The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Paul B D Temple Elementary School
Paul B.D. Temple Elementary School serves grades pre-kindergarten through second grade in Kennedy, a small rural hamlet in the town of Poland in eastern Chautauqua County. The school enrolls a small population of students, with representation across all four early grades. About half of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a moderate economic pressure within the school's catchment. The student population is predominantly white, with a small number of students identifying as Hispanic, Black, Asian, or multiracial.
The school is part of Falconer Central School District, which recently completed a district-wide capital improvements project including renovations to building systems and learning spaces across all three of its schools. A 2024 state audit, however, noted that the district had accumulated surplus fund balance beyond statutory limits and repeatedly levied more property taxes than necessary, a finding with direct implications for families' property-tax burden. The district's recent facilities work represents a material investment, and parents evaluating the school may wish to clarify what that project delivered and how district leadership is addressing the audit's tax-collection findings.
Because Temple serves only early grades (pre-K through second), state testing data does not apply; New York does not administer proficiency assessments at those grade levels. A parent cannot draw on standardized academic results to evaluate the school's academic approach or outcomes for reading and math at the ages it serves.
Kennedy itself is a quiet, low-density residential hamlet centered on a small main street. The hamlet's population has remained stable in recent years. The surrounding countryside is rural and agricultural, falling within county farmland-preservation planning. The Kennedy Free Library anchors civic life, offering computers, public Wi-Fi, summer reading programs for young children, and serving as a heat shelter. No public transit service specific to Kennedy was identified. Chautauqua Lake lies within a short drive, and the town of Poland offers outdoor recreation including snowmobiling trails and small campgrounds.
The housing market in the Kennedy area, like much of Chautauqua County, reflects modest affordability. Home values in the ZIP code are below the state median and have appreciated modestly in recent years. Rental costs remain low relative to regional benchmarks, and the cost of ownership relative to household income sits below the national average, making the area relatively affordable for buyers and renters compared to many parts of New York. Active housing inventory in the county has expanded recently, and days on the market remain moderate.
A parent considering this school would be choosing early-grades education in a small, stable, rural community with limited urban amenities but low cost of living and strong community cohesion. The school's early-grade focus means no academic performance data exists for it; families should visit the school and speak directly with teachers and administrators about curriculum, instructional practices, and how the school supports early literacy and numeracy development across its grades.
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