In April 1834, the Free School Law was passed and the Secretary of the Commonwealth acted as the head of what was called the Common School System for the next three years. At that point a separate Department of Schools was created with a Superintendent of Common Schools as its head. In 1873 the title was changed to Superintendent of Public Instruction, and more responsibility was given to the Superintendent. Somewhere along the way the title was tweaked again to become the Department of Public Instruction. In 1969, the name was finally changed to the Department of Education (DOE) and it is now headed by the Secretary of Education.
The mission of the Pennsylvania Department of Education is to provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of education. As part of its responsibilities, the DOE develops and administers educational policies, administer laws enacted by the General Assembly and federal government, manages continuing education to ensure quality personnel at all levels, and much more. 
Among the school districts it oversees in the Poconos Area include: | Districts: | Public Schools Schools: | Towns Served: | East Stroudsburg Area School District (K-12)
321 North Courtland Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-0298
Phone: 570-420-8300 / Fax: 570-424-4877 | - JM Hill Elementary
- East Stroudsburg Elementary
- Smithfield Elementary
- Middle Smithfield Elementary
- Resica Elementary
- Bushkill Elementary
- JT Lambert Intermediate
- Lehman Intermediate
- East Stroudsburg High School South
- East Stroudsburg High School North
| - Bushkill
- Dingmans Ferry
- East Stroudsburg
- Middle Smithfield
- Smithfield
| Pleasant Valley School District
(K-12)
Rte. 115
Brodheadsville, PA 18322
Phone: 570-402-1000, ext. 1209 | - Pleasant Valley High School (10-12)
- Pleasant Valley Middle School (8-9)
- Pleasant Valley Intermediate (5-7)
- Pleasant Valley Elementary (K-4)
- Elred Elementary (K-4)
- Polk Elementary (K-4)
- Chestnuthill Elementary (K-2)
| - Brodheadsville
- Effort
- Jonas
- Kunkletown
- Kresgeville
| Pocono Mountain School District
(K-12)
P.O. Box 200
Swiftwater, PA 18370
Phone: 570- 839-7121 | - Barrett Elementary Center
- Clear Run Elementary Center
- Coolbaugh Elementary & Learning Centers
- Pocono Elementary Center
- Swiftwater Elementary
- Tobyhanna Elementary
- Clear Run Intermediate School
- Swiftwater Intermediate School
- Pocono Mountain Academy
- Pocono Mountain East Junior High School
- Pocono Mountain West High School
| - Barrett
- Coolbaugh
- Jackson
- Paradise
- Pocono
- Swiftwater
- Tobyhanna
- Tunkhannock
- Borough of Mount Pocono
- Tannersville
| Stroudsburg Area School District (K-12)
123 Linden Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Phone: 570-421-1990 / Fax: 570-424-5986 | - Stroudsburg High School (10-12)
- Stroudsburg Junior High School (8-9)
- Stroudsburg Middle School (5-7)
- Stroudsburg Intermediate/Elementary
(3-4) - Arlington Elementary (K-2)
- Clearview Elementary (K-2)
- Hamilton Elementary (K-2)
- B.F. Morey Elementary (K-2)
- W.H. Ramsey Elementary (K-2)
| - Stroudsburg
- Sciota
- Delaware Water Gap
- Hamilton Township
- Parts of Saylorsbug
- Stroud Township
|
Private Schools
East Stroudsburg Christian Academy (Pre-K to 12) Monsignor McHugh (Pre-K to 8) P.O. Box 208 P.O. Box 1780
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Cresco, PA 18326
Phone: 570-421-4087 570-595-7463 Charter School (6-12) Notre Dame Elementary School (Pre-K to 8) P.O. Box 523 78 Ridgeway Street
Mountain Home, PA 18342 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Phone: 570-595-6355 / Fax: 570-595-6038 570-421-3651
Email: evergreen@ptd.net |