The top reported proficiency rate is 88% in English language arts. The lowest is 63% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hillside Elementary School
Hillside Elementary School is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Livingston, a suburban township in Essex County. It is one of six elementary schools in the Livingston Board of Education School District. The school occupies its own campus in a residential neighborhood, as school buildings are distributed across the township rather than concentrated in a downtown.
By every available academic measure, Hillside posts very strong results. On the state’s NJSLA assessments, students in third, fourth, and fifth grade show high proficiency rates in both English language arts and mathematics. In ELA, the share of students meeting or exceeding standards is high at every tested grade, and in math it is similarly strong. Science is tested at fifth grade only, and while the proficiency rate there is solid, it is somewhat lower than the reading and math figures – a pattern that is common in elementary science testing and one a parent may want to discuss with the school. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages performance across all tested subjects and grades, places it in the top quartile of districts in Essex County. That is a clear strength.
Enrollment at Hillside is moderate for a K-5 school, with roughly balanced class sizes across the grades. The student body is notably affluent. A very small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the high median household income in the township. The racial and ethnic composition is diverse, with Asian students making up a substantial portion, White students also a large share, and smaller numbers of students who are Hispanic, Black, of two or more races, or American Indian or Alaska Native.
Livingston itself is a high-cost community. Median home values and rents are well above national levels, and a large majority of residents own their homes. The housing market is competitive, with limited new supply in a largely built-out suburb. The township is car-dependent and oriented toward commuting; many residents work in New York City or other regional job centers. Saint Barnabas Medical Center is a major local employer. Civic life is organized around volunteer boards, recreation programs, and the school system, which is widely regarded as a draw for families.
The school district is in the midst of a significant capital project. In late 2024, voters approved a referendum to build additional classrooms at multiple elementary schools to expand full-day kindergarten for all students. Construction is expected to wrap up by the fall of 2026. The district also adopted a budget for the 2025-26 school year that includes a tax levy increase, reflecting ongoing investment in facilities and programs. For a family with children entering the elementary grades, this timeline means Hillside will be part of a district that is actively expanding its early childhood offerings.
Hillside serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate or secondary course access to report. State testing participation rates were not reported in the available data, which is a gap a parent may want to verify directly with the school.
This is a school for a family that prioritizes high academic performance in an affluent, high-cost suburban setting. The academic results are consistently strong across tested subjects and grades, placing Hillside among the top-performing elementary schools in its county. The student population is economically homogenous, with a very low share of poverty. The community is suburban, car-dependent, and centered on schools and civic organizations. The school itself has no unusual designations – it is a regular neighborhood school – and the district is actively investing in facilities to meet growing demand from families with young children. For a family that can afford the area’s housing market, Hillside offers a straightforward, high-achieving academic pathway through the elementary years.
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