The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in English language arts. The lowest is 57% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on East High Street El Sch
East High Street Elementary serves kindergarten through second grade in Elizabethtown, a small Lancaster County borough anchored by its walkable downtown, Elizabethtown College, and the Masonic Village. The school sits in a town that has grown substantially over recent decades and is now publicly reported as one of the region's most popular housing markets, with new residential developments and rising property values reflecting strong demand from families seeking a small-town setting within commuting distance of Harrisburg and Lancaster.
The school's academic profile comes from a single year of state assessment data, collected in 2021 from third-grade students who had attended East High Street in prior grades. In English language arts, about two-thirds of tested third graders met or exceeded proficiency. In mathematics, proficiency ran lower, with roughly three-fifths of tested students at proficient levels. Participation in the assessments was roughly three-quarters statewide. Among schools in Lancaster County, this school's overall proficiency sits in the top quartile. It is important to note that these data point to one cohort at one moment and predate the current school year; the school's current performance may differ. Because the school serves only kindergarten through second grade, students are not assessed in these grades under Pennsylvania testing. State assessment results do not exist for the current enrollment, so a parent seeking a fuller picture of early-literacy and numeracy instruction would want to speak directly with the school.
Enrollment is small and stable across the three grade levels. Nearly half of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is predominantly white; Asian, Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students together represent a smaller but meaningful share. Data on special education enrollment and English learner population were not provided. The school is a regular public school operated by the Elizabethtown Area School District.
The district itself faces real financial and programmatic crosswinds that affect families considering the area. The school board approved a property tax increase for 2025-26 and has signaled another for 2026-27, two consecutive years of levy hikes that will raise homeowners' bills noticeably. The 2025-26 budget also eliminated funding for library books at the middle and high school level and cut nine vacant staff positions, moves that reflect sustained fiscal strain. Beyond budget cuts, the district has undergone curriculum and library policy changes: in 2023 the board adopted a detailed category-based opt-out system for library materials, and in late 2025 voted unanimously to remove several titles from the English curriculum, including works commonly taught in secondary grades. The district is also conducting a feasibility study for the high school and middle school complex, with a portion of recent tax increases earmarked toward that future capital project, a multi-year commitment that will shape both facilities and ongoing levy bills.
Elizabethtown itself is a town in transition. The downtown along High Street hosts shops and restaurants, and a pedestrian and bicycle pathway network connects schools, churches, the college, and the Amtrak station, creating a walkable civic spine. Major employers include the Mars Chocolate plant, Nordstrom's fulfillment center, and the Masonic Village retirement community. Housing has appreciated notably, and new subdivisions including Bear Creek Estates, Klein Mills 55+, and StoneyBrook have added inventory in recent years. The town has more than doubled its population since mid-century, and current growth is brisk enough to have drawn recognition as one of the region's top housing markets. This growth has intensified school-capacity and tax pressures, both of which the district's recent budget decisions reflect. For families moving into or already in Elizabethtown with young children, the elementary school's geographic proximity and strong proficiency position relative to other county schools are assets; the district's fiscal trajectory and upcoming facilities work are practical considerations that merit careful review as families plan medium-term housing and education decisions.
See more original research from School Decision →