The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in Science. The lowest is 26% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Shirley Twp El Sch
Shirley Township Elementary School serves grades three through five in Mount Union, a small Huntingdon County borough anchored by manufacturing—historically the world's largest producer of refractory brick, and still home to cabinet and valve manufacturers. The school sits within the Mount Union Area School District, which crosses both Huntingdon and Mifflin counties.
The school's enrollment is small, and the student body is predominantly white, with a substantial multiracial population. All enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and the district's participation in the Community Eligibility Provision means every student receives one free breakfast and one free lunch daily, regardless of household income. This removes application and cost barriers for families.
State testing results for the school show a pattern worth examining. In math and English language arts, proficiency rates fall well below half of students. Science results, measured most recently in the prior school year, were considerably stronger, with a majority of students proficient. The overall proficiency index places the school above the midpoint among Huntingdon County's districts, suggesting performance that, while uneven across subjects, does not rank at the bottom of the county's elementary schools.
The district has committed to meaningful curriculum changes. Its 2025-2028 plan signals a shift toward Structured Literacy approaches and expanded tiered math interventions using Spring Math across grades K-8, signaling that the district recognizes and is attempting to address the weaker performance in reading and math. Implementation of Pennsylvania's new STEELS science standards is also underway. These are substantive pedagogical moves, not incremental adjustments, and reflect leadership's acknowledgment of where students are struggling.
The district has also held property tax millage steady for multiple years, a signal of fiscal constraint that may appeal to homebuyers but also reflects limited revenue capacity. Home values in the Mount Union zip code are modest relative to state and national benchmarks, and housing remains affordable relative to median household income.
Mount Union itself is a compact industrial borough with a dense historic core and modest population, having declined from its industrial peak. Civic anchors include a volunteer-run community library, three parks, and an area medical center. Manufacturing remains the dominant employment sector locally. A notable recent development is Cabinetworks Group's expansion project, targeting new manufacturing positions by the end of 2025, which may signal modest economic activity in the area.
For a parent considering this school, the key question is how the district's curriculum overhaul will take hold in reading and math, where current results lag. The strong science performance suggests students can reach proficiency when instruction and content align. The school is small, serves a largely Title I population, and operates within a district that has been deliberate about identifying and beginning to address its weak spots. A parent may want to look into the school's progress on Structured Literacy and math interventions directly with administrators to understand the pace and fidelity of these shifts.
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