The top reported proficiency rate is 96% in Science. The lowest is 60% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Kutztown El Sch
Kutztown Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in a compact, college-town setting. The school sits at the edge of the historic borough of Kutztown, which is anchored by Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and has a stable, modest population. The elementary is one of two buildings in the Kutztown Area School District, with a total enrollment in the low hundreds.
The school's academic profile is mixed. In math, most recent data shows proficiency around the middle mark, with roughly three-fifths of tested third- through fifth-graders meeting state standards. English language arts proficiency is similar. Science stands as a clear strength, with performance well above typical levels. When looked at across all tested subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among districts in Berks County, a notable achievement in a county comparison set of about twenty districts.
The student body reflects the broader Pennsylvania Dutch community. A majority of students are white, with a growing Hispanic population making up a smaller but visible share. About four in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of economic diversity. The school's enrollment is stable across its grade levels, ranging from about fifty to seventy students per grade.
The school and its district face near-term budget strain. In May 2025, district voters rejected a proposed property tax increase, and the district responded by eliminating four teaching positions that had been held by retirees, including an elementary teacher. The district also is actively weighing the closure of Greenwich-Lenhartsville Elementary, the other elementary building, due to budget constraints and building maintenance needs. If that closure moves forward, Kutztown Elementary would consolidate all elementary students in the district, lengthening bus routes for families in the northern townships.
Housing in the Kutztown area is moderately priced for the region, with a median home value above the Pennsylvania state average. New construction is occurring in surrounding townships more than in the borough itself, and the wider area has dozens of new-home developments at various price points.
A parent considering this school would want to inquire directly with the district about the timeline and likelihood of the Greenwich closure, as that decision would reshape which families can reasonably access Kutztown Elementary. The budget situation and recent teacher cuts are also worth discussing in conversations with the building principal about class sizes and program staffing going forward.
See more original research from School Decision →