The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in Science. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on J M Hill El Sch
J M Hill Elementary School is a kindergarten through fifth-grade regular public school in East Stroudsburg, serving a mixed-income student body in a borough that sits at a crossroads between growth and institutional change.
The school enrolls a diverse student population across roughly equal cohorts in each grade. More than half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting substantial economic need in the school community. The student body itself is racially and ethnically diverse, with white students representing the largest single group, followed by Black students, multiracial students, Hispanic students, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
On state assessments, J M Hill's performance in mathematics and English language arts falls below the state middle. In mathematics, proficiency stood at a level where more than two-thirds of students did not meet proficiency. In ELA, the picture is similar, with fewer than two in five students proficient. Science proficiency, measured most recently in the prior school year, was notably stronger, with a substantial majority of students meeting the bar. Across the tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile relative to districts in Monroe County, meaning it performs above most of its county neighbors, though it is worth noting that county comparison is a localized measure and does not reflect statewide standing. A parent may want to look into the underlying instruction in grades three through five with the school, particularly in math.
The district that governs J M Hill, East Stroudsburg Area School District, is navigating a period of significant change. The district received a major tax equity supplement from Pennsylvania in 2024, the largest such payment awarded to any district in the state that year, which helps reduce reliance on local property taxes. At the same time, the district is conducting a feasibility study driven by declining enrollment and aging buildings, with options that include consolidating its two high schools, realigning grade configurations, and potentially selling J M Hill itself. This long-term uncertainty about the school's future is a factor for families to weigh carefully. The district has also launched a co-teaching model in kindergarten through second grade, pairing special education and general education teachers in the same classroom, which represents a shift in how primary grades are instructed and has plans to expand this approach.
East Stroudsburg itself is experiencing active growth. Housing prices have risen appreciably, and new construction is underway in the surrounding area. The borough has a walkable historic downtown with shops, restaurants, and cultural venues, anchored by the restored Dansbury Depot and a regional trail system. Major employers include East Stroudsburg University and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, both of which are expanding their presence. The area offers parks, recreational programs centered at Dansbury Community Park, and regional transit connections to New York City.
For families considering J M Hill, the key tension is between its positioning within the county and the district-level uncertainty around its future. The school sits in a community with real economic need, moderate academic standing among its peers, and a strong science foundation. Simultaneously, the district is actively exploring whether this school continues in its current form. Prospective families and those already enrolled should engage directly with the district about its timeline for decisions and what, if any, transition plans it has developed.
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