The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Science. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Farrell Area Es/lms
Farrell Area ES/LMS is a Pre-K through grade 6 elementary school serving approximately 400 students in Farrell, a small former steel-mill city in western Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The school sits on Roemer Boulevard as the primary anchor of civic life in a community that has stabilized after decades of industrial and population decline. Recent district changes include the school's 2024 rename to Russell C. Phillips Elementary School and the establishment of a district-run Pre-K program, the "Little Steelers," offering free early childhood education to eligible residents.
The student population is economically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse. All students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is predominantly Black, with substantial shares of multiracial and white students, and a small Hispanic population. Kindergarten through grade 6 serve roughly equal cohorts, while Pre-K is smaller, reflecting typical early-childhood enrollment. Special education enrollment data was not available, nor was the count of English learners.
Academic performance in grades 3 through 6 is substantially below state expectations. In math, fewer than one in ten students scored at proficiency. English language arts results mirror this, with proficiency again well below 10 percent. Science showed a different pattern: on the most recent assessment available, roughly half the students tested met proficiency. The disparity between science and the other tested subjects is notable and a parent may want to explore further with the school to understand what context surrounds that science result. Across the tested subjects and grades for which data exists, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other school buildings in Mercer County.
The school is situated in a community experiencing modest economic recovery. Farrell's median housing value has declined modestly year-over-year but remains affordable relative to national benchmarks. The city emerged from Pennsylvania Act 47 financially distressed status recently and is reinvesting through industrial upgrades and new housing starts. The school's civic role is substantial: the public library, school, and steel mill all anchor activity along Roemer Boulevard. Family income and employment in the area remain tied to metals processing and healthcare through UPMC Horizon hospital.
The district raised property taxes for the first time in several years in 2022-23, a change that affects every homeowner. The dress code adoption in recent years is another household consideration. Staffing levels, attendance data, chronic absenteeism rates, and discipline data were not available. No information was provided about course breadth, specialized programs, or extracurricular offerings. A parent should discuss these specifics directly with the school to understand the full picture of what the building offers beyond core academics.
See more original research from School Decision →