The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on South End Elementary School
South End Elementary serves students in prekindergarten through fourth grade as part of the Cedar Grove Township School District, a regular public school in Essex County. The school is located in Cedar Grove, a primarily residential suburban municipality that has been characterized by its parks, street trees, and a high rate of owner-occupied housing. Route 23 serves as the main commercial corridor, and the township is car-dependent, with a commuter population that travels for work. Cedar Grove has seen steady population growth in recent years, and the housing market is relatively expensive, with home values well above national and state benchmarks.
The school itself is a strong performer academically, scoring in the top quartile of schools across Essex County in overall proficiency, based on comparison among the county’s districts. This high performance is reflected in state testing results. In math, the share of third graders reaching proficiency was high, and fourth graders performed similarly well. In English language arts, fourth graders also posted strong proficiency results, with the third-grade results being solid as well. Parents looking at these results can expect a school where most students are meeting or exceeding state standards in both math and reading at these tested grade levels.
South End serves a student body of moderate size for an elementary school in the area. The student population is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic population, a smaller Asian population, and very small shares of Black or multiracial students. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is small, which points to a relatively affluent student body. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the reports reviewed, so families with children needing these services should check directly with the school about the level of support available.
Because South End only serves up to fourth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer the kind of advanced coursework or career pathways found at the high school level. Families will be considering this school within the context of the full K-12 pathway the district provides. The district, Cedar Grove Township School District, approved a school bond referendum to fund facility improvements including security upgrades, HVAC and roofing work, and classroom renovations, which represents a capital investment that affects both school facilities and local property taxes. A family moving into the area should anticipate that their child would attend this elementary school and then continue to the district’s upper-grade schools.
The community context matters here: Cedar Grove lacks a traditional walkable downtown, with municipal and civic uses distributed along the highway corridor. The township is highly car-dependent. The area’s population has been growing, and home values are well above national averages, suggesting strong demand for housing in this township. A family considering a move to the area for the school should expect a suburban, residential environment with a strong tax base and a high-performing elementary school at its center.
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