The top reported proficiency rate is 92% in Social studies. The lowest is 62% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on A J Jordak Elementary School
A J Jordak Elementary School is a small kindergarten through fourth grade school in Middlefield, Ohio, a rural village in Geauga County known as home to the nation's fourth-largest Amish settlement. The school draws from a community that blends Amish and non-Amish residents, with a strong manufacturing base anchored by plastics, cabinetry, and light industry alongside agricultural heritage and small family businesses. The enrollment is modest, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic mix of the area.
State assessment results show math and English language arts proficiency in the low-to-mid range, with science proficiency tracking similarly. The school's most recent comparison against other districts in Geauga County places its overall proficiency index below the midpoint among the five other county districts. These results suggest students are meeting proficiency at rates below the county average, though the school tests nearly all students who are enrolled. An earlier social studies assessment from 2016 showed much higher proficiency, though this subject is no longer tested at the elementary level statewide, so no current trend is available.
The school reflects Middlefield's character: the student body is predominantly white with modest racial and ethnic diversity. Just over two-fifths of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. The fourth grade is the largest cohort, and enrollment overall is stable within the small range typical for this grade band and community size.
A significant structural change came in summer 2024. Jordak Elementary was officially closed as part of a district-wide consolidation driven by declining enrollment across Cardinal Local Schools. All kindergarten through grade six students now attend classes in the former middle school building on Almeda Drive. This consolidation reduced the number of school buildings families must navigate and freed district resources. The Jordak property was sold at auction in 2025, with proceeds funding facility upgrades at the junior/senior high school, including HVAC work, a new roof, and a new parking lot. For families considering Cardinal Local, this restructuring means Jordak students now transition into a building that also serves the upper elementary grades and then move together to a consolidated junior and senior high school on Thompson Avenue, rather than the three-building model the district previously used.
Middlefield itself is a managed-growth community with steady residential development and a strong civic center. The Geauga County Public Library branch sits on East High Street, the Maple Highlands Trail bike path runs through downtown, and the village supports a mix of Amish-owned small businesses, chain retail, and industrial employment. Housing values are moderate and rising gradually. The school's location on East High Street places it near the village heart.
State assessment data was current only for the 2024-25 school year; prior-year trend data was not available. Special education enrollment and English learner data were not reported. A parent considering this school may want to discuss with the district how the 2024 consolidation has affected class sizes, specialist availability, and student support services, as these typically shift when buildings close and grades are recombined.
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