The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Science. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Thurgood Marshall Elementary School
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School is a regular public school in Irvington, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is one of a dozen schools in the Irvington Public School District, a former Abbott district where the state covers the costs of school construction and renovation. The school is embedded within a densely populated, predominantly residential township that is essentially built out, with growth coming through redevelopment and infill rather than new development.
The student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with a very small number of Asian students and students of two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the district's broader economic context where median household income is relatively low. The school's enrollment is moderate for a PK-05 elementary school, with all grades from pre-K through fifth represented. Pre-kindergarten is the largest grade, which aligns with the district's recent expansion of early childhood education capacity, including the addition of pre-K classrooms.
On state assessments administered through the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, the school's results show that a modest share of students meet the state's proficiency benchmarks in English language arts and a smaller share do so in mathematics. In both subjects, the share of students scoring at proficient levels is relatively low across tested grades. Science results, which are assessed only in fifth grade, are also modest. Compared to other districts in Essex County, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits in the lowest quarter. These results represent a significant challenge for the school. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what academic supports and interventions are in place, particularly given the district's recent investment in expanded STEM programs and new technology equipment across its schools.
As an elementary school, Thurgood Marshall does not have a graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, and course access were not available in the information provided. Similarly, information on special education and English learner populations was missing from the available data, which means a family with a child who has an individualized education plan or is an English learner would want to contact the school directly to learn about specific services and supports.
The Irvington Public School District has emphasized fiscal stability in recent years, approving multiple budgets with no increase to the local tax levy. It has also invested in expanding pre-kindergarten and has requested a state audit of its special education services to improve how it serves students with disabilities. These developments suggest a district that is attentive to both financial management and program quality, though the outcomes on state assessments indicate that raising academic performance remains a work in progress.
Irvington itself is a transit-oriented community with a central business district centered on Springfield Avenue and the Irvington Bus Terminal, one of the major hubs for NJ Transit in the region, offering bus connections to Newark and New York City. The township has a very high population density and limited vacant land, so families moving into the area will find a compact, built environment. Housing values in the area are moderate by Essex County standards, and the rental market is similarly positioned. The township's property tax rate is among the highest in New Jersey, but the school district's no-tax-increase budgets have provided some stability for homeowners.
For a family considering Thurgood Marshall Elementary, the school offers a neighborhood-based setting within a district that is actively working on program expansion and fiscal stability. The academic results on state assessments are a key consideration, and families would benefit from understanding the school's approach to instruction, intervention, and family engagement. The school serves a diverse student body in a community with strong transit connections and a redeveloping commercial core. Without program data, it is unclear what enrichment offerings or specialized academics are available beyond the standard elementary curriculum. A visit to the school and a conversation with the principal would be a sensible next step for any family seeking a fuller picture.
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