The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in Math. The lowest is 33% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School is one of three K-5 buildings in the Hawthorne Public School District, a small, primarily residential borough in Passaic County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and operates as a regular public school. Because it serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the academic picture comes entirely from state assessment results in math, English language arts, and science.
On state testing, Thomas Jefferson’s results place the school in the top quartile for overall proficiency relative to districts in Passaic County. In math, proficiency rates across third, fourth, and fifth grade are solid, with the highest share of students meeting the bar in fourth grade. English language arts results follow a similar pattern, with fourth and fifth graders posting stronger numbers than third graders. Science, which is tested only in fifth grade, shows a softer result; a smaller share of students reached the proficiency threshold compared to math and ELA. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how science instruction is structured across the elementary years.
The student body is diverse. White students make up the largest share, followed by a substantial Hispanic population, and smaller groups of Asian students, students of two or more races, and Black students. About one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is on the lower side for the county. Data on students with individualized education plans and English learners was not reported in the available records.
Hawthorne itself is a compact, densely populated suburb that markets a small-town feel despite its proximity to New York City. The housing stock includes starter homes, new construction, condominiums, and apartments, with a high owner-occupancy rate. A significant portion of the workforce commutes out of the borough for work. The downtown area around Lafayette Avenue and Diamond Bridge Avenue, anchored by the train station and the library, provides a walkable core, though car dependency is still the norm for most errands and commutes. The borough is experiencing modest population growth, and median home values and household incomes are above the county medians, reflecting a relatively affluent commuter base.
For the district as a whole, two recent developments are directly relevant to families considering Thomas Jefferson. Voters approved a substantial referendum in 2022 to fund health, safety, and security upgrades across all five district schools, including HVAC, roofing, windows, and security vestibules, with a portion of the cost expected to be covered by state aid. Separately, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the district will offer full-day kindergarten for the first time, shifting from a half-day program. This change was enabled by the facility improvements funded through the referendum.
Thomas Jefferson offers a solid academic foundation in the early grades, with math and ELA results that are strong relative to the county. The science score is a clear area where performance is lower, and families who prioritize elementary science instruction may want to ask about curriculum and support. The school serves a diverse student body in a stable, commuter-oriented suburb that is investing in its facilities and expanding its early childhood program.
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