The top reported proficiency rate is 80% in Science. The lowest is 38% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Clearfield Area El Sch
Clearfield Area Elementary School serves a small enrollment of kindergarten through sixth grade in a rural Pennsylvania borough that sits between the West Branch Susquehanna River and Interstate 80. The school's location on High Level Road places it on a campus outside downtown Clearfield, separate from the county seat's historic core and its local business and civic anchors.
The elementary school population is overwhelmingly white, with a substantial majority of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. This composition reflects both the demographics of Clearfield County and the economic circumstances of the families the school serves. All students in the school qualify for meal assistance, a baseline fact about the community the school draws from.
Academic performance across the school shows a mixed picture. On state assessments administered to grades three through six, proficiency in English language arts and mathematics both sit in the lower range. In the most recent reporting period, fewer than two in five students scored at proficient levels in either subject. Science proficiency, tested in a smaller subset of the upper elementary grades, performs substantially better, with the majority of tested students reaching proficient levels. The overall proficiency index places this school in the top quartile when compared against other district schools in Clearfield County, though this positioning reflects the county's performance landscape rather than state or national benchmarks.
The school is part of Clearfield Area School District, which is entering a financially strained period. The district approved a property tax increase for the 2024-25 school year to help cover rising costs, and administration has publicly projected structural deficits for coming years, signaling that staff reductions and program cuts are likely. These district-level pressures will shape class sizes, teaching positions, and program offerings at the elementary school within a few years. The district is also planning a substantial renovation and addition project at the elementary building itself, which would add space and security improvements but will be financed through long-term borrowing that affects district finances.
Housing in the area is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks, with home values well below state median, making the school accessible to families considering relocation. At the same time, the combination of lower proficiency results in core subjects and district budget constraints means families should look closely at what supplemental support and resources might be available if their child needs extra help in reading or math.
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