The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School serves grades three through five in East Hanover, a suburban Morris County township that is largely built out and land-constrained. The community is a mix of residential neighborhoods and significant commercial and industrial development, anchored by the North American headquarters of Novartis and Mondelez International. Route 10 is the main commercial corridor, and the township is car-oriented with no traditional downtown. The population has been essentially flat in recent years, and the township describes itself as largely developed with limited room for new growth. Housing values in the area are high, and the local market has been active.
Central Elementary is one of three schools in the East Hanover Township School District, sitting between Frank J. Smith Elementary (grades PreK–2) and East Hanover Middle School (grades 6–8). High school students attend Hanover Park Regional High School, which is shared with neighboring Hanover Township and located outside East Hanover. The school itself is a regular public school serving grades three through five, and its enrollment is moderate for that grade band. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic minority and a smaller Asian population. A very small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a notably low rate.
State testing results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments show a mixed picture that varies by grade and subject. In math, fourth graders posted a strong proficiency rate, while third and fifth graders were at more moderate levels. In English language arts, fourth graders again performed at a high level, with a strong majority meeting proficiency. Fifth graders were at a solid level, while third graders were at a lower rate that a parent may want to look into further with the school. In science, which is tested only in fifth grade, the proficiency rate was lower, and a parent may want to ask the school about science instruction. The school's overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits just below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Morris County, placing it in the middle of the pack among its county peers.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, special education identification, and English learner populations were not available in the data provided, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those areas.
The district recently passed a bond referendum for infrastructure, safety, and capital improvements across all three schools, which voters approved. The housing market in the area is expensive, with home values well above national benchmarks, and the rental market is also high. The township is largely built out with limited room for new development, and the population has been stable. For a family considering this school, the academic picture is one of solid performance in the middle grades with some variation by subject and grade level, set within a high-cost, suburban community that is established and not growing rapidly.
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