The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in Math. The lowest is 70% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Central School
Central School is one of four elementary schools in the Glen Rock Public School District, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a regular public school situated in a primarily residential borough in Bergen County. For families considering this school, the central question is how its academic performance, community setting, and school environment fit the needs of a young child.
The school reported strong academic results on the state’s NJSLA assessments. In mathematics, students in grades three through five demonstrated high levels of proficiency. In English language arts, results were similarly strong, with the share of students meeting or exceeding state standards increasing at each grade level. Fifth-grade science results were also solid. When measured against other school districts in Bergen County, Central School’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile. This is a clear strength of the school; academic performance is high relative to a large peer group of county districts.
The student body is small for an elementary school. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly white, with a smaller share of Asian students and smaller shares of Hispanic students and students of two or more races. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, which is consistent with the borough’s high-income profile. Glen Rock residents have a median household income that is more than double the statewide median, as publicly reported. The community is a densely settled borough with a walkable small commercial core, two train stations providing rail service to Hoboken and connections to New York City, and several bus routes. Housing values in the area are high.
Because Central School serves only elementary grades, it does not have a graduation rate. Similarly, data on chronic absenteeism and on the share of students with disabilities or who are English learners were not available in the data. A parent may want to ask the school about these topics directly.
The Glen Rock district has recently completed a multi-year phase-in of full-day kindergarten, which was fully funded for the first time in the 2024-25 budget. This is a program change that directly affects families with children entering the district. The 2024-25 budget also included a property tax increase, reflecting growing expenditures for new staff positions and the full-day kindergarten program.
Glen Rock is a stable, built-out community with modest population growth in the last census and a slight decline in the most recent estimate. The schools are distributed throughout the borough and integrated into the residential fabric, not located on a single separated campus. Central School itself sits within this residential setting.
Overall, Central School offers a high-performing academic environment in a community that is affluent, walkable, and well connected by transit. The very low share of students from low-income households and the high housing costs mean the school serves a relatively narrow economic band. The recent district investment in full-day kindergarten adds a support for working families. The picture is of a school that delivers strong foundational academics for its students.
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