The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in English language arts. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hardyston Township Elementary School
Hardyston Township Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through fourth grade, which means its academic profile covers only the early elementary years. The school is part of the Hardyston Township School District, and children in this district go on to attend Wallkill Valley Regional High School for ninth through twelfth grades once they leave the elementary level. There is no graduation rate for this school because it does not serve high school grades, and state testing data covers only the grades that are tested, third and fourth.
On state assessments, the school’s results show a clear difference between the two tested grade levels. In third grade, a little under half of students scored proficient or above in math, and a similar share did so in English language arts. Fourth graders performed considerably higher in English language arts, where about two-thirds met the proficiency mark. Math in fourth grade remained near the same level as third grade. Overall, when the school’s proficiency across both subjects and both grades is averaged together, it lands above the midpoint among districts in Sussex County. That positions it as a solid, if not top-tier, performer among its neighbors.
The school’s enrollment is on the smaller side, and the student body is predominantly white, with a noticeable Hispanic presence making up the next largest group. A modest number of Asian and Black students round out the enrollment, and the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is relatively low. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
The setting is Franklin, a small borough with a mining past and a working-class, small-town character. The housing stock consists largely of older single-family homes and duplexes on compact lots, and population has been stable to slightly declining over the past couple decades. Route 23 runs through town and is the main commercial corridor, but street life is limited and most errands require a car. The borough is built out within its boundaries, so the growth trajectory is one of stability rather than expansion.
No recent district-level changes of lasting impact were found in publicly available sources, and no program data was provided for this school. That means a parent looking for specific enrichment offerings, afterschool activities, or specialized academic tracks will need to get that information directly from the school.
For a family considering this area, Hardyston Township Elementary School offers a straightforward early elementary option in a quiet, stable community. The fourth-grade English language arts results are a clear strength, while the math numbers across both grades and the third-grade reading results are more moderate and worth a closer conversation with the school about how they support students who are not yet meeting the bar. The low rate of economic disadvantage among the student body is notable, and the school’s size means class groups are likely to be small, which many parents value at this age. The broader context is that this is a static, car-dependent town with a modest residential feel, not a fast-growing suburb with abundant amenities.
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