The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Science. The lowest is 52% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Hambright El Sch
Hambright Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade in Lancaster, a small walkable city that has recently become a downtown housing growth engine. The school enrolls a student body that is economically and racially mixed, with a substantial share qualifying for free or reduced lunch and enrollment spanning white, Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial backgrounds in roughly equal parts.
On state testing in grades three through six, Hambright's math and reading results sit in the middle range. Math proficiency runs below the majority of county elementary schools, while reading proficiency falls similarly. The school's science performance is notably stronger, placing it near the top of county peers in that subject. The pattern suggests math and literacy are areas where the school's students are still building skills, while science instruction shows real strength. A parent weighing this school may want to look into what classroom supports exist in math and reading, and what approaches have lifted science achievement.
The school sits at about average size for an elementary school in its grade range, with roughly balanced enrollment across grades. Housing around Lancaster has appreciated modestly in recent years, and rental costs reflect modest affordability: monthly rent and mortgage payments are both in a moderate range relative to typical local household income. The immediate Lancaster area includes tree-lined residential neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown shops, restaurants, parks, and the county's civic anchors, including the Central Market and the newly opened downtown library.
Penn Manor School District, which operates Hambright, recently completed a major renovation and expansion of its high school, finished in 2022-23, which signals the district's capacity to undertake significant facilities projects. The board has also set aside funding for future elementary school projects at three schools, including investments that will require debt service. In October 2024, the district adopted policies on student records and athletics related to gender identity and team eligibility, approved by the school board. These are factors that families moving to the area or choosing among schools will want to understand.
The school itself does not report special education service rates or English learner counts, so the full picture of support infrastructure is not visible in available data. On academic performance in math and reading, Hambright's current results suggest a school still developing momentum in core subjects, with science as a demonstrated strength. Families are best served by visiting, talking with current parents, and asking directly about classroom supports and curriculum approaches in the grades and subjects where their child will need help.
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