Excellent
#129 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 5% in state
Fairfield Area EL Sch
Elementary School · Fairfield Area SD
4842 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield, PA 17320
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairfield
#1 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#107 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 3
Fairfield Area SD
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Fairfield Area EL Sch
Fairfield Area EL Sch is a public elementary school in Fairfield, PA, part of the Fairfield Area SD. The school serves approximately 364 students in grades Kindergarten – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.5th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 60% proficiency in math, 13 points above the state average and 66% in reading/language arts, 12 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $87,321, where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Fairfield Area EL Sch may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Fairfield Area EL Sch — Students at Fairfield Area EL Sch score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Fairfield Area EL Sch Compares
See how Fairfield Area EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 65.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 64.6% (2024).
Location
4842 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield, PA 17320
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fairfield Area EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Emmitsburg Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Emmitsburg), with a very similar rating. Another option is Thurmont Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Thurmont), with a comparable rating. Additionally, James Gettys El Sch (rated 7.8/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Gettysburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Area HS Fairfield | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Fairfield Area MS Fairfield | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Emmitsburg Elementary Emmitsburg | 5.7 mi | 8.9 |
| MOTHER SETON SCHOOL Emmitsburg | 5.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Franklin Twp El Sch Cashtown | 7.1 mi | 5.0 |
| WELLSPRING CHRISTIAN FAMILY SCHOOL Sabillasville | 7.0 mi | 2.5 |
| Sabillasville Environmental School Sabillasville | 7.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Cascade Elementary Cascade | 7.6 mi | 3.5 |
| ABRAXAS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM South Mountain | 7.8 mi | 8.5 |
| South Mountain Secure Trmnt Un South Mountain | 7.8 mi | — |
| ABRAXAS YOUTH CENTER South Mountain | 7.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Catoctin High Thurmont | 9.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Lincoln El Sch Gettysburg | 8.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Gettysburg Area MS Gettysburg | 8.6 mi | 4.2 |
| James Gettys El Sch Gettysburg | 9.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Thurmont Middle Thurmont | 11.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Vida CS Gettysburg | 9.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Thurmont Elementary Thurmont | 11.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Thurmont Primary Thurmont | 11.4 mi | 4.9 |
| GETTYSBURG SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Gettysburg | 9.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,321
Median Home Value
$283,000
Median Rent
$1,252/mo
Population
8,103
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
88.4%
Avg Commute
35.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
45.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fairfield Area EL Sch has a median household income of $87,321. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,000, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blair Mill Elementary Hatboro, PA | 8.7 |
| Canton Area El Sch Canton, PA | 8.7 |
| East Bradford El Sch West Chester, PA | 8.7 |
| East Petersburg El Sch East Petersburg, PA | 8.7 |
| Eisenhower El Sch Russell, PA | 8.7 |
| Fort Washington El Sch Fort Washington, PA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fairfield Area EL Sch
What grades does Fairfield Area EL Sch serve?
Fairfield Area EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Fairfield Area EL Sch?
Fairfield Area EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Area EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Area EL Sch is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fairfield Area EL Sch rank in PA?
Fairfield Area EL Sch is ranked #129 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Fairfield Area EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Fairfield Area EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Fairfield Area EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairfield Area EL Sch has 59.6% math proficiency and 65.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fairfield Area EL Sch a charter school?
No, Fairfield Area EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fairfield Area EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Fairfield Area EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fairfield Area EL Sch?
40.9% of students at Fairfield Area EL Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 364
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (717) 642-8228
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfield Area SD- District Enrollment
- 940
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,642
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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