The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Science. The lowest is 41% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Clark El Sch
Clark Elementary School is a small public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Uniontown, the county seat of Fayette County in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located at 200 Water Street, it enrolls students from the city and surrounding areas within the Laurel Highlands School District.
The school has about typical elementary enrollment for its size. Just over half the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a student body drawn from families with modest household incomes. The school is predominantly white, with smaller numbers of students across other racial and ethnic groups. Data on special education and English learner enrollment was not available.
On state assessments administered to grades 3-8, Clark's proficiency rates present a mixed picture. In English language arts, roughly four in ten students scored at proficient or above levels in the latest year. Math proficiency was somewhat lower, with roughly two in five students meeting the state standard. Science performance stands notably higher, with roughly three in four students showing proficiency on the most recent assessment. Across all tested subjects, Clark's overall proficiency position places it in the top tier among the school districts in Fayette County, meaning it outperforms the median district in the county on this measure.
These results suggest strength in science instruction but highlight areas where reading and math competency need attention. Parents may want to ask the school directly about the approaches being used in literacy and numeracy, what support systems exist for students not yet meeting proficiency, and what trends look like over time. The school's position at the county level is relative to other districts, not absolute; a parent weighing options should consider what acceleration or intervention programs exist for their own child.
Uniontown itself is a historic small city, roughly 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, with a walkable downtown anchored by the Fayette County Courthouse and courthouse square. The community was once a coal and coke boom town; its population has declined since its peak but stabilized as a regional trade and service hub. Housing values in the Uniontown zip code are below state and national medians, making the area relatively affordable. Healthcare, government, hospitality, and education are the dominant employers. Public transit to Pittsburgh is available through the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation system.
The broader district context includes an important financial strain. In December 2024, the Laurel Highlands School Board voted to pursue legal action to force Fayette County to conduct its first property reassessment in over two decades. County property values have not been updated since before 2005, forcing the district to raise property taxes nearly every year just to sustain operations. The board has publicly warned that without a reassessment, the district faces ongoing pressure to raise taxes further, cut staff, or potentially close schools. This is an active, unresolved fiscal reality that affects families considering a move into the district. The district has also developed an in-house cyber learning option, the Mustang Online Learning Academy, for families preferring remote instruction, structured around nine-week enrollment windows and mandatory orientation.
See more original research from School Decision →