Tobyhanna Elementary Center placed No. 329 among roughly 1,600 Pennsylvania public elementary schools in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings released Oct. 20. That makes the Pocono Pines school the highest-rated elementary in the Pocono Mountain and East Stroudsburg area districts.
The school earned an overall score of 79.49 out of 100. U.S. News rated its reading and math performance "well above expectations."
Fifty-seven percent of Tobyhanna Elementary students scored at or above the proficient level in reading, and 54% hit that mark in math, according to the rankings. Both figures topped the Pocono Mountain School District averages of 47% in reading and 41% in math. The school serves 551 students in grades K-6 with a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio and 100% certified teachers.
How other local schools fared
Five more area elementary schools landed in the statewide rankings:
- Swiftwater Elementary Center (Pocono Mountain School District): No. 478, score 70.17. The K-3 school's 971 students posted 53% proficiency in both reading and math.
- Smithfield Elementary School (East Stroudsburg Area School District): No. 482, score 69.86. Its 327 students scored 57% proficient in reading and 54% in math.
- Chipperfield Elementary School (Stroudsburg Area School District): No. 605, score 62.23. Its 681 students scored 54% proficient in reading and 53% in math.
- East Stroudsburg Elementary School (East Stroudsburg Area School District): No. 640, score 60.04. Its 603 students scored 59% proficient in reading and 49% in math.
- Middle Smithfield Elementary School (East Stroudsburg Area School District): No. 1,023, score 36.09. Its 420 students scored 46% proficient in reading and 34% in math.
Clear Run Elementary Center in Tobyhanna was unranked because the K-2 school had no available state assessment data, according to U.S. News.
How the rankings work
U.S. News said in a statement the 2027 edition ranked about 46,000 public elementary schools and more than 24,000 middle schools nationwide. The methodology evaluates student performance in math and reading alongside student demographic context. Student-teacher ratios break ties.
Eric Brooks, U.S. News director of education data analysis, said the updated approach "uses these data to provide a more comprehensive assessment of student performance in reading and mathematics across all proficiency levels." The rankings draw on data collected by RTI International from state education agencies and the U.S. Department of Education. State assessment data is from the 2023-2024 school year.
Pennsylvania's top 10 elementary schools
For comparison, here are the top-ranked elementary schools statewide:
- Fairview Elementary School, Pittsburgh
- Eisenhower Elementary School, Pittsburgh
- Baker Elementary School, Pittsburgh
- Merion Elementary School, Merion Station
- Hosack Elementary School, Allison Park
- Ohara Elementary School, Pittsburgh
- Pleasant Valley Elementary School, McMurray
- Penn Valley School, Narberth
- Donaldson Elementary School, Oakdale
- Conshohocken Elementary School, Conshohocken
Pocono Mountain School District superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Robison leads the district that includes Tobyhanna Elementary and Swiftwater Elementary, according to the district's administration page. The full rankings and individual school profiles are available at usnews.com.
