The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Social studies. The lowest is 53% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Eastlake, a mid-sized Cleveland suburb on the Lake Erie shore with a predominantly residential, blue-collar character tied historically to manufacturing. The school sits within the Willoughby-Eastlake City School District, which covers three municipalities and serves a community experiencing slow growth and modest decline. Eastlake's housing stock skews toward postwar single-family homes, and the area is car-oriented with limited walkability; the nearest walkable commercial district sits in adjacent Willoughby.
The school's student body is predominantly white, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the working-class economic base of the community. The enrollment is small to mid-sized for an elementary school. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status was not available.
State test results for grades three through five show proficiency rates in the mid-range. In English language arts, the school's proficiency rate places it below the midpoint among Lake County's districts. Math proficiency is lower still, also below the midpoint. Science proficiency is comparable to ELA. Only one year of data is available; trend information is not yet possible to establish. All students who were tested participated fully. The school did not report results for earlier grades, as kindergarten through second grade are not assessed under Ohio's state testing system.
A parent should note the fiscal pressures bearing on the district. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, elementary days will extend to 8:15 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., a change from current schedules that will directly affect daily logistics for every family—drop-off and pick-up times will shift, bus routes are being reorganized, and after-school care arrangements may need adjustment. More substantially, the district faces a significant revenue shortfall over the next several years stemming from three state law changes and Lake County's decision to enact property tax credits. The school board is actively exploring consolidation scenarios, including merging buildings within the district and potentially combining the two high schools, to address the gap. While these actions may not immediately affect Jefferson itself, they signal possible future changes to school structures and assignments. A parent may want to look into the district's strategic plans and keep track of consolidation discussions, as they could reshape which school a child attends as they progress through the grades.
Housing in the area is affordable relative to national benchmarks and income. The median home value is below the state average, and monthly mortgage costs are modest. Rental availability sits somewhat higher as a share of household income. New housing development has been minimal historically—most stock dates to the postwar era—though recent projects on former school sites are adding new single-family subdivisions priced in the lower range, a sign of possible modest revitalization.
Jefferson Elementary is a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation. It draws from a working-class community with stable residential patterns and serves a local catchment. For a family prioritizing affordability, neighborhood schools, and a smaller-school setting within an established district structure, this is the baseline school option in Eastlake. Parents should weigh the school's current test results against the district's fiscal trajectory and upcoming schedule changes, and use those factors alongside their own priorities to assess fit.
See more original research from School Decision →