The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Roosevelt School #7
Roosevelt School #7 is one of several elementary schools in the Garfield Public School District, serving children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school sits in a densely populated, mixed-use city in Bergen County, where residential neighborhoods of single- and multi-family homes meet commercial corridors. Garfield has a working-class heritage tied to its riverside location, a diverse population, and a relatively young median age. The school itself is a regular public school integrated into a residential area, not a magnet or charter.
Academically, the most recent state testing results present a mixed picture. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places Roosevelt School #7 below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Bergen County, a county with many high-performing school systems. That said, performance varies by grade and subject. In third-grade math, about a third of students met proficiency standards on the New Jersey state assessment. By fourth grade that figure improved modestly, and in fifth grade a clear majority of students hit the bar. A similar trajectory appears in English language arts, where third graders were around the halfway mark, fourth graders reached the majority level, and fifth graders posted a strong result, with roughly three out of four students scoring proficient or above. Fifth-grade science, tested on a different scale, showed about a third of students proficient. The upward trend from third to fifth grade in both math and reading is a positive signal, suggesting students who stay in the school may build academic momentum. Parents may want to ask the school about how it supports students who are not yet on track in the early elementary years.
The student body of about several hundred children reflects the diversity of the city. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families face economic pressures. The largest group of students is Hispanic, followed by White students, Black students, and small numbers of Asian and multiracial students. The school serves a pre-kindergarten program, which can be a factor for families seeking early childhood education within the public system. Data on the share of students with disabilities or English learner status were not available in the record; a parent may want to contact the school to understand the support services available.
Garfield is a compact city with a high population density, a grid street pattern, and a mix of detached homes, two-family houses, and small apartment buildings. The city has more than twenty places of worship, a YMCA, a Boys and Girls Club, a recreation center, and a public library. Commercial activity runs along major roads rather than a single downtown core. Dahnert's Lake County Park sits in the center of the city and serves as a geographic anchor. Housing values and rents in the area are moderate relative to the high end of Bergen County, but the county-wide market is expensive with limited inventory. For families moving to the area, the school sits within a district where one elementary school earned National Blue Ribbon status in 2023, though that school is not Roosevelt School #7. The city's population has grown in recent decades, though the closure of a major paper mill marked an economic transition. Environmental cleanup at a Superfund site is ongoing.
For a parent trying to understand whether this school fits, Roosevelt School #7 offers a neighborhood elementary experience in a dense, diverse, working-class community. The academic trajectory through the grades shows improvement, with the strongest performance coming in fifth grade reading. The school's proficiency levels are below the county midpoint, a fact that matters most for families who place a high priority on top-tier test scores. The school serves a population with significant economic diversity, and the pre-kindergarten program is an asset for families with young children. What is not in the record are details on class sizes, special education services, English learner supports, or enrichment programs; a parent would need to tour and ask about these directly.
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