McDonald Elementary School

Summary:

McDonald Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Warminster, Pennsylvania, serving 814 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Centennial School District, which is ranked 351 out of 610 school districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite the school's relatively high per-student spending of around $20,000 and a low student-teacher ratio of 14:1, McDonald Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom half of Pennsylvania elementary schools, typically between 900-1100 out of around 1,500 schools. The school's performance on PSSA tests is generally below the state and district averages across all grades and subjects, with particularly weak results in 4th and 5th grade Math. This is concerning, as the school has a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (51.6% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch) and a diverse student population, including significant percentages of African American, Hispanic, and English Language Learner students.

Compared to nearby schools, McDonald Elementary performs similarly to Willow Dale Elementary, another 2-star school in the Centennial School District. However, the nearby Davis Elementary performs significantly better, with a 3-star rating. When looking at high-performing schools in other districts, such as Richboro Elementary (Council Rock School District) and Pine Road Elementary (Lower Moreland Township School District), both 4-5 star schools, the gap in performance becomes even more apparent.


Detail:

Public K-5

 666 Reeves Ln
       Warminster, PA  18974-3025


(215) 441-6157

District: Centennial School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
976th of 1,526 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,597 Help


Students who attend McDonald Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Klinger Middle School
    Log College Middle School
High:    William Tennent High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.1 Help
Number of students:  808

Racial breakdown:

White:
62.0%
Hispanic:
21.5%
Asian:
6.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  58.2% Help


 See top rated Pennsylvania elementary schools

 Compare McDonald Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details McDonald Elementary School ranks worse than 64% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Centennial School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 43.03. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details McDonald Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Centennial School District. Racial makeup is: White (62%), Hispanic (21.5%), Asian (6.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 58.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Centennial School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at McDonald Elementary School is 14.1. 1 elementary schools in the Centennial School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare McDonald Elementary School employs 57 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at McDonald Elementary School is $20,597. 1 elementary schools in the Centennial School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

McDonald Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks McDonald Elementary School 976th of 1526 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See McDonald Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Centennial School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Centennial School District 351st of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for McDonald Elementary School?

Rank History for McDonald Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 66.79 494th 1302 62.1%
2004 56.98 675th 1308 48.4%
2005 45.55 882nd 1299 32.1%
2006 71.32 444th 1545 71.3%
2007 67.36 554th 1555 64.4%
2008 67.50 555th 1551 64.2%
2009 61.78 704th 1549 54.6%
2010 61.22 748th 1579 52.6%
2011 59.16 809th 1597 49.3%
2012 58.18 875th 1599 45.3%
2013 57.77 824th 1519 45.8%
2014 53.01 875th 1467 40.4%
2015 42.46 978th 1474 33.6%
2016 42.84 1042nd 1554 32.9%
2017 43.63 1020th 1547 34.1%
2018 38.18 1080th 1530 29.4%
2019 41.59 1050th 1544 32.0%
2021 39.12 980th 1433 31.6%
2022 42.78 997th 1534 35.0%
2023 47.02 921st 1534 40.0%
2024 43.03 976th 1526 36.0%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 52.82 75th 196 61.7%
2024 67.76 42nd 200 79.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 51.10 759th 1414 46.3%
2024 49.40 799th 1432 44.2%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 40.76 971st 1488 34.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 47.24 500th 1043 52.1%
2024 44.64 566th 1084 47.8%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 44.22 937th 1495 37.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 45.35 205th 437 53.1%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 65.90 121st 432 72.0%
2024 70.59 108th 454 76.2%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at McDonald Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 38.27 837th 1236 32.3%
2024 25.10 1019th 1229 17.1%
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.

McDonald 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: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, January 10, 2020

Open Quote Great staff and amazing principal! Both of my children are currently attending and loving it. My son had some issues with reading and the extra time teachers spent with him really made a difference. I think that have a great plan in place to help students in need and others to excel Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, November 10, 2016

Open Quote This is a great school with caring teachers who do everything they can to ensure the success of all students! Thank you for all you do everyday McDonald Teachers! Close Quote



Enrollment information for McDonald 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 571 43 16 9 0 n/a n/a 0 639
1989 678 40 19 11 3 n/a n/a 0 751
1990 708 47 20 11 3 n/a n/a 0 789
1991 626 47 17 14 2 n/a n/a 0 706
1992 619 55 19 15 2 n/a n/a 0 710
1993 633 55 22 32 1 n/a n/a 0 743
1994 595 65 23 39 1 n/a n/a 0 723
1995 609 58 31 37 0 n/a n/a 0 735
1996 609 58 31 37 0 n/a n/a 0 735
1997 590 55 26 37 0 n/a n/a 0 708
1998 574 66 22 39 0 n/a n/a 0 701
1999 551 62 23 45 0 n/a n/a 0 681
2000 533 77 23 40 0 n/a n/a 0 673
2001 517 89 26 53 0 n/a n/a 0 685
2002 470 45 34 82 2 n/a n/a 0 633
2003 470 45 34 82 2 n/a n/a 0 633
2004 463 42 29 95 5 n/a n/a 0 634
2005 452 40 32 109 3 n/a n/a 0 636
2006 456 29 25 107 0 n/a n/a 0 617
2007 446 39 16 134 0 n/a n/a 0 635
2008 447 45 15 146 0 n/a n/a 3 656
2009 453 41 13 137 0 n/a n/a 13 657
2010 445 37 9 163 0 n/a n/a 18 672
2011 677 40 17 175 1 0 21 0 931
2012 613 37 13 193 1 0 19 0 876
2013 627 37 25 185 0 1 18 0 893
2014 582 33 28 202 0 1 22 0 868
2015 566 38 35 220 0 1 28 0 888
2016 513 43 33 238 0 1 26 0 854
2017 484 39 26 226 1 1 23 0 800
2018 460 54 25 236 1 2 28 0 806
2019 452 56 23 235 3 2 32 0 803
2020 489 49 19 232 2 2 37 0 830
2021 481 47 24 194 2 2 35 0 785
2022 474 54 34 189 1 1 39 0 792
2023 509 47 43 171 0 1 43 0 814
2024 501 37 54 174 0 1 41 0 808

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 McDonald Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 639 43.0 14.8 n/a
1989 751 38.0 19.7 n/a
1990 789 37.0 21.3 0
1991 706 37.0 19.0 n/a
1992 710 34.0 20.8 n/a
1993 743 36.0 20.6 n/a
1994 723 39.0 18.5 n/a
1995 735 40.5 18.1 n/a
1996 735 40.5 18.1 n/a
1997 708 38.5 18.4 n/a
1998 701 36.0 19.5 n/a
1999 681 36.5 18.7 n/a
2000 673 39.8 16.9 23.8
2001 685 39.5 17.3 21.2
2002 633 40.0 15.8 22.4
2003 633 40.0 15.8 22.4
2004 634 40.5 15.7 24.3
2005 636 41.0 15.5 22.3
2006 617 40.5 15.2 30.8
2007 635 37.5 16.9 32
2008 656 41.7 15.7 33.2
2009 657 43.5 15.1 38.4
2010 672 44.5 15.0 45.7
2011 931 61.0 15.2 37.1
2012 876 53.3 16.4 40.4
2013 893 53.5 16.6 40.3
2014 868 51.3 16.9 44.9
2015 888 52.0 17.0 49.2
2016 854 56.0 15.2 50.9
2017 800 54.0 14.8 53.5
2018 806 54.8 14.6 54
2019 803 56.8 14.1 54.8
2020 830 57.0 14.5 55.2
2021 785 55.0 14.2 52.4
2022 792 59.0 13.4 47.7
2023 814 56.0 14.5 51.6
2024 808 57.0 14.1 58.2

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 McDonald Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 639 43.0 14.8 n/a
1989 751 38.0 19.7 n/a
1990 789 37.0 21.3 0
1991 706 37.0 19.0 n/a
1992 710 34.0 20.8 n/a
1993 743 36.0 20.6 n/a
1994 723 39.0 18.5 n/a
1995 735 40.5 18.1 n/a
1996 735 40.5 18.1 n/a
1997 708 38.5 18.4 n/a
1998 701 36.0 19.5 n/a
1999 681 36.5 18.7 n/a
2000 673 39.8 16.9 23.8
2001 685 39.5 17.3 21.2
2002 633 40.0 15.8 22.4
2003 633 40.0 15.8 22.4
2004 634 40.5 15.7 24.3
2005 636 41.0 15.5 22.3
2006 617 40.5 15.2 30.8
2007 635 37.5 16.9 32
2008 656 41.7 15.7 33.2
2009 657 43.5 15.1 38.4
2010 672 44.5 15.0 45.7
2011 931 61.0 15.2 37.1
2012 876 53.3 16.4 40.4
2013 893 53.5 16.6 40.3
2014 868 51.3 16.9 44.9
2015 888 52.0 17.0 49.2
2016 854 56.0 15.2 50.9
2017 800 54.0 14.8 53.5
2018 806 54.8 14.6 54
2019 803 56.8 14.1 54.8
2020 830 57.0 14.5 55.2
2021 785 55.0 14.2 52.4
2022 792 59.0 13.4 47.7
2023 814 56.0 14.5 51.6
2024 808 57.0 14.1 58.2

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 McDonald Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $475 (2.7%) $16,982 (97.3%) $17,457
2020 $335 (1.9%) $17,106 (98.1%) $17,441
2021 $651 (3.4%) $18,591 (96.6%) $19,242
2022 $1,001 (4.9%) $19,596 (95.1%) $20,597

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

Impact of COVID-19 on McDonald 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 1050th of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 921st of 1534 Elementary schools
 8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (McDonald Elementary School)5946
 13%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (McDonald Elementary School)6351.5
 11.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (McDonald Elementary School)32.932.2
 0.7%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (McDonald Elementary School)68.669.8
 1.2%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (McDonald Elementary School)56.647
 9.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (McDonald Elementary School)35.940.7
 4.8%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (McDonald Elementary School)54.761.8
 7.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (McDonald Elementary School)42.240
 2.2%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (McDonald Elementary School)68.669.8
 1.2%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (McDonald Elementary School)5853.8
 4.2%
   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 Students803814
 1.4%
African American5647
 16.1%
American Indian30
 100%
Asian2343
 87%
Hispanic235171
 27.2%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White452509
 12.6%
Two or More Races3243
 34.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients54.8%51.6%
 3.2%


Schools Near McDonald Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about McDonald Elementary School

McDonald Elementary School ranks 976th of 1526 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at McDonald Elementary School are 62% White, 22% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 5% Two or more races, 5% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 808 students attended McDonald Elementary School.

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

Middle : Klinger Middle School
Middle : Log College Middle School
High : William Tennent 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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