Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Independence Township

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Independence Cemetery Entrance Avella PA 11 1995Photo: Textah01 · CC BY-SA 3.0
B
Schools in Independence Township · Avella Area School District

Independence Township’s public schools outscore 60% of Pennsylvania districts

In Independence Township, 64% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the Pennsylvania average (55%). The grade covers the public school district serving Independence Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
64%
▲ 9 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
31%
▼ 5 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Spent per student
$23.2K
▲ 6% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.3
PA 13.4 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
470 students on the public path
In brief

Independence Township’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1715 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Independence Township’s, its schools beat 51%, lower than their 60% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 64% and math 31% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $23,165 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Avella Area JSHS. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Independence Township’s grade

B Test scores

B: better than 60% of Pennsylvania school districts. Test scores are above the Pennsylvania average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 60%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1715)Better than 51%
Towns in Washington County (32)Better than 22%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 248 test results could put Independence Township anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Independence Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (239 in math, 258 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Independence Township, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–6Avella El Centerin AvellaC+
7–12Avella Area JSHSin AvellaB+

Independence Township’s public schools are run by Avella Area School District, which also serves Cross Creek, Hopewell and West Middletown. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Avella Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 2 schools · 470 students, down 9% since 2020–21 · 9.3 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$23,165PA $21,758 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading64%
State average 55.1% · 258 students tested
Math31%
State average 36.1% · 239 students tested

Independence Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Independence Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Independence TownshipBAvella Area
Hopewell—Avella Area
DonegalB+McGuffey
JeffersonB+Burgettstown Area
Cross CreekBAvella Area
Blaine—McGuffey

2 of the 5 neighbors share Avella Area with Independence Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Independence Township

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Independence Townshipin other towns
Avella El Center
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Avella
C+
242 students10:1Rate it →
Avella Area JSHS
High · Grades 7–12 · Avella
B+
228 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about Independence Township’s schools

Are Independence Township’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Pennsylvania: the public schools Independence Township children attend outscore 60% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 51%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Independence Township in?

Avella Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 470 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

How much does Independence Township spend per student?

$23,165 in Avella Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Independence Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Independence Township → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.