Joe Walker Elementary School is a part of the McGuffey School District

McGuffey School District

McGuffey School District is a midsized, rural, public school system located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. It serves 10 communities including: the boroughs of West Alexander, Claysville, and Green Hills, and the townships of West Finley, East Finley, Morris, Donegal, Buffalo, Blaine, and South...

. This elementary school is located in Lagonda, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

 on Park Avenue (Route 18). Students living in South Franklin Township that are in fifth grade are transferred to Claysville Elementary School due to insufficient space in the Joe Walker Elementary building.

The Name of the School

Joe Walker Elementary School was named after Joseph Albert Walker in honor of his accomplishments of making two flights beyond 100 kilometers - the edge of space. Joe Walker's childhood home is approximately 1/2 mile down Route 18 (towards Washington, PA) from Joe Walker Elementary School.

Academic Achievement

In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status. In 2011, the school's attendance rate declined to 94% while the rate was 95% in 2010.

PSSA results

4th Grade Reading:

• 2011 - 78% (2% below basic), State – 73.3%
• 2010 - 76% (10% below basic), State - 73%
• 2009 - 76% (11% below basic), State - 72%
• 2008 - 67% (12% below basic), State - 70%
• 2007 - 78% (9% below basic), State - 60%

4th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 86%, 69% advanced. State – 85.3%
• 2010 - 91%, 51% advanced. State - 84%
• 2009 - 80% (6% below basic), State - 81%
• 2008 - 78% (9% below basic), State - 80%
• 2007 - 86% (0% below basic), State - 78%

4th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 97%, 71% advanced. State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 93%, 52% advanced. State - 81%
• 2009 - 97%, 53% advanced. State - 83%
• 2008 - 86%, 41% advanced. State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading:

• 2011 - 86%, (8% below basic), State – 77.2%
• 2010 - 82%, (2% below basic), State - 75%
• 2009 - 80%, (9% below basic), State - 77%
• 2008 - 84%, (3% below basic), State - 70%
• 2007 - 77%, State - 72%

3rd Grade Math:

• 2011 - 81%, (2% below basic), State – 83.5%
• 2010 - 84%, (1% below basic), State - 84%
• 2009 - 84%, (0% below basic), State - 81%
• 2008 - 87%, (0% below basic), State - 80%
• 2007 - 83%, State - 78%

Reading program

The school requires each student to participate in a reading program. First grades must read five books in the third and fourth marking period. Older students must read for points each marking period. Rewards are provided each marking period. The level of participation is part of the reading grade each student earns.