The top reported proficiency rate is 97% in Science. The lowest is 57% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Redbank Valley Intrmd Sch
Redbank Valley Intermediate School serves grades three through five in Hawthorn, a small rural borough in Clarion County sitting between New Bethlehem and Brookville south of I-80. The school enrolls a small cohort of students, with all students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly white; available data does not include counts for students with individualized education plans or English learners.
On state assessments administered most recently, the school shows a mixed academic profile. In science, measured in the 2022-23 school year, students performed exceptionally well, with nearly all meeting or exceeding proficiency. In math and English language arts, tested in 2024-25, the results are more moderate. Roughly three in five students met proficiency in math, and a bit more than half met proficiency in English language arts. Overall, the school's combined proficiency index places it in the top quartile among districts in Clarion County.
The school is situated in the broader context of the Redbank Valley School District, which faces structural budget tightness. During the 2025-26 state budget impasse, the district's revenues fell significantly short due to halted state funding and the district pursued emergency borrowing to keep schools operating. State aid makes up the majority of the district's budget, and the district collects relatively low local tax revenue per student compared to other Pennsylvania districts. This financial constraint is a material fact for families considering the district: tight budgets can limit program breadth, constrain facility investment, and create recurring uncertainty around tax levies and spending priorities. A parent evaluating this school may want to ask the district directly about how budget pressures affect elementary programming, special services, and capital maintenance.
The intermediate school itself sits in New Bethlehem rather than in Hawthorn proper. Hawthorn is a quiet residential borough with a population that has remained roughly flat; most residents own their homes and a notable share are retirees. The area has a rural character with limited walkable commercial life. The nearby Redbank Valley Trail, a non-motorized rail-trail recognized by the state, passes through the area and serves as the community's main pedestrian and cycling corridor. Access to the broader region is by road via Pennsylvania Route 28.
Hawthorn itself has limited civic anchors; the Redbank Valley Municipal Park nearby offers recreation, and the Redbank Valley Public Library in New Bethlehem serves the area. There is no fixed-route public transit. Families living in Hawthorn and sending children to the intermediate school should expect a short drive to campus in New Bethlehem. The district structure concentrates all three of its schools in New Bethlehem rather than distributing them across the towns it serves.
For a family in or moving to this area, the intermediate school offers a small, tight-knit setting in a rural community. Academic performance in science is strong; proficiency in literacy and math appears to need closer attention. The district's financial precarity is a context to track and discuss directly with administrators. This profile suits families drawn to rural community life and willing to engage actively with the school around academic support and district budget realities.
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