The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Math. The lowest is 75% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson El Sch
Jefferson El Sch serves kindergarten through third grade in Lake Ariel, a rural, resort-anchored Pocono Mountain village where seasonal second-home ownership and a notably older year-round population shape the community's character. The school is small and operates within North Pocono School District, which spans both Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and recently passed a substantial bond for solar installation and facility upgrades districtwide.
The school's academic performance stands out. Third-grade proficiency in math and English language arts sits well above the median among Lackawanna County's school districts. In math, roughly a strong majority of third graders tested demonstrated proficiency, while in language arts, a substantial share met the standard. Among tested grades in the county's schools, Jefferson's combined proficiency position places it in the top quartile countywide. The sample size for testing is modest—this grade band covers third graders only—which is typical for an early-elementary school that serves no tested grades beyond third.
Demographically, the enrollment is overwhelmingly white, with a small number of students from other backgrounds. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a modest range of family income levels though not concentrated poverty. The school's total enrollment spans roughly equal cohorts across all four grades, creating a balanced K-3 pipeline. Enrollment data for students with individualized education plans and English learners was not provided, so a parent seeking detail on special services may want to ask the school directly.
Lake Ariel itself is a low-density place where everyday life requires a car. There is no walkable downtown; the village center is a small cluster of businesses and churches along the main road, while residential life spreads across wooded, gated subdivisions and lake-oriented developments. The Hideout, a large planned community with golf, private beaches, and recreation amenities, anchors much of the area's growth. Median home values in the area have climbed moderately, and housing stock is predominantly detached single-family homes. A high seasonal vacancy rate reflects the significant share of second-home owners; the median resident age is around 52, older than most Pennsylvania towns.
The district is investing in its buildings. A solar bond approved by voters will place panels on all five district schools, replace the high school roof, and retrofit lighting districtwide. At the same time, property tax rates rose in both Lackawanna and Wayne County portions of the district for the 2025-26 school year, a meaningful fixed cost for families considering the area.
For a parent of young elementary students, Jefferson offers solid academic performance and a tight-knit rural setting. The school's early-grade proficiency rates suggest engaged instruction in core subjects. The community is quiet, family-oriented, and car-dependent, with most neighbors either year-round residents managing rural life or vacation-home owners. A parent comfortable with that setting and seeking an elementary school with demonstrated proficiency can find it here.
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