St Thomas Elementary School

Summary:

St Thomas Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Saint Thomas, PA, serving grades K-5 with a total enrollment of 318 students. The school is part of the Tuscarora School District, which is ranked 334 out of 610 school districts in Pennsylvania and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite being part of the Tuscarora School District, St Thomas Elementary School has consistently underperformed compared to the district and the state of Pennsylvania in PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. For instance, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in Math (40.5%), Science (68.3%), and English Language Arts (43.9%) were all lower than the district and state averages. The school's performance is particularly concerning for certain student subgroups, such as White students and Disabled students, who have significantly lower proficiency rates than the state averages. Additionally, St Thomas Elementary School has seen a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 52.53% in 2020-2021 to 100% in 2022-2023, indicating a high concentration of economically disadvantaged students.

When comparing St Thomas Elementary School to other nearby schools within the Tuscarora School District, such as Mercersburg Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School, the performance gap becomes more evident. These schools consistently outperform St Thomas Elementary School in PSSA test scores and have higher SchoolDigger rankings. While the school faces significant challenges, there is an opportunity for St Thomas Elementary School to implement strategies and initiatives that can help improve academic outcomes, particularly for underperforming student subgroups.


Detail:

Public K-5

 70 School House Rd
       Saint Thomas, PA  17252-9646


(717) 369-3123

District: Tuscarora School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1029th of 1,526 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $5,942 Help


Students who attend St Thomas Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    James Buchanan Middle School
High:    James Buchanan High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.1 Help
Number of students:  295

Racial breakdown:

White:
86.1%
Hispanic:
7.8%
Two or more races:
3.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  62.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details St Thomas Elementary School ranks worse than 67.4% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks 3rd among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Tuscarora School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 38.11. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details St Thomas Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Tuscarora School District. Racial makeup is: White (86.1%), Hispanic (7.8%), two or more races (3.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 62.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Tuscarora School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at St Thomas Elementary School is 13.1. 2 elementary schools in the Tuscarora School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare St Thomas Elementary School employs 22.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at St Thomas Elementary School is $5,942, which is the 2nd highest among 4 elementary schools in the Tuscarora School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

St Thomas Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks St Thomas Elementary School 1029th of 1526 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See St Thomas 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:


Tuscarora School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Tuscarora School District 334th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for St Thomas Elementary School?

Rank History for St Thomas Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at St Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 54.44 687th 1302 47.2%
2004 60.87 592nd 1308 54.7%
2005 42.88 907th 1299 30.2%
2006 32.70 1240th 1545 19.7%
2007 21.02 1350th 1555 13.2%
2008 22.53 1328th 1551 14.4%
2009 28.80 1293rd 1549 16.5%
2010 28.58 1312th 1579 16.9%
2011 18.16 1415th 1597 11.4%
2012 33.97 1254th 1599 21.6%
2013 39.17 1121st 1519 26.2%
2014 39.29 1078th 1467 26.5%
2015 38.29 1022nd 1474 30.7%
2016 46.71 980th 1554 36.9%
2017 37.90 1096th 1547 29.2%
2018 45.37 1000th 1530 34.6%
2019 42.52 1034th 1544 33.0%
2021 20.59 1143rd 1433 20.2%
2022 37.96 1046th 1534 31.8%
2023 43.28 969th 1534 36.8%
2024 38.11 1029th 1526 32.6%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at St Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 46.85 824th 1414 41.7%
2024 40.98 935th 1432 34.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at St Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 39.25 983rd 1488 33.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at St Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 25.55 807th 1043 22.6%
2024 35.45 697th 1084 35.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at St Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 37.87 1018th 1495 31.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at St Thomas Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 24.53 1030th 1236 16.7%
2024 21.14 1055th 1229 14.2%
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.

St Thomas 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 St Thomas 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 403 5 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 408
1989 444 4 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 451
1990 460 7 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 470
1991 462 9 1 6 0 n/a n/a 0 478
1992 439 7 2 9 0 n/a n/a 0 457
1993 404 7 2 5 0 n/a n/a 0 418
1994 407 8 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 423
1995 448 6 4 8 3 n/a n/a 0 469
1996 448 6 4 8 3 n/a n/a 0 469
1997 421 8 3 8 3 n/a n/a 0 443
1998 421 14 3 7 3 n/a n/a 0 448
1999 434 9 2 6 2 n/a n/a 0 453
2000 397 9 2 9 2 n/a n/a 0 419
2001 361 15 0 6 1 n/a n/a 0 383
2002 350 8 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 366
2003 350 8 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 366
2004 372 6 1 9 0 n/a n/a 0 388
2005 385 6 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 397
2006 386 8 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 400
2007 376 6 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 390
2008 377 4 0 12 3 n/a n/a 0 396
2009 353 8 0 13 2 n/a n/a 0 376
2010 355 8 0 11 1 n/a n/a 3 378
2011 349 9 0 12 3 1 0 0 374
2012 275 2 1 14 3 0 2 0 297
2013 275 6 0 19 0 0 5 0 305
2014 270 2 0 20 1 0 10 0 303
2015 274 1 0 19 0 0 10 0 304
2016 257 5 1 26 1 0 10 0 300
2017 260 7 2 21 1 0 12 0 303
2018 273 6 3 20 1 0 11 0 314
2019 285 2 3 19 1 2 14 0 326
2020 297 2 1 13 1 2 11 0 327
2021 283 5 1 15 1 0 11 0 316
2022 258 5 0 23 0 0 11 0 297
2023 271 6 2 28 0 1 10 0 318
2024 254 8 0 23 0 1 9 0 295

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 St Thomas Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 408 21.3 19.1 n/a
1989 451 21.8 20.6 n/a
1990 470 21.8 21.5 0
1991 478 24.6 19.4 n/a
1992 457 20.0 22.8 n/a
1993 418 22.5 18.6 n/a
1994 423 21.5 19.7 n/a
1995 469 22.5 20.8 n/a
1996 469 22.5 20.8 n/a
1997 443 22.0 20.1 n/a
1998 448 22.5 19.9 n/a
1999 453 22.0 20.6 n/a
2000 419 23.0 18.2 38.9
2001 383 23.0 16.7 29.5
2002 366 22.1 16.6 30.9
2003 366 22.1 16.6 30.9
2004 388 22.1 17.6 31.4
2005 397 21.1 18.8 28.5
2006 400 22.0 18.2 31.3
2007 390 24.0 16.3 35.4
2008 396 24.0 16.5 35.9
2009 376 23.8 15.8 41.5
2010 378 22.7 16.6 48
2011 374 22.3 16.7 47.6
2012 297 19.2 15.4 46.5
2013 305 19.2 15.8 47.2
2014 303 19.4 15.6 42.6
2015 304 19.0 16.0 42.1
2016 300 20.0 15.0 52.7
2017 303 20.0 15.1 52.1
2018 314 21.1 14.8 51.3
2019 326 21.1 15.4 51.2
2020 327 21.6 15.1 50.2
2021 316 21.6 14.6 52.5
2022 297 21.2 14.0 59.9
2023 318 21.7 14.6 100
2024 295 22.3 13.1 62.7

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 St Thomas Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 408 21.3 19.1 n/a
1989 451 21.8 20.6 n/a
1990 470 21.8 21.5 0
1991 478 24.6 19.4 n/a
1992 457 20.0 22.8 n/a
1993 418 22.5 18.6 n/a
1994 423 21.5 19.7 n/a
1995 469 22.5 20.8 n/a
1996 469 22.5 20.8 n/a
1997 443 22.0 20.1 n/a
1998 448 22.5 19.9 n/a
1999 453 22.0 20.6 n/a
2000 419 23.0 18.2 38.9
2001 383 23.0 16.7 29.5
2002 366 22.1 16.6 30.9
2003 366 22.1 16.6 30.9
2004 388 22.1 17.6 31.4
2005 397 21.1 18.8 28.5
2006 400 22.0 18.2 31.3
2007 390 24.0 16.3 35.4
2008 396 24.0 16.5 35.9
2009 376 23.8 15.8 41.5
2010 378 22.7 16.6 48
2011 374 22.3 16.7 47.6
2012 297 19.2 15.4 46.5
2013 305 19.2 15.8 47.2
2014 303 19.4 15.6 42.6
2015 304 19.0 16.0 42.1
2016 300 20.0 15.0 52.7
2017 303 20.0 15.1 52.1
2018 314 21.1 14.8 51.3
2019 326 21.1 15.4 51.2
2020 327 21.6 15.1 50.2
2021 316 21.6 14.6 52.5
2022 297 21.2 14.0 59.9
2023 318 21.7 14.6 100
2024 295 22.3 13.1 62.7

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 St Thomas Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $856 (6.3%) $12,770 (93.7%) $13,627
2020 $953 (7.5%) $11,697 (92.5%) $12,650
2021 $1,440 (11.0%) $11,659 (89.0%) $13,099
2022 $995 (16.7%) $4,948 (83.3%) $5,942

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

Impact of COVID-19 on St Thomas 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 1034th of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 969th of 1534 Elementary schools
 3.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (St Thomas Elementary School)43.134.9
 8.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (St Thomas Elementary School)56.938.6
 18.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (St Thomas Elementary School)44.950
 5.1%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (St Thomas Elementary School)83.678.3
 5.3%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (St Thomas Elementary School)53.155.3
 2.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (St Thomas Elementary School)34.833.9
 0.9%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (St Thomas Elementary School)56.544.6
 11.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (St Thomas Elementary School)41.239
 2.2%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (St Thomas Elementary School)83.678.3
 5.3%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (St Thomas Elementary School)55.546.2
 9.3%
   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 Students326318
 2.5%
African American26
 200%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian32
 33.3%
Hispanic1928
 47.4%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White285271
 4.9%
Two or More Races1410
 28.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients51.2%100%
 48.8%


Schools Near St Thomas Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about St Thomas Elementary School

St Thomas Elementary School ranks 1029th of 1526 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 295 students attended St Thomas Elementary School.

Students at St Thomas Elementary School are 86% White, 8% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 3% African American.

Students who attend St Thomas Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : James Buchanan Middle School
High : James Buchanan 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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