The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in Science. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on West Branch Area El Sch
West Branch Area Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in Morrisdale, a small, rural residential area in Morris Township, Clearfield County. The school sits on Allport Cutoff alongside the district's middle and high schools, about five miles north of Philipsburg on a car-dependent road. Most families who send their children here own their homes; the area has a modest, settled character, with retirees a visible part of the community.
The school enrolls about small-to-mid-sized school enrollment for this grade band. Almost all students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, which reflects the economic reality of the township and district. The student body is predominantly white, with a small share of Hispanic students and a handful of students from other backgrounds. Data on special education enrollment and English learners was not available.
In state testing, West Branch Elementary's results are mixed. On the most recent science assessment, proficiency was notably strong. In English language arts and mathematics, proficiency rates for students in grades three and four fall below the midpoint for other schools tested in Clearfield County. Compared to the seven other public school districts in the county, West Branch Elementary ranks in the top quartile on an overall proficiency index, which reflects the strength of science performance alongside lower reading and math results. A parent may want to look directly with the school into what supports and interventions are in place for students working toward proficiency in reading and math.
The district is managing a substantial capital project. After years of planning, the school board unanimously approved a major renovation and addition to West Branch Elementary in late 2024, with construction underway through the current school year. All heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems are being replaced, along with new entrance canopies and abatement work. This long-awaited project reshapes the physical experience for K-5 students and families, though the active construction and any resulting disruptions are part of that transition. To finance the work, the district has taken on new debt and has raised property tax millage rates in consecutive years in both Clearfield and Clinton Counties, a multi-year commitment that directly affects household costs.
The locale itself is quiet and residential, without a walkable downtown or concentrated commercial center. Civic life centers on the township municipal building and the school cluster. Population in Morrisdale has remained roughly flat or slightly declining in recent decades. The housing market is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, reflecting the rural character and limited economic growth of the area. Employment is anchored by the school district itself, along with surface coal mining operations that persist in the county.
For families considering the elementary school, the key question is how much the active renovation will shape the day-to-day experience and whether the school's lower proficiency in reading and math aligns with their sense of where their child needs support. The rural setting, strong community ties, and affordable housing are assets for families who prefer a quieter, more settled environment. The low proficiency rates in two core subjects warrant direct conversation with the school about curriculum, staffing, and any recent changes or improvements underway alongside the building project.
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