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Schools in West Donegal Township · Elizabethtown Area School District

West Donegal Township’s public schools outscore 83% of Pennsylvania districts

In West Donegal Township, 49% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving West Donegal Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.

#242of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% 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
65%
▲ 10 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▲ 13 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95%
▲ 8 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.1K
▼ 17% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.9
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
0
3,525 students on the public path
In brief

West Donegal Township’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 65% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,063 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 3 the district’s path is Bear Creek School, then Elizabethtown Area MS, then Elizabethtown Area SHS. 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 West Donegal Township’s grade

A− Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 83% of Pennsylvania school districts, #242 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 83%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1715)Better than 85%
Towns in Lancaster County (41)Better than 83%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,748 test results and a graduating class of 294 could put West Donegal Township anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of West Donegal Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,660 in math, 1,837 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–22 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
3–5Bear Creek Schoolin ElizabethtownB+
6–8Elizabethtown Area MSin ElizabethtownC+
9–12Elizabethtown Area SHSin ElizabethtownB−

West Donegal Township’s public schools are run by Elizabethtown Area School District, which also serves Conoy, Elizabethtown and Mount Joy. 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.

Elizabethtown Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 5 schools · 3,525 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 14.9 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$18,063PA $21,758 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading65%
State average 55.1% · 1837 students tested
Math49%
State average 36.1% · 1660 students tested

West Donegal Township vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
West Donegal TownshipA−Elizabethtown Area
LondonderryB+Lower Dauphin
ElizabethtownA−Elizabethtown Area
Mount JoyB+Elizabethtown Area K–12 · Donegal K–12
East DonegalBDonegal
ConoyA−Elizabethtown Area

3 of the 5 neighbors share Elizabethtown Area with West Donegal Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in West Donegal Township

5 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 West Donegal Townshipin other towns
East High Street El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–2 · Elizabethtown
A−
466 students14:1Rate it →
Bainbridge El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–2 · Bainbridge
A
219 students15:1Rate it →
Bear Creek School
Elementary · Grades 3–5 · Elizabethtown
B+
750 students14:1Rate it →
Elizabethtown Area MS
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Elizabethtown
C+
827 students14:1Rate it →
Elizabethtown Area SHS
High · Grades 9–12 · Elizabethtown
B−
1,263 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about West Donegal Township’s schools

Are West Donegal Township’s schools good?

By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools West Donegal Township children attend outscore 83% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #242 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is West Donegal Township in?

Elizabethtown Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 3,525 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do West Donegal Township kids go to high school?

Elizabethtown Area SHS in Elizabethtown, with 1,263 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is West Donegal Township’s graduation rate?

95% of the class of 2023 in Elizabethtown Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does West Donegal Township spend per student?

$18,063 in Elizabethtown Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What West Donegal Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near West Donegal 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.