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Shenango River in Jefferson TownshipPhoto: Nyttend · Public domain
A−
Schools in Jefferson Township · Mercer Area School District

Jefferson Township’s public schools outscore 76% of Pennsylvania districts

46% of students in Jefferson Township’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Jefferson Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
67%
▲ 12 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
46%
▲ 10 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.5K
▼ 24% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.0
PA 13.4
Schools in town
0
985 students on the public path
In brief

Jefferson Township’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1989 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Jefferson Township’s, its schools beat 81%, higher than their 76% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 67% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,473 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Mercer Area MS, then Mercer Area SHS. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Jefferson Township’s grade

A− Test scoresC+ Graduation

A−: better than 76% of Pennsylvania school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 76%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1989)Better than 81%
Towns in Mercer County (31)Better than 55%
BAA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 518 test results and a graduating class of 84 could put Jefferson Township anywhere from B to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Jefferson Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (504 in math, 531 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Jefferson Township, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–6Mercer Area El Schin MercerB+
7–8Mercer Area MSin MercerB−
9–12Mercer Area SHSin MercerA−

Jefferson Township’s public schools are run by Mercer Area School District, which also serves Coolspring, East Lackawannock, Findley and Mercer. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading67%
State average 55.1% · 531 students tested
Math46%
State average 36.1% · 504 students tested

Jefferson Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Jefferson Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Jefferson TownshipA−Mercer Area
DelawareBReynolds
CoolspringA−Mercer Area
LackawannockA−West Middlesex Area

Every school in Jefferson Township

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Jefferson Townshipin other towns

Questions about Jefferson Township’s schools

Are Jefferson Township’s schools good?

By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools Jefferson Township children attend outscore 76% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Jefferson Township in?

Mercer Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 985 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Jefferson Township kids go to high school?

Mercer Area SHS in Mercer, with 282 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Jefferson Township’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Mercer Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Jefferson Township spend per student?

$16,473 in Mercer Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Jefferson Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Jefferson Township → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.