The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in English language arts. The lowest is 37% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Caldwell, a small, dense borough in western Essex County. It is a regular public school within the Caldwell-West School District, a shared district that also includes neighboring West Caldwell. The school sits on a compact site on Crane Street, close to the borough’s walkable downtown core, which features pubs, coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques. Caldwell University, a Catholic liberal arts college, is also nearby, adding a college-town feel to the residential streets.
The student body is relatively small for an elementary school serving six grades. The majority of students are white, with Hispanic students making up a modest share and smaller numbers of students who are Asian, Black, or of two or more races. A small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a notably low rate that signals a predominantly middle- to upper-middle-income peer environment. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source materials.
Academically, Lincoln performs at a level that places it among the stronger schools in the county, when compared relative to districts in Essex County. State test results show a mixed but generally solid picture. In math, the school’s performance is strong in third and fourth grades, where a substantial majority of students meet or exceed the state’s proficiency standard. Fifth-grade math dips noticeably, with a lower share reaching that bar. In English language arts, fourth grade stands out as a clear strength, with a very high rate of proficiency. Third and fifth grade ELA results are more moderate, though still above what many schools in the county achieve. Fifth-grade science results are the weakest area: just over a third of students were proficient, a figure that a parent may want to discuss with the school to understand the curriculum and any supports in place.
Because Lincoln ends at fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. The school offers no high school programs, AP courses, or dual-credit pathways, which is expected for its grade band. No data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing was present in the source materials. The district itself appears stable; a search for recent changes turned up little of lasting impact to note.
The housing market in the area is expensive. Home values are well above national and state benchmarks, and the typical rent is also high, making this a place where housing costs are a major factor for most families considering the school. The borough has seen noticeable population growth in recent years and describes itself as actively attracting new investment downtown, which may mean continued pressure on the housing market.
For a family, Lincoln Elementary offers a solid academic foundation, particularly in math and English in the early and middle elementary grades, within a small, walkable community that has a downtown center and a college presence. The peer group is relatively homogeneous and well-resourced. The softer spots in fifth-grade math and especially in fifth-grade science are the main academic concerns to explore. The school’s size means a parent can likely expect a close-knit environment where staff know students individually. For those looking for a traditional elementary experience in a compact, historic suburb with good test results through most grades, this fits. The high housing costs are the primary barrier to entry.
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