The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in Math. The lowest is 68% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cedar Hill School
Cedar Hill School is a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade public school in Basking Ridge, part of the Bernards Township School District. It sits within a community that functions as a commercial hub for northern-central New Jersey and a commuter town for New York City, shaped by major employers such as Verizon Wireless and Collabera, with a historic downtown district and county parks nearby. The school itself was built on a broad campus alongside the district’s high school, reflecting the area’s pattern of modern school facilities set apart from the historic core.
State testing results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments show a pattern of strong academic performance that strengthens as students move through the grades. In math, the share of students meeting or exceeding proficiency rises markedly from third through fifth grade, with the fifth-grade group performing at a very high level. English language arts results follow a similar trajectory: the fourth and fifth grades post strong proficiency rates, while the third-grade ELA results are notably lower—a soft spot a parent may want to ask the school about, especially since the district recently adopted a new K–5 literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading framework, fully implemented starting in the 2023–2024 school year. Science results for fifth grade are solid, though not at the same level as math and ELA in that grade. Taken together, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile among districts in Somerset County, a sign of strong academic footing.
The student body is diverse in racial and ethnic background, with a substantial share of students who are white and another substantial share who are Asian, alongside smaller shares of Hispanic students and students of two or more races. The share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, reflecting the high-income character of the community. Housing in the 07920 zip code commands a high price, typical of this part of New Jersey, and rents are steep. For families considering a move, the housing market here is a major factor: the cost of entry is well above state and national benchmarks. The district’s 2024–25 budget included a tax levy increase within the state cap, and the average homeowner’s annual school tax bill is substantial. Voters approved a referendum in 2022 for infrastructure improvements across all six district schools—HVAC, roofs, windows, security—so facilities have seen recent investment.
Because Cedar Hill serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate or high school outcomes to consider. Data on chronic absenteeism and special populations such as students with IEPs or English learners was not available in the provided records, so a reader may want to follow up with the school directly on those topics. Staffing and class size information were also absent.
This school fits a family looking for a high-performing elementary school in a well-resourced, established suburban community with strong connections to New York City employment. The academic results are consistently strong, especially in upper elementary, and the district has made recent curriculum updates in early literacy. The peer environment is one of low economic diversity and high parental investment. The main barriers are the cost of housing and the relatively high property taxes. For a family already in Bernards Township or planning to buy there, Cedar Hill offers a solid elementary foundation in a district that feeds into a top-performing middle and high school track.
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