The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Math. The lowest is 75% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on North End Elementary School
North End Elementary School serves preschool through fourth grade in Cedar Grove, a primarily residential suburban township in Essex County. The school is one of the elementary buildings within the Cedar Grove Township School District, and because it only covers the early primary grades, there is no graduation rate or high school program to report. State testing data is available for the grades that are assessed.
The school's results on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment place it in a strong position. Across the tested subjects and grades, the overall proficiency rate lands in the top quartile when compared against other districts in Essex County. In grade three math, a large majority of students scored at the proficient or advanced level, and grade four math results were similarly high. English language arts proficiency was also solid, with grade three scores notably strong and grade four results still well above typical county levels. A parent looking at these numbers should come away with a clear picture of a school where academic performance is a clear strength, especially relative to the broader county.
The student body is relatively homogenous. The enrollment is small for a public elementary school. A large majority of students identify as white. Hispanic students make up the next largest group, followed by smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students, along with a handful of students identifying as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and American Indian or Alaska Native. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that is low compared to many schools in the region. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided information, so a family with specific needs in those areas may want to ask the school directly about available supports.
Cedar Grove itself is a place that many current residents describe in terms of its suburban character. The township has grown steadily over recent years, and its housing stock is heavily owner-occupied with home values that reflect the expensive nature of the broader Essex County market. The built environment is car-dependent, with Route 23 serving as the main commercial corridor and commuters facing a typical travel time to work that suggests many residents work outside the township. There is no traditional walkable downtown; municipal and civic uses are spread along the highway. The township maintains a public library and an array of parks, which together with the tree-lined streets form a notable part of the community identity.
In 2021, district voters approved a bond referendum for facilities improvements across the district, including security upgrades, HVAC and roofing work, and classroom renovations. This capital investment affects the physical condition of North End Elementary and the other district schools, and it also has an impact on local property taxes that current and prospective homeowners would want to factor in.
For a family considering this school, the academic picture is the headline. The proficiency rates are high, and the school sits among the top performing elementary programs in its county. The setting is a stable, growing, car-dependent suburb with expensive housing and a strong owner-occupancy rate. The school itself serves a young age range only, so a family with older children would need to look at the district's other schools for later grades. The bond work means facilities have received recent attention, a positive signal about the district's investment in its buildings. A parent whose priority is strong early elementary academics in a small, majority-white, low-poverty suburban school will find a lot to like here.
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