The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Math. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Claremont Elementary School
Claremont Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Franklin Park, a census-designated place within Franklin Township, Somerset County. The school is part of the Franklin Township Public School District and operates as a regular public school. Its enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving multiple grades, and it draws from a community that is primarily residential, with a commercial corridor along Route 27, the historic King's Highway, which bisects the area. Route 27 also serves as the main transportation artery and the dividing line between counties. Franklin Park does not have a traditional downtown; schools and civic institutions are distributed along this corridor rather than clustered in a town center. The area retains some historic identity through landmarks like the Six Mile Run Reformed Church, the oldest congregation in Franklin Township, and the Franklin Park Natural Area, a preserve with trails opened to the public in recent years. Population growth has been modest but steady.
The student body at Claremont Elementary is racially and ethnically diverse. A substantial share of students come from Hispanic and Black or African American backgrounds, with a significant Asian population as well. White students make up a smaller portion of the enrollment. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that a considerable segment of the school community comes from lower-income households. The school’s demographic profile reflects the wider community, which is itself diverse: the area has a mix of Asian, Black or African American, White, and Hispanic or Latino residents.
On state assessments administered through the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, proficiency rates across tested subjects and grades are mixed. In mathematics, proficiency is around the midpoint or slightly below at each grade level tested, with some variation by grade. In English language arts, the rates are generally lower, with a notable gap in the third grade. Science results for fifth grade are weaker compared to math and ELA. When placed against other schools relative to districts in Somerset County, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quartile. This is a soft spot that parents may want to investigate further with the school or district to understand the specific instructional supports in place. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and no high school programs such as Advanced Placement, career pathways, or dual-credit courses are offered here. The district brief showed no recent major changes or referenda that would be of immediate note to parents.
Housing in the Franklin Park area reflects a community that is moderately priced for New Jersey. Home values are above the national median but below the state median, and typical rents are substantial. The affordability context, including price-to-income ratios and mortgage rates, suggests that buying a home here requires a higher-than-average income relative to national norms. The community is primarily suburban and car-dependent, though there is some walkability along the Route 27 commercial strip and the nearby Franklin Park Natural Area provides recreational trails.
For a family considering Claremont Elementary, the school offers a regular elementary program in a diverse and moderately sized setting. The academic results indicate areas where the school is working to improve, particularly in English language arts and science. Parents interested in a school with a strong track record of high test scores may want to look closely at the available data and talk with the school about interventions and support. Families who value a diverse student body and a community with a mix of suburban character and historic roots may find Claremont Elementary a comfortable fit. Those seeking broad high school offerings or specialized programs will need to look to the district’s middle and high schools for those opportunities.
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