Best Elementary Schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Introduction
Allegheny County is home to some of the most academically accomplished elementary schools in Pennsylvania — and if you're a parent doing your homework before a move or enrollment decision, you've come to the right place. The county stretches from the city of Pittsburgh out through leafy suburban townships like Fox Chapel, Upper St. Clair, and Hampton, offering families a wide range of communities, each with its own personality and price point.
What these top-ranked schools have in common is consistent, high-level performance across English, Math, and Science — most of them landing in the 99th or 100th percentile statewide. That's not an accident. These schools tend to sit in communities where families are deeply invested in education, where local tax bases support well-resourced districts, and where teachers and administrators have built cultures of academic excellence over many years. Whether you're drawn to a walkable borough, a quiet wooded suburb, or something in between, Allegheny County likely has a neighborhood — and a school — that fits.
1. Fairview Elementary School — Fox Chapel Area SD, Pittsburgh
Fairview Elementary sits within the Fox Chapel Area School District, one of the most consistently high-performing districts in all of Pennsylvania. The school scores at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science — a rare sweep that reflects both strong instruction and a community that prioritizes academics from the earliest grades. Fox Chapel itself is an affluent, wooded enclave just northeast of Pittsburgh, known for its spacious homes, low traffic, and proximity to the Allegheny River — the kind of place where families put down roots and stay. If you're looking for a school where academic expectations are high from day one and the surrounding community matches that ambition, Fairview is about as strong a starting point as you'll find anywhere in the county.
2. William Penn Elementary School — Bethel Park SD, Bethel Park
Bethel Park is one of those South Hills suburbs that tends to fly under the radar compared to flashier addresses, but families who live there are quick to tell you it punches well above its weight — and William Penn Elementary is a big reason why. Scoring at the 100th percentile in both Math and Science and the 99th in English, this school is among the very best in Allegheny County by any measure. Bethel Park offers solid housing values, a tight-knit community feel, and easy highway access to downtown Pittsburgh, making it a practical choice for commuting families who don't want to sacrifice school quality for affordability. William Penn will appeal especially to families who want top-tier academics without necessarily paying the premium that comes with a Fox Chapel or Upper St. Clair zip code.
3. Bradford Woods Elementary School — North Allegheny SD, Bradford Woods
Bradford Woods Elementary is part of the North Allegheny School District, a name that carries serious weight in conversations about Pittsburgh-area public education. Scoring at the 100th percentile in English and the 99th in both Math and Science, Bradford Woods sits comfortably among the county's elite. The borough of Bradford Woods is small and quiet — almost rural in feel, despite being well within the suburban orbit of Pittsburgh's North Hills — and the school community reflects that close-knit character. North Allegheny as a whole is known for its deep investment in both academics and extracurriculars, so families choosing Bradford Woods are really choosing into an entire district ecosystem that supports strong outcomes from elementary school all the way through graduation.
4. Eisenhower Elementary School — Upper St. Clair SD, Pittsburgh
Upper St. Clair is one of those districts whose name tends to come up immediately whenever Pittsburgh parents start comparing notes on schools, and Eisenhower Elementary is a prime example of why. With scores at the 100th percentile in English and Science and the 99th in Math, it's performing at the very top of the state. Upper St. Clair itself is a polished South Hills community — well-maintained neighborhoods, strong community programming, and a school district that takes academic achievement seriously at every level. Eisenhower will resonate with families who want a suburban lifestyle close enough to the city to feel connected, but with the kind of school performance that makes the commute worth it.
5. Poff Elementary School — Hampton Township SD, Gibsonia
Hampton Township may not be the first name that comes up when people outside the Pittsburgh area think about the North Hills, but locally, it has a strong reputation — and Poff Elementary backs that up with numbers. The school scores at the 100th percentile in both English and Math, with a 98th percentile showing in Science, adding up to a 100th percentile overall rank. Gibsonia, where Poff is located, has a comfortable suburban feel with newer developments mixed in alongside more established neighborhoods, and it attracts families looking for a quieter pace of life without giving up access to good schools or Pittsburgh's amenities. For families moving into the Hampton Township district, Poff represents a genuinely excellent starting point for their children's education.
Score Trends — Top 5
The first five elementary schools show a mixed picture for 2025. Fairview Elementary remains a top performer with strong scores in both subjects, though English dipped from 96 to 92 and Math slipped slightly from 97 to 96—modest declines that still keep it among the highest in the district. William Penn Elementary showed encouraging growth in Math, jumping from 89 to 95 (+6 points), which more than offsets a small English decline from 90 to 88. Bradford Woods held relatively steady with English flat at 89 and Math barely budging at 90-91, suggesting consistent but not exceptional performance. Eisenhower Elementary experienced notable challenges, with English falling from 94 to 91 and Math dropping from 91 to 88—a concerning double-subject decline that warrants attention.
6. Hosack Elementary School — North Allegheny SD, Allison Park
Another standout from the North Allegheny School District, Hosack Elementary serves the Allison Park community and delivers across the board — 99th percentile in English and Math, 98th in Science, and a 100th percentile overall score. Allison Park is a well-established North Hills community with a mix of housing styles and a strong local identity, popular with families who want good schools, manageable commutes, and a neighborhood where kids can actually play outside. North Allegheny's district-wide culture of high expectations means that Hosack isn't an outlier — it's part of a system built to perform — but its overall ranking places it firmly among the best of the best, even within that strong district.
7. Baker Elementary School — Upper St. Clair SD, Pittsburgh
Baker Elementary is the second Upper St. Clair school on this list, which tells you something important: this is a district that performs at an elite level across multiple buildings, not just at one flagship school. Baker scores at the 100th percentile in both English and Math, with a 96th percentile in Science, landing at the 99th percentile overall. Families choosing Upper St. Clair often find themselves deciding between Baker and Eisenhower depending on where in the township they settle, and the good news is that either choice is an excellent one. The district's strong PTA involvement, well-resourced classrooms, and high parental engagement make it a community where families feel genuinely connected to their child's school experience from the very beginning.
8. Donaldson Elementary School — West Allegheny SD, Oakdale
Donaldson Elementary is a gem on the western edge of Allegheny County, serving the Oakdale area within the West Allegheny School District. Scoring at the 100th percentile in Math, 99th in English, and 98th in Science — with a 99th percentile overall — Donaldson more than holds its own against schools in districts with much higher name recognition. West Allegheny is a district that often surprises newcomers to the area, and Donaldson is a big part of the reason its reputation keeps growing. Oakdale and the surrounding communities offer a more rural, open feel compared to the denser suburbs closer to Pittsburgh, making this a strong option for families who want top academic performance alongside a bit more breathing room.
9. Franklin Elementary School — North Allegheny SD, Sewickley
Franklin Elementary rounds out an impressive showing for the North Allegheny School District, placing three schools in the county's top ten. Located in Sewickley — a charming, historic borough along the Ohio River that consistently ranks among Western Pennsylvania's most desirable communities — Franklin scores at the 99th percentile in English, Math, and Science alike. Sewickley has the feel of a small town with genuine character: a walkable main street, old trees, historic architecture, and a community that takes quiet pride in its schools and green spaces. Families drawn to Franklin are often choosing the whole Sewickley package — a beautiful place to live, a strong community identity, and a school that can genuinely compete with anything else in the county.
10. Wyland Elementary School — Hampton Township SD, Allison Park
Wyland Elementary rounds out the top ten and represents Hampton Township's second appearance on this list, alongside Poff Elementary. Scoring at the 100th percentile in Science, 99th in Math, and 98th in English, Wyland lands at the 99th percentile overall — a strong performance that reflects Hampton Township SD's consistent commitment to academic quality. Wyland serves families in the Allison Park portion of the township, an area that's grown steadily in popularity thanks to its good schools, reasonable housing costs compared to some neighboring communities, and easy access to Pittsburgh's North Hills corridor. For families who want two excellent elementary school options within the same district, Hampton Township delivers.
Score Trends — #6-10
The second group of schools presents a brighter outlook overall. Poff Elementary bucked the English trend with a 4-point Math gain (90 to 94) despite a 4-point English loss, while Hosack saw the steepest English drop in the district (92 to 87, -5 points), though Math edged up slightly. Baker Elementary stands out as a bright spot with a rare English gain (+1 point to reach 91) and stable Math performance at 94. Donaldson Elementary followed the pattern of Math strength with a +3 gain to 93, but English fell from 91 to 88. Franklin Elementary emerged as a true success story, with both subjects improving—English rising from 86 to 88 and Math climbing from 89 to 92—making it one of the district's most improved schools. Wyland Elementary's sharp 6-point English decline (89 to 83) is concerning, though a Math increase to 91 provides some balance.
How We Rank Schools
The School Advocate ranks elementary schools using state assessment data across three subjects: English, Math, and Science. English and Math each account for 40% of a school's overall score, while Science accounts for the remaining 20%. Scores are expressed as percentiles, showing how each school performs relative to all other elementary schools in Pennsylvania. Our methodology weights more recent school years more heavily than older data, so the rankings reflect where schools stand today — not just where they've been.
Compare Schools Yourself
Numbers only tell part of the story, and every family's priorities are different. If you want to dig deeper — whether you're comparing schools across districts, looking at specific subjects, or trying to decide between two neighborhoods — head over to our school comparison tool at /compare. You can pull up any schools side by side and see exactly how they stack up across every subject we track.
Top 50 Rankings
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairview Elementary School | Fox Chapel Area SD | Pittsburgh | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | William Penn Elementary School | Bethel Park SD | Bethel Park | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| 3 | Bradford Woods Elementary School | North Allegheny SD | Bradford Woods | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 4 | Eisenhower Elementary School | Upper St. Clair SD | Pittsburgh | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 5 | Poff Elementary School | Hampton Township SD | Gibsonia | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 6 | Hosack Elementary School | North Allegheny SD | Allison Park | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| 7 | Baker Elementary School | Upper St. Clair SD | Pittsburgh | 100 | 100 | 99 |
| 8 | Donaldson Elementary School | West Allegheny SD | Oakdale | 99 | 100 | 99 |
| 9 | Franklin Elementary School | North Allegheny SD | Sewickley | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 10 | Wyland Elementary School | Hampton Township SD | Allison Park | 98 | 99 | 99 |
| 11 | Streams Elementary School | Upper St. Clair SD | Pittsburgh | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 12 | OHara Elementary School | Fox Chapel Area SD | Pittsburgh | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 13 | Wexford Elementary School | Pine-Richland SD | Wexford | 97 | 98 | 99 |
| 14 | Reserve Primary School | Shaler Area SD | Pittsburgh | 94 | 99 | 98 |
| 15 | Hoover Elementary School | Mt Lebanon SD | Pittsburgh | 95 | 97 | 98 |
| 16 | Markham Elementary School | Mt Lebanon SD | Pittsburgh | 97 | 97 | 98 |
| 17 | South Fayette Intermediate School | South Fayette Township SD | McDonald | 98 | 96 | 97 |
| 18 | Marshall Elementary School | North Allegheny SD | Wexford | 98 | 98 | 97 |
| 19 | Central Elementary School | Hampton Township SD | Allison Park | 96 | 95 | 97 |
| 20 | Burchfield Primary School | Shaler Area SD | Allison Park | 94 | 96 | 97 |
| 21 | Wilson Elementary School | West Allegheny SD | Imperial | 95 | 99 | 97 |
| 22 | Bon Meade Elementary School | Moon Area SD | Moon township | 92 | 98 | 97 |
| 23 | McCormick Elementary School | Moon Area SD | Moon Township | 96 | 99 | 96 |
| 24 | Hartwood Elementary School | Fox Chapel Area SD | Pittsburgh | 97 | 96 | 96 |
| 25 | Scott Primary School | Shaler Area SD | Glenshaw | 92 | 98 | 96 |
| 26 | Jefferson Elementary School | Mt Lebanon SD | Pittsburgh | 97 | 96 | 96 |
| 27 | Lincoln Elementary School | Mt Lebanon SD | Pittsburgh | 96 | 91 | 95 |
| 28 | Peebles Elementary School | North Allegheny SD | Pittsburgh | 97 | 89 | 95 |
| 29 | Howe Elementary School | Mt Lebanon SD | Pittsburgh | 94 | 91 | 95 |
| 30 | Marzolf Primary School | Shaler Area SD | Pittsburgh | 94 | 93 | 95 |
| 31 | Ingomar Elementary School | North Allegheny SD | Pittsburgh | 96 | 97 | 95 |
| 32 | Richland Elementary School | Pine-Richland SD | Gibsonia | 87 | 99 | 95 |
| 33 | McKnight Elementary School | North Allegheny SD | Pittsburgh | 93 | 92 | 94 |
| 34 | J H Brooks Elementary School | Moon Area SD | Moon Township | 90 | 95 | 94 |
| 35 | Foster Elementary School | Mt Lebanon SD | Pittsburgh | 92 | 93 | 94 |
| 36 | Edgeworth Elementary School | Quaker Valley SD | Sewickley | 93 | 90 | 93 |
| 37 | Kerr Elementary School | Fox Chapel Area SD | Pittsburgh | 90 | 93 | 93 |
| 38 | Ross Elementary School | North Hills SD | Pittsburgh | 94 | 92 | 93 |
| 39 | Osborne Elementary School | Quaker Valley SD | Sewickley | 90 | 92 | 92 |
| 40 | Eden Hall Upper Elementary School | Pine-Richland SD | Gibsonia | 93 | 88 | 92 |
| 41 | Dormont Elementary School | Keystone Oaks SD | Pittsburgh | 92 | 93 | 91 |
| 42 | George Washington Elementary School | Bethel Park SD | Bethel Park | 94 | 83 | 91 |
| 43 | Tenth Street Elementary School | Riverview SD | Oakmont | 92 | 85 | 91 |
| 44 | Montour Elementary School | Montour SD | McKees Rocks | 92 | 94 | 90 |
| 45 | Benjamin Franklin Elementary School | Bethel Park SD | Bethel Park | 90 | 92 | 89 |
| 46 | Fred L Aiken Elementary School | Keystone Oaks SD | Pittsburgh | 86 | 94 | 89 |
| 47 | Abraham Lincoln Elementary School | Bethel Park SD | Pittsburgh | 86 | 85 | 89 |
| 48 | Pittsburgh Montessori K-5 | Pittsburgh SD | Pittsburgh | 94 | 80 | 88 |
| 49 | McKee Elementary School | West Allegheny SD | Oakdale | 89 | 93 | 88 |
| 50 | Washington Elementary School | Mt Lebanon SD | Pittsburgh | 85 | 85 | 86 |