The top reported proficiency rate is 90% in Science. The lowest is 77% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Montour El Sch
Montour Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in McKees Rocks, a small, dense borough on the south bank of the Ohio River just northwest of Pittsburgh. The school enrolls a diverse student body of about that size for its grade band, with roughly a third qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students identifying as two or more races, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and other groups. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status were not available.
The school's academic performance is notably strong. In the most recent assessment cycle, students achieved high proficiency in mathematics, with most students meeting or exceeding state standards. Performance in English language arts was solid, with a substantial majority proficient. Science results from the prior year were particularly strong, reflecting deep engagement with that subject. When measured against other elementary schools in Allegheny County, Montour Elementary ranks in the top quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades.
McKees Rocks itself carries a gritty post-industrial character. The borough has a largely pre-WWII housing stock and a working-class demographic; roughly a third of residents live below the poverty line. Despite this backdrop, the area is actively revitalizing. The civic heart clusters around lower Chartiers Avenue, anchored by the Sto-Rox Library, the Father Ryan Arts Center, and the Roxian Theatre, a renovated music venue that draws regional audiences. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail offers riverfront access. Public transit via Pittsburgh Regional Transit connects the neighborhood directly to downtown Pittsburgh.
Recent development signals real momentum. LEVEL: Equity Building launched a multi-unit residential rehab-for-sale project, ACTION Housing is planning an affordable apartment building at Chartiers and Island, and the Allegheny County Housing Authority is pursuing a mixed-income redevelopment of the Hays Manor public housing complex. The McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation is also planning streetscape upgrades and new downtown green space through 2028.
The Montour School District, which operates the school, has held its property tax rate flat for ten consecutive years, keeping it among the lowest millage rates in the county. District leaders have publicly stated that successful commercial property assessment appeals over recent years will likely force a tax increase within the next few years, so families evaluating the area should factor this into long-term affordability planning. Housing values in the broader market show modest appreciation, and rental markets remain relatively affordable compared to national benchmarks.
This school offers a strong academic foundation in a neighborhood undergoing real community renewal, with lower property taxes currently but likely facing upward pressure in the near term.
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