.8 18.4 n/a
1995 439 23.0 19.1 n/a
1996 439 23.0 19.1 n/a
1997 433 24.0 18.0 n/a
1998 416 25.0 16.6 n/a
1999 404 25.0 16.2 n/a
2000 421 27.0 15.6 29.2
2001 431 26.0 16.6 29.5
2002 520 28.0 18.6 23.5
2003 520 28.0 18.6 23.5
2004 484 27.5 17.6 27.3
2005 465 30.1 15.4 26.2
2006 473 31.1 15.2 36.2
2007 493 31.0 15.9 35.3
2008 462 32.0 14.4 39.7
2009 486 32.0 15.2 37.5
2010 504 33.5 15.0 37.7
2011 480 32.5 14.7 32.5
2012 502 30.5 16.4 37.1
2013 512 28.5 17.9 33.4
2014 512 30.3 16.8 35.7
2015 483 30.0 16.1 39.1
2016 499 30.0 16.6 41.3
2017 473 31.5 15.0 47.8
2018 462 30.5 15.1 47.6
2019 478 30.0 15.9 46
2020 484 29.7 16.2 54.1
2021 443 30.2 14.6 48.3
2022 457 32.0 14.2 51
2023 440 29.7 14.7 50.7

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 Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 477 24.0 19.8 n/a
1989 505 27.1 18.6 n/a
1990 504 27.1 18.5 0
1991 513 27.1 18.9 n/a
1992 436 24.5 17.7 n/a
1993 439 23.8 18.4 n/a
1994 456 24.8 18.4 n/a
1995 439 23.0 19.1 n/a
1996 439 23.0 19.1 n/a
1997 433 24.0 18.0 n/a
1998 416 25.0 16.6 n/a
1999 404 25.0 16.2 n/a
2000 421 27.0 15.6 29.2
2001 431 26.0 16.6 29.5
2002 520 28.0 18.6 23.5
2003 520 28.0 18.6 23.5
2004 484 27.5 17.6 27.3
2005 465 30.1 15.4 26.2
2006 473 31.1 15.2 36.2
2007 493 31.0 15.9 35.3
2008 462 32.0 14.4 39.7
2009 486 32.0 15.2 37.5
2010 504 33.5 15.0 37.7
2011 480 32.5 14.7 32.5
2012 502 30.5 16.4 37.1
2013 512 28.5 17.9 33.4
2014 512 30.3 16.8 35.7
2015 483 30.0 16.1 39.1
2016 499 30.0 16.6 41.3
2017 473 31.5 15.0 47.8
2018 462 30.5 15.1 47.6
2019 478 30.0 15.9 46
2020 484 29.7 16.2 54.1
2021 443 30.2 14.6 48.3
2022 457 32.0 14.2 51
2023 440 29.7 14.7 50.7

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 Central Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $02 (8.3%) $22 (91.7%) $24
2020 $02 (8.3%) $22 (91.7%) $24
2021 $03 (10.0%) $27 (90.0%) $30
2022 $04 (13.3%) $26 (86.7%) $30

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Central 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 783rd of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 716th of 1534 Elementary schools
 4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Central Elementary School)52.157.6
 5.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)65.754.3
 11.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (Central Elementary School)59.451.7
 7.7%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (Central Elementary School)82.378.2
 4.1%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)65.656.3
 9.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
All Grades Math (Central Elementary School)55.754.8
 0.9%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Central Elementary School)82.378.2
 4.1%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)65.655.3
 10.3%
   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 Students478440
 7.9%
African American1011
 10%
American Indian00
Asian44
Hispanic613
 116.7%
Pacific Islander00
White426396
 7%
Two or More Races3216
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients46%50.7%
 4.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary School

Students at Central Elementary School are 90% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 3% African American.

Central Elementary School ranks 521st of 1526 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 440 students attended Central Elementary 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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