The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in English language arts. The lowest is 21% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Elementary School
Washington Elementary School is one of three K-through-5 elementary schools in the Hawthorne Public School District, a compact suburban system serving a primarily residential borough in Passaic County. The school sits on Mohawk Avenue in a neighborhood of single-family homes and sidewalks, part of a community that describes itself as having a small-town feel even with New York City within commuting distance via NJ Transit. Many residents leave the borough for work, and the area’s housing stock includes starter homes, new construction, condominiums, and apartments, with an owner-occupied rate that is substantial.
The student body is diverse, with a large share identifying as Hispanic, followed by a smaller share of white students and minimal representation of Black, Asian, and other racial groups. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a benchmark that indicates a community of lower-to-middle household income. The school’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary building, with relatively even class sizes across kindergarten through fifth grade. Special education and English learner population data was not reported in the available records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports and services.
On state assessments administered through the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, Washington Elementary shows a mixed picture across grade levels and subjects. In mathematics, proficiency rates among third and fifth graders fell within a similar range, while fourth-grade math proficiency was notably lower. In English language arts, third and fourth graders had proficiency rates in the same general vicinity, while fifth graders reached a higher rate. Fifth-grade science results were lower, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how science instruction is approached in the upper grades. The school’s overall proficiency index, which combines results across tested subjects and grades, sits above the midpoint when compared to other districts in Passaic County, placing it in the stronger half of the county’s districts for elementary-level academic performance. Because Washington Elementary serves only through grade five, there is no graduation rate to report.
The community context is one of modest, steady growth. Hawthorne added residents over the past several years, with the 2020 census and subsequent estimates showing a slight increase. The borough is small, covering a limited number of square miles, and its population density is high, supporting a walkable neighborhood feel around the downtown corridor. Median home values are high, and median household income is above the county average, though the free and reduced-price lunch rate at the school suggests economic variation within the borough. The housing market in the wider county has shown rising active listings and moderate price increases, but the overall affordability picture is stretched relative to national benchmarks.
The district undertook a major capital investment in recent years. A voter-approved referendum funded health, safety, and security improvements across all five district schools, including HVAC, roofing, windows, security vestibules, and ADA compliance. The state is expected to cover a portion of the debt service. A consequential programmatic change is the shift to full-day kindergarten starting in the 2025-2026 school year, an expansion made possible by the facility upgrades. This change directly affects incoming families comparing elementary options.
No course access, staffing, attendance, or discipline data was available in the records provided, and the school’s Title I status was not reported. A parent visiting the school or reviewing district materials will want to ask about those areas directly. The overall picture is of a solidly performing elementary school in a stable, commuter-oriented borough that has invested in its public school facilities and is expanding early-grade programming. The mix of student demographics and economic background is an important factor for families weighing the peer environment.
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