The top reported proficiency rate is 86% in Science. The lowest is 65% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Irving El Sch
Irving Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Altoona, a mixed-use former railroad city where downtown is being revitalized through redevelopment while residential neighborhoods contain the mix of rowhouses and individual homes common to railroad-era worker housing. The school sits in a community with some economic challenges and recent investment activity alongside housing stock that is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks.
The enrollment is small, around the size typical for a full-spectrum elementary school in this grade band. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic composition of the neighborhoods Irving serves. The student population is predominantly white, with very small numbers of other racial and ethnic groups represented.
On state assessments, Irving's performance is mixed by subject. In math, students reached solid proficiency, placing the school well above the midpoint in proficiency across the county's districts. Science proficiency was notably strong. English language arts proficiency was noticeably lower and represents a softer spot in the school's academic profile; a parent may want to ask the school directly about reading instruction approaches and any targeted support for students who are not yet proficient.
The school is part of Altoona Area School District, which covers Altoona and surrounding areas. The district has navigated property tax increases in recent years, raising taxes multiple times between 2023 and 2024, though in 2025-26 the board adopted a flat tax rate after previously advertised increases. The district made a major capital investment with the opening of Altoona Area High School's new B Building in 2020, which added performing arts and visual arts facilities and modern science labs. For families considering the area, the cost of homeownership has been shaped by these tax moves, and housing values in the 16601 zip code are below state and national medians, making the market relatively affordable.
Altoona itself is in a phase of mixed economic transition. The city's population has declined significantly over decades, though recent community development activity has been strong, with building permits issued for residential projects leading in 2024. Downtown is being actively redeveloped with state and private funding, and the city recently emerged from fiscal distress status. Public transit through Amtran connects neighborhoods to downtown, Penn State Altoona, and other community anchors. The area has regional employers including UPMC Altoona and the Sheetz headquarters, as well as ongoing rail activity that ties to the region's historic identity.
Irving Elementary offers a traditional neighborhood elementary school experience in an economically challenged community where academic support and reading instruction are worth understanding in detail. The school's strength in math and science, combined with its location in an affordable housing market undergoing redevelopment, makes it a fit for families seeking elementary instruction in an older, walkable urban neighborhood with lower housing costs and reinvestment momentum.
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