Best Public Schools in Zip Code 16502

The 16502 zip code area of Erie, Pennsylvania is home to two public schools - Strong Vincent Middle School and Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School. These schools serve a predominantly low-income and minority student population, with both institutions struggling to meet academic standards and provide quality education.

Strong Vincent Middle School, a public middle school serving grades 6-8, has a diverse student body but significantly underperforms on standardized tests, with only 16.8% of students proficient in Math compared to the state average of 39.3%. The school has a low 1-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranks in the bottom 25% of Pennsylvania middle schools. In contrast, Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School, a public charter elementary school serving grades K-8, has an even lower 0-star rating and ranks in the bottom 10% of Pennsylvania elementary schools, with only 7.2% of students proficient in Math.

Both schools serve high-poverty student populations, with Strong Vincent Middle School having a 100% free/reduced lunch rate and Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School at 68.15%. This socioeconomic factor likely contributes to the schools' academic challenges, and the significant disparities in per-student spending between the two institutions ($16,073 vs. $9,874) raise concerns about the equitable distribution of resources. Addressing these issues will be crucial in improving educational opportunities and outcomes for the students in the 16502 zip code area, which is served by the Erie City School District and the Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School.