The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Math. The lowest is 30% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincolnway El Sch
Lincolnway Elementary serves grades two and three in York and is a regular public school within the West York Area School District. The school sits in a small historic Pennsylvania city that has been undergoing downtown revitalization, with growth in residential development spreading into the surrounding townships.
Academically, Lincolnway's state testing results show proficiency rates well below the midpoint among York County districts. In math, around two in five third-graders tested met the state's proficiency standard. In English language arts, the rate was lower, with roughly three in ten students meeting proficiency. These results place the school in the bottom quartile of county schools on overall proficiency. A parent may want to discuss with the school what targeted supports exist for students not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks, and whether specialized interventions are in place, particularly in reading and early literacy foundations that feed into upper grades.
The student body is economically diverse. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is split almost evenly between students who identify as white and those who identify as Hispanic, with smaller enrollments of Black students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. American Indian and Native Hawaiian students represent single-digit enrollments. The school does not report counts or rates for students receiving special education services or English-language learners, so a family curious about the availability of those programs or services would need to ask the school directly.
The housing market around York is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks. Home values in the school's zip code sit below the Pennsylvania average, and rental costs similarly run below state norms. The affordability ratio for purchase versus rental tips toward renting in this market. The area has room for growth: major residential developments are underway or approved in York Township, including multiple townhome and single-family projects. Downtown York itself is seeing investment in mixed-use conversions and new civic anchors like the recently opened York County History Center.
The district is in a transition period on finances and staffing. The board approved a budget with a substantial deficit for the 2026-27 school year and converted full-time student aide positions to part-time. Those aides work with students who have individualized education programs and students learning English, so families with children in those categories would feel that shift directly in classroom support. The district also signaled that after holding the line on tax increases for several years, property tax raises may be needed to fund an approved athletic facilities project and cover growing operational costs.
Grade-level state testing data is limited to the few grades tested in Pennsylvania; the school serves only second and third grade, so its profile reflects only third-grade results. Trend data across years was not available, so a parent cannot see whether performance is moving up, down, or stable. The school's size is small relative to typical elementary schools statewide, and its early-grade focus means there is no information about upper-elementary or middle-school trajectories for students who continue in the district.
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