The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Math. The lowest is 40% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on High Mountain Road School
High Mountain Road School is a regular public elementary school in Franklin Lakes, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. The school sits within the Franklin Lakes School District, a small system that feeds into the regional Ramapo Indian Hills High School District for grades nine through twelve.
Academically, the school posts consistently strong results on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments. In math and English language arts, a high share of students reached or exceeded proficiency in the most recent testing year across grades three, four, and five. When its overall performance is measured against other districts in Bergen County, High Mountain Road School lands in the top quartile. That is a solid showing, and for families focused on foundational elementary skills in reading and mathematics, the data points to a school that is delivering well.
Science results are notably lower. Only a moderate share of fifth graders scored at the proficient level on the state science assessment. That is a single grade-level test, and the school’s strengths in other subjects are clear, but a parent may want to ask the school about its science curriculum and how it prepares students for the middle school years.
The student body is small and largely homogeneous. An overwhelming majority of students are white, with a small Hispanic population and an even smaller Asian population. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, reflecting the community’s overall affluence. Data on students with individualized education plans and English learners was not available, so a parent with specific needs in those areas would want to follow up directly with the school.
Franklin Lakes itself is a predominantly residential, affluent borough in northwestern Bergen County. It is known for large estate-style homes on substantial lots, wooded landscapes, and preserved open space. There is no traditional downtown; civic buildings and schools are spread across separate parcels. The borough is car-dependent, with limited commercial activity and no walkable commercial street life. The most notable employer is Becton Dickinson, a Fortune-ranked medical technology firm headquartered there. Housing values are among the highest in New Jersey, and rents are correspondingly steep. The borough’s large-lot zoning and preservation commitments keep new development constrained, so the community’s growth has been modest and gradual.
The district itself has not reported any major recent changes or initiatives that would reshape the school experience. No referenda, curriculum overhauls, or tax shifts have crossed the four-year lasting-impact bar. For a parent, that means the school’s profile is stable and predictable, for better or worse.
The school environment is what you would expect for a well-funded elementary school in an affluent suburb: small classes, a calm setting, and strong academic foundations in the core tested subjects. The lower science proficiency is the one notable soft spot in an otherwise high-performing picture. For families who can afford the area’s housing costs and value a quiet, low-density community with strong elementary academics, High Mountain Road School fits. For those concerned about science preparation or looking for greater socioeconomic and racial diversity, it may not be the right match.
See more original research from School Decision →