The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in Science. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas Jefferson El Sch
Thomas Jefferson Elementary is a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school in Bethlehem serving just under a modest enrollment. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with about half the enrollment, followed by white and Black students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which reflects the school's placement in a lower-income neighborhood of the city.
On state assessments in mathematics and English language arts, Thomas Jefferson's proficiency rates run well below the middle ground among Northampton County school districts. Math proficiency sits in the bottom quartile countywide, with reading also trailing the county median. In science, the most recent data available shows stronger relative performance, though testing in that subject covers a smaller group. Across the three subjects combined, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile of the county's schools. A parent may want to look into current school and district efforts to address reading and math outcomes, and whether specific supports are in place for students not yet meeting grade-level standards.
Bethlehem Area School District, of which Thomas Jefferson is part, has undertaken a district-wide shift to research-based reading instruction that extends from the early grades through high school. Teachers across all subject areas have been trained in comprehension, vocabulary, and writing practices grounded in the Science of Reading. This initiative, running since 2021 in partnership with Keys to Literacy, aims to build on earlier gains in the primary grades. For families, this means reading and writing instruction in every classroom is part of a coordinated, evidence-informed approach rather than isolated to English class.
The broader context matters. Bethlehem itself is in active growth, with mixed-use redevelopments, new apartment buildings, and cultural anchors like a rebuilt ArtsQuest center and the SteelStacks campus anchoring downtown renewal. Housing values in the area are modest relative to state and national benchmarks, and rental costs are proportionally lower, making Bethlehem a relatively affordable option for families in the Lehigh Valley. Walkable neighborhoods, trails along the Lehigh River, and proximity to Lehigh University and civic institutions shape daily life. LANTA public transit connects the city to Allentown and Easton.
At the district level, the state has flagged seven BASD schools for improvement plans in the 2024-25 school year. Thomas Jefferson itself does not appear on that list. However, parents evaluating the district should be aware that Broughal Middle School carries a Comprehensive School Improvement designation, and several other schools carry Targeted Support designations. Additionally, a 2023 state audit publicly criticized Bethlehem Area's past tax practices, finding the district had used accounting maneuvers to justify property tax increases; the audit recommended the district stop applying for referendum exceptions going forward. This may be relevant context for families considering Bethlehem Area schools over time.
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