Original Research by School Decision on Franklin School
Franklin School is one of six primary schools in Lyndhurst that serve kindergarten through second grade. The district then moves students to separate schools for grades three through five, then to Lyndhurst Middle School, and finally to Lyndhurst High School. Because Franklin School only covers the earliest years, it does not produce state test results or a graduation rate. Those metrics do not apply to a school whose oldest students are seven years old.
The school's enrollment is small for a public elementary school, reflecting the grade band it serves. The student body is largely split between two groups: Hispanic students and white students each make up a substantial share of the population. Asian students and students who identify with two or more races are present in smaller numbers. A significant share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is the standard measure of economic need in public schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the public record.
The community context matters for a family choosing this school. Lyndhurst is a primarily residential township in Bergen County, with a mix of single-family homes and neighborhood commercial strips. It has a suburban, car-oriented feel rather than a walkable downtown. The Lyndhurst station on NJ Transit's Main Line provides rail service, giving some transit access near the station area. Housing values in the area are high relative to national benchmarks, and a family looking to buy or rent should expect a significant cost commitment. The housing supply score is elevated, meaning there is a high number of active listings relative to what is typical, which may give buyers more options than they would find in many nearby communities. Demand is moderate by comparison. Monthly rental costs are substantial, and the estimated mortgage payment for a median-priced home is even higher, so renting is the more affordable path here.
The district filed a Long-range Facilities Plan major amendment with the state, which signals a notable investment in school buildings and infrastructure across all nine district schools. That could mean physical improvements to Franklin School itself, though specific details of what the plan covers were not provided in the available public record.
For a parent assessing this school, the central fact is its limited grade span. A child would attend Franklin School for only three years. The experience there is an introduction to formal schooling with a small peer group. The feeder pattern means a family will navigate multiple school transitions before high school. There is no academic achievement data to evaluate because the state does not test these grades. The school's economic diversity is apparent from the share of students receiving meal assistance, and the racial and ethnic composition is balanced between two large groups with smaller representation from others. A parent considering this school should look into how the district coordinates curriculum across its K-2 buildings and how the transition to the grades 3-5 schools works in practice, since that continuity will shape a child's full elementary experience.
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